Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy
/OVERVIEW: This funder awards grants to early career and advanced researchers studying epilepsy treatments and cures.
IP TAKE: CURE has been at the “forefront of epilepsy research, raising more than $90 million to find a cure.” It runs several grant programs annually and accepts letters of inquiry for each program; however, grant seekers should refer to this funder’s rigorous and clear grantmaking process before attempting to apply to increase chances of securing a grant here. This is an otherwise accessible and transparent funder that welcomes contact.
PROFILE: Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE) was established in 1998 by Susan Axelrod and other parents of children with epilepsy out of frustration with their inability to protect their children from this disease. Its mission is to “identify and fund cutting-edge research, challenging scientists worldwide to collaborate and innovate in pursuit of a cure for epilepsy.”
Neuroscience Grants
CURE offers several kinds of grant opportunities for “promising trends in the field and the potential for breakthroughs in a specified area.” CURE prioritizes epilepsy research that is focused on treatments for patients who are pharmacoresistant, treatment of severe pediatric epilepsies, or cases that result in sudden death.
CURE’s Catalyst Award provides $250,00 for up to 2 years for “nimble development of data necessary to advance ideas toward larger commercialization funding opportunities.”
This opportunity is geared toward “independent researchers at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) at universities and non-academic research institutions.”
The Catalyst Award has distinct grant guidelines to review before applying.
The CURE Epilepsy Award provides $250,000 for up to 2 years. This award addresses “scientific advances that have the potential to truly transform the lives of those affected by epilepsy, with prevention and disease modification as critical goals.”
This award prioritizes: 1) Basic mechanisms of epilepsy; 2) Acquired epilepsies; 3) Pediatric epilepsies; 4) SUDEP; 5) Treatment-resistant epilepsies; and 6) Sleep & epilepsy.
This award is available to both established and early career investigators.
The CURE Epilepsy Award has grant guidelines to review before applying.
CURE’s Taking Flight Award offers up to $125,000 to “promote the careers of early-career investigators to allow them to develop an independent research focus.”
Applicants must be either “a senior postdoctoral fellow who has a minimum of 2 years postdoctoral experience,” “a clinical fellow who is a Neurology Resident in his/her Neurology training and considering Epilepsy Fellowships,” or “newly appointed faculty within one year of having completed postdoctoral training.” Clinician-researchers are also welcome to apply.
The Rare Epilepsy Partnership Award offers $100,000 for 1 year. It invests in the “development of necessary research tools, techniques, model systems, and data collection platforms to stimulate and accelerate research on rare epilepsies.”
Applications must focus on one or more of the “specific rare epilepsies that are represented by each group as well as address CURE Epilepsy’s mission to cure epilepsy.”
The Rare Epilespy Partnership Award has separate guidelines.
Important Grant Details:
CURE makes about $3 and $5 million in grants a year. Its grants are generally awarded in amounts set by its three grantmaking programs. Grantees tend to be independent researchers and leading research universities and institutes in the U.S., Canada and Europe.
For additional information about past grantmaking see the organization’s grants awarded page or its past tax filings.
Grant seekers should review CURE’s clear grant process before applying, which requests brief letters of inquiry. Read Grant FAQs as well.
Each award and grant opportunity has its own guidelines and dates.
Grantseekers are advised to check the organizations grants page periodically for changes and updates to application guidelines and requirements.
General inquiries may be submitted via the organization’s contact page.
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