Grant Eligibility FAQ
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How do I determine if I am an early-career or established investigator?
Generally, early career investigators are university faculty at the assistant professor level (or hold an equivalent position in a non-university research organization). Established investigators are university faculty at the associate professor level or above.
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Who can apply for a CURE Epilepsy grant?
For most CURE Epilepsy awards, both established and early-career investigators may apply. The CURE Epilepsy Taking Flight award is specifically designed for advanced postdoctoral fellows, neurology fellows, and new faculty who are beginning to transition to independent investigators. Please refer to the CURE Epilepsy website for information on who specifically qualifies to apply for each of our grant categories.
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Can I apply for a CURE Epilepsy grant at any time?
Unfortunately, no. CURE Epilepsy does not accept unsolicited proposals. Researchers interested in applying for a grant must first submit a Letter of Intent (LOI). Calls for LOIs are announced on CURE Epilepsy’s website and via email, so please be sure to check the website regularly. You may also contact us to have your name added to our email list.
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Does CURE Epilepsy fund only academic laboratories?
CURE Epilepsy funds research from academic and non-academic laboratories. We fund researchers working at universities, companies, and non-profit research institutions.
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Can I submit more than one grant application in the same cycle?
Yes, if the two applications have completely different hypotheses and specific aims. You may not submit the same grant to multiple categories at the same time.
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I was/am a reviewer. Can I still apply?
If you have previously reviewed for CURE Epilepsy, you may submit an application. You will be ineligible to review during the cycle in which you submit an application.
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I’ve received a grant in the past. Can I apply again?
Yes. You are welcome to apply for a grant as a current/former CURE Epilepsy grantee. It should be noted, though, that a current grantee cannot receive funding on two different awards at the same time. You are welcome to apply for a new award as long as funding for the new award would begin after the current award has ended. As with all applicants, you must go through CURE Epilepsy’s standard application process. The first step is submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI).
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I applied last year, but was not awarded funding. I have addressed the concerns voiced in the reviews of my original application and would like to reapply. Can I reapply, and if so, what is the process?
Yes, you are welcome to reapply. However, you must go through CURE Epilepsy’s standard application process. The first step is to submit a Letter of Intent (LOI).
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I'm interested in submitting a LOI for an open CURE Epilepsy award with a scientist who is already involved in another CURE Epilepsy funding requests this possible?
Yes, this person can be a collaborator on your project (no percent salary given) but cannot be a co-PI (salary given).
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Are multiple researchers from the same institution allowed to apply for the same grant?
Yes. There is no limit to the number of researchers from the same institution who can apply for the same grant.
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Are international applicants eligible to apply?
Yes, international applicants are eligible to apply for CURE Epilepsy grants. All application materials must be submitted in English and should be written with a clear hypothesis and specific aims as is consistent with the U.S. grant making system.
Grant Submission Process FAQ
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I understand that we need to include annual costs of a current/pending funding for the PI of this proposal. If we have a $100,000 grant would we put $100,000 in the field for “Annual Costs”?
If you have a $100,000 for a 1 year grant, you would put $100,000 in the “Annual Costs” field. If it was a $100,000 grant over the course of 2 years, you would put $50,000 in the “Annual Costs” field. Over 3 years…$33,333. So on and so forth…
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If not chosen for funding, how can I get feedback on my application?
Critiques on full proposals will be available in your proposalCENTRAL account after the review cycle is complete.
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How quickly will the full proposal be reviewed? When can I expect to know if my application has been chosen for funding?
The review and approval process at the full proposal stage typically takes 10-12 weeks to complete (from receipt of full proposals to announcement of awards).
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Once I have submitted my application, can I check on its status?
Applicants can check updated status of their applications by logging into their accounts on proposalCENTRAL. All applicants will be notified as soon as application decisions are made.
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If I am submitting with another researcher, do we both need to submit an application?
CURE Epilepsy welcomes collaborative proposals with more than one principal investigator. However, one application must be submitted on behalf of the collaboration, under one PI’s account in proposalCENTRAL.
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When will I know if I am invited to submit a full proposal?
CURE Epilepsy will send accepted and declined notifications via proposalCENTRAL once the LOI review process is complete. This typically takes place approximately 4- 6 weeks after LOIs are submitted.
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If I can’t submit by the posted deadline, can I request an extension? What is CURE Epilepsy’s policy on late submissions?
No, CURE Epilepsy does not accept late applications.
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I am trying to submit my LOI but every time I click on CURE Epilepsy in proposalCENTRAL it takes me to the CURE Epilepsy homepage. Why is this happening?
In order to begin an application, you will need to create a professional profile in proposalCENTRAL. Once you have done so, an ‘Apply Now’ button will appear at the far right. When you click this button, you will be taken to the application section of the portal.
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How do I submit my Letter of Intent (LOI)?
All LOIs must be submitted through the proposalCENTRAL online application system (https://proposalcentral.altum.com/default.asp). LOIs that are emailed, mailed, or faxed will not be accepted
Grant Budgets FAQ
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Can the budget include indirect costs?
No. CURE Epilepsy does not provide support of indirect costs.
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Can grant funding be used for travel?
Yes. $1,000 per year can be allocated for travel; $1,500 can be allocated for international grantees.
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Who can receive salary from the grant?
Grant funds can be allocated to cover the salaries of investigators, postdocs, and graduate students in relation to percentage of effort spent on the project, as well as research supplies and some travel (see below). Indirect costs are not covered.
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Can multidisciplinary funding be split between two institutions?
Yes, funding can be split among multiple institutions. However, CURE Epilepsy will only contract with the primary institution, which will be responsible for negotiating subcontracts with any collaborators/co-PIs at additional institutions. CURE Epilepsy requires detailed budgets outlining the allocation of funds to each institution.