Research Funding

Moebius Syndrome Foundation

The Moebius Syndrome Foundation is committed to funding research into the cause of Moebius syndrome and its associated conditions, per the Foundation’s mission statement. As of 2025, the Foundation has provided $1,517,284.07 in research funding for numerous research grants and ten research symposiums (2007, 2010, 2012, 2014, 2016, 2018, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2025).

Funding Priorities of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation

To advance the diagnosis, treatment, and/or quality of life of people with Moebius syndrome and its associated conditions.
To promote sustainable and comprehensive programs of research focused on Moebius syndrome by providing “seed funds” for larger research programs and grant submissions to larger funding organizations.

Research Grants

Research grant opportunities are not available at this time, but please check back periodically for updates. To learn more about applying for a research grant, please email Kathryn Kraus, M.D., Research Committee Chair, and member of the Moebius Syndrome Foundation Board of Directors, for more information. kathryn@moebiussyndrome.org

Scientific Research Grants Awarded by the Moebius Syndrome Foundation

2025

Rachel Grob, Ph.D., MA (primary investigator), and Jane Evered, Ph.D., RN (co-investigator), University of Wisconsin - Madison, $100,000

Learning from Adults and Parents of Children Living with Moebius Syndrome: A Rigorous Qualitative Study

2025

Elizabeth Norton, Ph.D. (primary investigator), Judith Licht, Ph.D. candidate (co-investigator), Megan Roberts, Ph.D., CCC-SLP (co-investigator), Northwestern University, $100,000

Leveraging Community and Professional Expertise to Accurately Characterize Early Communication Development in Children with Moebius Syndrome

2021

Jessica Dietch,PhD, Oregon State University: $30,000

Sleep Health of Children and Adults With Moebius Syndrome

2020

Kathleen Bogart, PhD, Oregon State University: $24,344

Disclosing Moebius Syndrome and Other Facial Differences

Gregory Borschel, M.D. Riley Hospital for Children: $210,000

Surgical Treatment To Enhance Dynamic Eyelid Closure in Patients With Moebius Syndrome

Webinar update on this research provided on April 1, 2026.

2019

Zhongyang Thomas Zhang, PhD, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine: $160,000

Genetic and Environmental Factors in Moebius Syndrome and Related Disorders

2018

Bryn Webb, MD, Mt. Sinai School of Medicine: $160,000

Determining Genetic Etiologies of Facial Nerve Maldevelopment

2016

Irini Manoli, Ph.D., M.D., National Institutes of Health: $150,000

Multidisciplinary Phenotyping of Moebius Syndrome and Other Congenital Facial Weakness Disorders

Alan Tenney, Ph.D., Boston Children’s Hospital, Engle Lab: $100,000

Facial Motor Neuron and Axon Development

2015

G. Borschel, M.D. & R. Zuker, M.D., Hospital for Sick Children: $124,000

Examining the Long-term Outcomes of Facial Reanimation in Young Adults with Moebius

2012

Rosanna Weksberg, M.D.; Hospital for Sick Children: $16,265

Genome-Wide Epigenetic Profiling in Moebius Syndrome

Wendy Roberts, MD; Hospital for Sick Children: $49,400

Pilot Service Delivery Model for Early Detection and Intervention for Risk Markers of Social Communication Disorders in Very Young Children With Moebius Syndrome

Elizabeth Engle, M.D., Boston Children’s Hospital: $27,000

Diagnostic Distinctions and Genetic Analysis of Patients Diagnosed With Moebius Syndrome

2011

Ethylin Wang Jabs, M.D.; Mt. Sinai School of Medicine: $40,000

Genetics of Moebius Syndrome

2008

Ethylin Wang Jabs, M.D.; Mt. Sinai School of Medicine: $26,500

Genetics of Moebius Syndrome

2005

Wendy Roberts, M.D.; Hospital for Sick Children: $34,000

A Genetic and Phenotypic Understanding of Moebius Syndrome

Sara Rosenfeld Johnson, Talk Tools, LLC: $55,030

Effectiveness of Oral-Motor Therapy for Children With Moebius Syndrome

Ethylin Wang Jabs, M.D., Johns Hopkins School of Medicine: $26,500