Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation Blog

January 8, 2026

Thankuary: A Month of Gratitude from the RLS Foundation

January is Thankuary - a campaign that emphasizes appreciation and gratitude following the busy holiday season. During Thankuary, we take time to recognize the incredible people who make our mission possible. Every step forward in awareness, education, advocacy and research happens because of a community that shows up with compassion, devotion and hope.

To our members, thank you for being the heart of our community and for trusting us with your stories, your voices, and your continued support.

To our volunteers and Board of Directors, we extend our deepest thanks to those who generously give their time, talents and leadership to support our work in so many ways.

To the healthcare professionals on our Scientific and Medical Advisory Board and Quality Care Center certified clinicians, we are thankful for your expertise and compassionate care for people living with RLS.

And to the RLS Foundation advocates and staff, we are profoundly grateful to your commitment to improving the lives of those living with this often-devastating condition.

Thankuary is a reminder that none of this work happens alone. Follow us on social media as we highlight our community throughout this month on Facebook and Instagram. Together, we are building a stronger, more informed, and more hopeful future for everyone affected by RLS. Thank you for being part of the RLS Foundation community.

January 6, 2026

Hill Day 2026 FAQ

The RLS Foundation is hosting its annual Hill Day event on Monday, March 23. Hill Day is an opportunity to unite with fellow RLS community members to meet with legislative staffers and advocate for key issues. This is an all day in-person event, coordinated with the Health and Medicine Counsel of DC (HMC), an organization that guides the Foundation's advocacy efforts. We'd love to have you join us on Capitol Hill! Read through the FAQ below, or please email adrianna@rls.org with additional questions or concerns.

Agenda: Monday, March 23, 2026*

8:00 AM: Welcome Session at Health and Medicine Counsel: 50 F St NW, Suite 730, Washington, DC

8:45 AM: Walk to US Capitol Hill for group photo

9:15 AM: Walk to Russell Senate Office Building: 2 Constitution Ave NE, Washington, DC

9:30 – 12:00 PM: Senate Meetings

12:00 - 1:00 PM: Lunch in Senate Building Basement Cafeteria

1:00 PM: Walk to Rayburn House Office Building: 45 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC

1:30 - 4:00 PM: House Meetings

4:00 PM: Debrief

*This schedule is tentative and may change based on office availability.

Preparation

What are we advocating for?

Put simply, we are advocating for increased funding for RLS research, enhanced awareness and education, and protected access to crucial therapies for refractory RLS which may include opioids. See the legislative agenda for details.

What should I bring with me?

A valid ID is required to enter all government buildings. Bring any notes you have prepared to share with legislators. You can take a small bag with your wallet, ID, camera, portable phone charger, or other personal effects. Water and unopened snacks are permitted inside the building. Prohibited items include perfumes, pepper spray, aerosol containers, weapons, backpacks, and suitcases as you will have to go through security.

What is the dress code?

Business casual attire is appropriate. Wear comfortable shoes as you will be walking/standing for most of the day.

The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is a nonpartisan organization. We are fortunate to have strong working relationships with both sides of the aisle that has resulted in continued advocacy success for our community. To maintain a nonpartisan and professional environment during our hill day, please refrain from wearing clothing or accessories with political slogans or affiliations.

What is the Health and Medicine Counsel (HMC)?

The Health and Medicine Counsel of Washington is a government relations organization that works with nonprofit organizations and companies in the healthcare industry. HMC guides our advocacy efforts, including coordinating congressional meetings.

Will I receive training prior to meeting with representatives?

There are advocacy materials available on our website under the “Advocacy” Tab. On Monday morning there will be a welcome session with HMC representatives who will prepare you for the day.

How can I prepare for Hill Day?

Step 1: Register at: www.rls.org/hill-day. Registering in advance allows our HMC representatives to target legislators in your state and district.

Step 2: Create your story. Meetings with representatives will be brief, so preparation is key. Representatives want to hear why the policies they pass impact their constituents.

Step 3: View our advocacy resources under the “Advocacy” Tab at www.rls.org.

Step 4: Plan your travel including hotel reservations, car rentals, public transportation, or other necessary details.

What To Expect

This is my first time participating in any type of advocacy work- what should I expect?

Advocacy can seem daunting, but it will not take you long to gain confidence! You will feel a sense of unity among the members of your group knowing you have a collective mission and a sense of empowerment by being a voice for those who cannot be there.

The HMC will coordinate meetings in advance, but you will receive your schedule the day of. You will likely meet with 5-7 offices. An HMC representative will guide your group through the meetings.

Your group may include an RLSF employee, a Board member, an RLS expert, other RLS members and an HMC representative.

Who do we meet with?

You will meet with legislative staffers who are responsible for listening, asking questions and taking notes during the meeting. Legislative staffers are essential in helping legislators make informed decisions and effectively serving constituents.

How is each meeting structured?

You will meet with a representative from each office who is there to listen and take notes. These meetings last about 15-20 minutes. Do not be surprised if your meetings take place in a conference room, the office lobby, or even the hallway!

After introductions, an RLSF representative will explain what RLS is and what the RLS Foundation does. You will then share your story in 2-4 minutes. The HMC representative will end with our legislative priorities and request their support. The flow of your meeting will happen naturally, as your group learns how to bounce off each other’s statements.

What is my role in this meeting?

Statistics and numbers only go so far- the most impactful statements come from those who live with RLS and can provide context for the adversities faced by the community. Prepare your story in advance, as you will have 2-4 minutes to share.

How much walking is required?

Please note that congressional buildings are quite large and navigating them will involve a significant amount of walking. Based on past events, on average you will be walking six miles in total. We recommend wearing comfortable shoes and being prepared for an active day. If you have any walking impairments or mobility concerns, we recommend planning ahead to ensure a comfortable experience.

Travel

Where do we meet?

We will meet at the HMC Headquarters located at 50 F St NW, Suite 730 Washington, DC 20001.

I am commuting by car. Where can I park?

The closest parking structure is Market Square Parking Garage located at 701/801 Pennsylvania Avenue NW. It is about a 20-minute walk to the meeting area. You can reserve parking tickets in advance.

Can I commute by train?

Yes, the HMC office is just a short walk from Union Station.

What hotels are in the area?

There are many hotels in the area, both within walking distance and driving distance of HMC Headquarters.

Options within walking distance:

- Phoenix Park Hotel: 520 N Capitol St. (2 min walk)

- Hilton Washington DC Capitol Hill: 525 New Jersey Ave NW (3 min walk)

- Kimpton George Hotel: 15 E St. NW (3 min walk)

Options within driving distance:

- Hilton Garden Inn: 2020 Richmond Highway Arlington (12 min drive)

- Lyle Hotel: 1731 New Hampshire Ave NW (15 min drive)

- Cambria Hotel Capitol Riverfront: 69 Q St SW (10 min drive)

- State Plaza Hotel: 2117 E St NW (15 min drive)

- Hilton Washington DC National Mall The Wharf: 480 L'Enfant Plaza SW (10 min drive)

You may need to consider car rentals or ride-sharing services as a form of transportation. Be sure to reserve all accommodations in advance!

December 16, 2025

AASM Foundation and Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation to Co-Fund Career Development Grants

The AASM Foundation is excited to expand its partnership with the Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Foundation to support early-career researchers through a co-funded grant for the 2026 Focused Projects Grant for Junior Investigators. This program provides funding for mentored research projects to jumpstart an early career investigator’s research career and provide the necessary support and resources needed to establish a track record of funding.

To be eligible for this co-funded opportunity, the proposed mentored projects must address one of these topics related to restless legs syndrome:

1. Investigations focused on further identifying specific endotypes and phenotypes of RLS that relate to particular subgroups of patients (e.g., pediatrics, women, pregnancy, diabetes, iron deficiency, ADHD)
2. Research oriented toward uncovering therapeutic precision when treating specific RLS/PLMD populations/phenotypes (e.g., patients with augmentation, pediatrics, women)
3. Studies that spur the development of new technologies to detect, manage, and/or treat RLS/PLMD.
4. Investigations utilizing tele-based, or remote diagnostic/management technologies and protocols and treatment outcomes for RLS/PLMD populations.

This continued collaboration reflects our shared dedication to supporting the next generation of RLS researchers focused on addressing the most pressing questions for those affected by the disorder.

Applications are due by January 5, 2026. For further information on eligibility and the application process, visit https://foundation.aasm.org/focused-projects-award-junior-investigators/ or contact the AASM Foundation at foundation@aasm.org.

December 2, 2025

Make the Most of Your RLS Foundation Membership!

As an active RLS Foundation member, you have exclusive access to the member portal on www.rls.org. Here, you can explore over 30 publications, past editions of NightWalkers, and previously recorded webinars. Register for the member portal today to unlock these valuable resources and make the most of your membership!

If you have already registered for the member portal, you may need to reset your password, as it expires after one year of inactivity. Follow the steps below to register for the member portal or log in to your existing account!

Creating a Member Portal

If you have not registered for the member portal, follow the steps below. If you already have a username and password, skip to the next section.

1. Go to www.rls.org/login-member.
2. Click "New User Registration" in blue under the yellow "Login" button.
3. Enter your contact information.
4. Create a username. (You may use your email address as the username.)
5. Create a password and enter it once in the box and again in the second box to confirm. See password requirements below.
6. Click submit.

Password Requirements

1. The password must be at least 12 characters and must contain at least one number, one lowercase letter, one uppercase letter, and one special character ($, #, %, *, &, @, !).
2. The password cannot contain your name(s), username, "Password," or “RLS Foundation” in any text direction (e.g., drowssap is invalid).
3. The password cannot contain any indicator of time, date, or season in any text direction (e.g., My0rg1976).
4. The password cannot contain any of the above even with special character variations (e.g., spring, $pring, spr1ng, $unday, Sunday, Sund@y).

Please note that password requirements are determined by our website provider and cannot be modified by the RLS Foundation.

You will not have immediate access to the member portal upon registering. Please allow 24 business hours for your registration to be linked to your active membership.

Logging into the Member Portal

1. Go to www.rls.org/login-member.
2. Enter your username and password.
3. Click submit.
4. You now have access to the member portal! All resources can be found under the “Member Portal” tab. You will be logged out after one hour of inactivity.

If you have successfully logged in but are still unable to view the resources listed under the “Member Portal” tab, your membership may be expired. To view the status of your membership, select “Renew my membership” by hovering over the “Member Portal” tab. If your membership is inactive, click “Renew Now.”

All memberships are active through September 30 of the following year. You will not have immediate access upon renewing; please allow 24 business hours for your renewal to be linked to your account.

Resetting My Password

If you are unsure whether you have an existing member portal or need to reset your password, follow the steps below:

1. Go to www.rls.org/login-member.
2. Click "Forgotten Password" in blue under the yellow "Login" button.
3. Enter the email associated with your member portal.
4. Select and enter either "Username" or "First and Last Name."
5. Click submit to receive your username and a link to reset your password (check your Junk folder).
6. Click the reset password link in the email. Refer to the “Password Requirements” section above.
7. Once you reset your password, return to www.rls.org/login-member and enter your username and new password.
8. Click submit.

If you do not receive a password reset email, you may not have an existing member portal. In that case, follow the steps in the Creating a Member Portal section above.

Additional Support

If you have further questions regarding your membership status or portal registration, please email info@rls.org with the subject line: Assistance with Member Portal.

Call for RLS Research Grant Proposals

December 3, 2025

The RLS Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation that aspires to achieve universal awareness of restless legs syndrome, to support the identification of effective treatments, and to find a cure for the millions of individuals who suffer from RLS.

The RLS Foundation calls for grant proposals of a one year-duration, with funding levels of up to $50,000 (including 8% for F&A costs), based on the number of funded applications. A renewal or extension of a previously funded proposed project may be considered, but any extension would be subject to the regular competitive approval process for year two.

The number of total awards will depend on the number and quality of the applications submitted. Currently, the Foundation is expecting to support up to two proposals for the 2026 – 2027 grant cycle. The American Academy of Sleep Medicine has agreed to co-sponsor two grant awards for the 2026 round of funding.

Spring 2026 Priorities

For this round of funding, the primary research priorities are:

• Iron homeostasis: - e.g. Elucidate the genetic/epigenetic, developmental and biological factors that contribute to RLS-relevant alterations in the central nervous system.
• Comorbidities: - e.g. Elucidate the interactions between RLS and comorbid disorders, such as cardiovascular disease and sleep apnea.
• Genetic/epigenetic: - e.g. Elucidate the interactions between RLS-relevant genetic/epigenetic factors or the consequence of these genetic/epigenetic factors on RLS-relevant neurobiological factors.
• Other topics: Other research areas related to RLS may also be accepted for funding consideration.

Requirements

• Eligibility: All institutions within the United States, Canada and other countries where supervision of grant administration is possible are eligible.
• Human Subject Protection: Approval by the institution’s human investigation committee is necessary for all projects that involve human subjects.
• Recombinant DNA Research and Animal Welfare: The RLS Foundation has adopted the regulations pertaining to these areas, as established by the US Public Health Service.
• Multiple Awards: Individual investigators may receive a maximum of one RLSF grant award of any kind in a given year.

Application process

• The grant submission is a two-step process requiring both "pre-application” (letter of intent) due no later than January 23, 2026 and, if invited, a full application as indicated further below. Both pre-application and full application will be submitted via a specific link.
• The application title and all information for the Principal Investigator (PI), Business Official(s), Performing Organization, and Contracting Organization must be consistent throughout the entire preapplication and full application submission process.
• If submitting a joint proposal involving multiple PIs (Partnering PI Option): The Initiating PI must complete the preapplication submission process and submit the contact information for the partnering PI.
• Fund disbursement for successful applications will be contingent upon documentation of approved institutional review or animal user protocols, as appropriate.

Preapplication (Letter of Intent) Submission Components

The Letter of Intent (LOI) should consist of a preproposal with:

• Rationale (500-word limit): State the hypothesis and reasoning on which the proposed research project is based. Briefly describe how preliminary data, scientific rationale, and referenced literature support the research hypothesis. Clearly demonstrate that there is sufficient rationale for the project.
• Focus Area: Identify the research priority(ies) from the Spring 2026 Research Priorities list above that the proposed study seeks to address, if applicable.
• Specific Aims and Study Design (500-word limit): Clearly describe the type of research study being proposed. Concisely state the project’s objectives, specific aims and ultimate endpoints. As applicable, briefly describe the proposed recruitment strategies and methods, how they will accomplish the project’s aims, as well as the outcome measures that will be used.
• Research Team (250-word limit): Provide a description of the research team that clearly demonstrates the appropriate background and experience to accomplish the proposed work.
• Impact and Relevance to RLS (250-word limit): Describe how the proposed work will impact healthcare and quality-of-life needs for patients and/or family members or beneficiaries living with RLS.

In addition, for the pre-proposal, applicants need to provide a reference list (one-page limit), a list of abbreviations, acronyms, and symbols, and biographical sketches (NIH format) of all key personnel. The pre-application and the supporting documents need to be converted into a single PDF file before uploading.

Formatting Requirements

For both pre- and full submissions, applicants need to abide for all documents by the NIH-based formatting requirements for grant applications:

• Paper size no larger than standard letter paper size (8 ½" x 11”).
• At least one-half inch margins (½”) — top, bottom, left and right — for all pages.
• No more than 6 lines per vertical inch.
• Font size at least 11 pt in fonts: Arial, Georgia, Helvetica, or Palatino Linotype.

To be considered, the LOI can be submitted online starting December 3, 2025 and must be submitted by January 23, 2026 (CT). See sample template for LOI here. Applicants will be informed in late February if their proposal is invited for a full application.

Full Application Submission Components:

If invited to submit a full application, the PI will receive the link to the full application and submission components.

Award Process

Schedule: The RLS Foundation Scientific and Medical Advisory Board (SMAB) and external reviewers strive to review all applications in a timely manner. The goal is to provide the results to the LOI applicants within two months of the respective grant deadline and four months after submission of the full proposals.

Review: The SMAB will evaluate and rank the full proposals based on scientific merit. Overall impact, significance, approach, innovation (conceptual, technical) and individual criteria will be taken into account for funding consideration.

Award: The RLS Foundation Board of Directors will make final award decisions in accordance with available funds, based on the evaluation provided by the SMAB and other prioritization factors as determined by the Board of Directors.

Recipient Requirements:

In order to receive an RLS Foundation research grant, the recipient must:

1. Within one month of the grant award, provide a photo of the grantee and a one-page article for publication in NightWalkers (the Foundation’s quarterly news magazine), describing in layman’s language the importance of the research to the RLS community and the recipient’s intention for future research.
2. Use the terminology restless legs syndrome in all grant-related publications and correspondence.
3. For 1-year awards, agree to submit a progress report after 6 months and 12 months from the starting date of the grant.
4. Acknowledge the RLS Foundation’s support in any published work or audiovisual productions resulting from research that the Foundation has supported. (Provide PDF copies of any reprints to the Executive Director of the RLS Foundation.)
5. Agree, if RLS Foundation funded research is commercialized or generates revenues, to devote a portion of the revenues to repaying the entire amount of the grant received, plus interest at the-prevailing prime rate, to the Foundation. Interest will be calculated semi-annually on the unpaid portion of the amount to be repaid.

Lastly, the intent of the RLS Foundation Research Grant Program is to provide seed monies to support researchers in their research endeavors and help them obtain the data to successfully request large scale funding elsewhere.

Thus, while an application may be also submitted to other organizations or agencies for funding, the applicant may not receive funding from the RLS Foundation, if any of those other projects are awarded or funded prior to the award being granted by the RLS Foundation.

The applicant will notify the RLS Foundation in writing of award funding for the same proposal from another organization and withdraw the application from consideration.

Costs Not Permitted

The following costs are not allowable under the RLS Foundation’s grant programs:

• New construction, alterations, or renovations of existing facilities
• Consultant fees, unless specified in the original grant application
• Travel and healthcare costs

RLS Research Grant Program

The RLS Grant Program started in 1997 and has funded over 50 grants totaling over $2 million. Membership support is the primary funding support of the RLS Foundation Research Grant Program. Help us to continue to fund promising new RLS research and end RLS for future generations.

December 1, 2025

RLS Foundation Certifies Thomas Jefferson University Hospital as a QCC

As an RLS Quality Care Center, Thomas Jefferson University Hospital is certified to provide expert care to patients with restless legs syndrome, a chronic neurological sleep disorder.

AUSTIN, TEXAS, August 15, 2025 – The Restless Legs Syndrome (RLS) Foundation announces it has certified Jefferson Sleep Disorders Center at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital (TJUH) as an RLS Quality Care Center.

An estimated 2%-3% of adults need daily clinical treatment for RLS, a chronic neurological disease that disrupts sleep and can have a devastating impact on overall quality of life. As an RLS Quality Care Center, TJUH will serve as a destination for RLS patients who need expert medical care.

“We are honored to be designated as a Quality Care Center by the RLS Foundation,” says Zhikui Wei, MD, PhD, director of the Quality Care Center at TJUH. “This recognition reflects our commitment to providing comprehensive, evidence-based care for individuals with RLS. Our team has particular expertise in managing complex cases, including augmentation, iron deficiency associated with RLS and refractory RLS that do not respond to first-line therapies,” he adds.

TJUH joins a network of 15 other institutions in the US and Europe that are certified by the RLS Foundation as Quality Care Centers. Through this program, the Foundation aims to improve the diagnosis and treatment of the disease worldwide.

RLS Quality Care Centers:

• Provide expert care to RLS patients
• Serve as information and referral resources for healthcare providers who treat patients with RLS and regional support groups
• Support patients and families through educational offerings and literature
• Share information with other centers to improve clinical best practices
• Partner with the RLS Foundation on quality improvement projects to raise the standard of care for RLS patients everywhere

“We are pleased to welcome TJUH to the RLS Foundation Quality Care Center network,” says RLS Foundation Executive Director Karla Dzienkowski. “Individuals with moderate to severe RLS face significant challenges in managing symptoms and finding experienced healthcare providers who are skilled in designing effective treatment plans. The goal of care at a QCC is to improve overall quality of life.”

Dzienkowski adds, “The RLS Quality Care Center network promotes access to healthcare providers with expertise in RLS management. We look forward to our partnership with TJUH to advance the quality of care for RLS patients.”

The contact information for USC is listed on the RLS Foundation website. Other certified RLS Quality Care Centers are:

• Johns Hopkins Center for Restless Legs Syndrome
• Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine
• Houston Methodist Neurological Institute
• Stanford Sleep Medicine Center
• Emory Sleep Center
• Yale Center for Restless Legs Syndrome
• Vanderbilt University Medical Center
• Scripps Clinic Viterbi Family Sleep Center
• Neurocenter of Southern Switzerland
• Innsbruck Medical University
• Massachusetts General
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Virginia at Charlottesville
• Barrow Neurological Institute

To learn more about the RLS Quality Care Center Program, visit www.rls.org/quality-care-centers.

About the RLS Foundation

The Restless Legs Syndrome Foundation is dedicated to improving the lives of all who live with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Founded in 1992, the Foundation’s goals are to increase awareness, improve treatments and advance research to find a cure. The Foundation serves healthcare providers, researchers, over 6,000 members, and an estimated 12 million individuals in the United States who have the disease. The Foundation’s Research Grant Program has awarded over $2 million in funding for medical research on RLS causes and treatments. For more information, visit www.rls.org.

CONTACT
Adrianna Colucci
Communications and Marketing Coordinator
adrianna@rls.org
512-366-9109

October 27, 2025

Request for Symposia: Peter Brooks International RLS State of the Science Conference 2026

The RLS Foundation is in the process of planning the program for the Peter Brooks International RLS State of the Science Conference to be held at the Washington Dulles Hilton Hotel from September 23-26, 2026. The planning committee has proposed several broad topic areas for 90–120-minute symposia (see the list below).

Since this meeting is an opportunity to highlight the cutting edge of basic and clinical scientific inquiry, we invite the RLS research community to propose symposia topics with 3-4 potential presenters for consideration. Proposals do not need to follow the topic areas listed below. All basic and clinical RLS science presentations, as well as symposia that combine these approaches are of interest. Innovative proposals that connect RLS with other areas of basic and/or clinical research are also highly encouraged. At this point, we are seeking pre-proposals submissions of the intended symposia or presentations (titles and tentative speakers) only, with a due date of December 31, 2025. The RLSF Scientific and Medical Advisory Board will then review the submissions and contact the selected speakers / symposium chairs to request the finalized topics and titles by March 31, 2026 (final due date).

Proposal submissions should include the following:

1. Symposia title with a brief description of the session focus and learning objectives (limited to one paragraph).
2. Individual presentation topics/titles
3. Name and affiliation of each presenter.

Participation fees for symposium chairs and speakers will be waived and, pending funding support, presenters may be eligible for an additional discount for lodging or partial travel reimbursements.

All pre-proposals should be submitted by December 31, 2025 to Stefan Clemens (clemenss@ecu.edu) and copied to Karla Dzienkowski (karla@rls.org) and Adrianna Colucci (adrianna@rls.org).

If you have any questions, please contact the RLS Foundation Executive Director Karla Dzienkowski at karla@rls.org.

Examples of suggested symposia topics (non-exclusive):

• RLS over the last 20 years (basic and clinical research & practice)
• Epidemiology and genetics in the clinic
• The connection between RLS and PLMS
• The role of animal models in RLS
• The role of iron and dopamine systems in RLS
• The role of adenosine and glutamatergic systems in RLS
• Opioids and THC in RLS
• Emerging new treatment options, pharmacological and nonpharmacological
• Pediatric RLS and associated conditions
• Pregnancy and women's health and RLS
• Funding for RLS and sleep & circadian research (US, International, NGO, Gov’t)
• Other symposia topics for submission