Grants Program

The Epilepsy Research Continuity Fund (ERCF) will provide reimbursements of up to $15,000 for research-related expenses incurred as a result of institutional shutdowns during the COVID-19 pandemic and for which institutional support was not available or provided. Requests for reimbursements should be made for expenses incurred between 3/1/2020 and 6/1/2021. Applicants will be asked to submit a description of the originally funded grant narrative, a description of the specific work that was impacted, and how the work was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated institutional shutdown. If approved, applicants will be required to submit receipts for reimbursement by CURE Epilepsy. Applications will be accepted until September 17, 2021.

Please refer to the Request for Applications for the full program description, application instructions, and FAQs.

This program is made possible through a gift from the Cotton Family in honor of Vivian Cotton.

Eligibility

This award is available to early-stage career investigators. Special consideration will be given to current and previous CURE grantees. All materials must be submitted in English.

To be eligible, applicants must satisfy all of the following requirements.

1. Applicants should have already initiated an epilepsy-focused grant with approved funding of  $100,000 or greater.
2. The grant should have been approved after January 1, 2018 and be funded for a duration of no longer than five years.
3. Applicant’s research must be affiliated with an accredited research institution.
4. CURE Epilepsy employees, members of CURE Epilepsy’s Scientific Advisory Committee or its Board of Directors and their immediate family members are not eligible to apply for this award.

Budget
This program will provide reimbursements for up to a total of $15,000 in research costs. Some examples of expenses that are eligible for reimbursement are:

• Salary/fringe benefit continuation for PI/co-PI/technical staff.
• Newly required personal protective equipment and supplies.
• Per diem or replacement costs associated with study animals.
• Expired consumable laboratory supplies.
• Indirect costs and institutional overheads are not eligible for reimbursement.

Please contact CURE Epilepsy’s Research Team if you have questions about items that may qualify for reimbursable expenses at Research@CUREepilepsy.org or 312-255-1801.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS GRANT PROCESS

KEY DATES

The CURE Epilepsy Catalyst Award (2 years / $250,000) supports nimble development of data necessary to advance ideas toward larger commercialization funding opportunities and is not intended to replace those opportunities.

Please refer to the Request for Proposals for an overview of the priority areas, application instructions, and FAQs.

Eligibility

This award is available to independent researchers at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) at universities and non-academic research institutions, including small biotechnology companies, that seek to develop new interventions for epilepsy. International applicants are welcome to apply. Postdoctoral fellows may not apply for this award. All materials must be submitted in English.

Budget
Requests may be made for up to a total of $250,000 paid over 2 years. Funding requests may include salary support for the PI, technical staff and/or collaborators, supplies, animal costs, etc., and travel to an epilepsy-related conference if the PI is presenting his/her CURE Epilepsy-funded research.  Limited equipment purchases that are required to complete goals will be considered.  Indirect costs are not supported.

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS   GRANT PROCESS

FUNDING CYCLE

The CURE Epilepsy Award (2 years / $250,000) reflects CURE Epilepsy’s continued focus on scientific advances that have the potential to truly transform the lives of those affected by epilepsy, with prevention and disease modification as critical goals. Key priority areas for the award include: 1) Basic mechanisms of epilepsy; 2) Acquired epilepsies; 3) Pediatric epilepsies; 4) SUDEP; 5) Treatment-resistant epilepsies; and 6) Sleep & epilepsy.

Please refer to the LOI guidelines for an overview of CURE Epilepsy’s priority areas, application instructions, and FAQs.

Eligibility
This award is available to both established and early career investigators*.  Researchers who serve on CURE Epilepsy’s Scientific Advisory Council are ineligible to apply for or sponsor a grant for the duration of their term.  International applicants are welcome.  All materials must be submitted in English.

* 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. Post-doctoral fellows may not apply for this award.

Budget
Requests may be made for up to a total of $250,000 paid over 2 years. Funding requests may include salary support for the PI, technical staff and/or collaborators; supplies, animal costs, etc.; and travel to an epilepsy-related conference if the PI is presenting his/her CURE Epilepsy-funded research.  Limited equipment purchases that are required to complete goals will be considered.  Indirect costs are not supported.

SEE LOI GUIDELINES  GRANT PROCESS

2020 FUNDING CYCLE

The Taking Flight Award (1 year / $100,000) seeks to promote the careers of young epilepsy investigators to allow them to develop a research focus independent of their mentor(s).

Eligibility
You must fall into one of the following categories to be eligible for the Taking Flight Award:

• A senior postdoctoral fellow who has a minimum of 3 years postdoctoral experience
• A clinical fellow who is a Neurology Resident in his/her Neurology training and considering Epilepsy Fellowships
• Newly appointed faculty within one year of having completed postdoctoral training

International applicants are welcome; you do not have to be a US citizen or working in the US to apply for this award. All materials must be submitted in English.

Budget
Requests may be made for up to $100,000 for one year.  Funding requests may include salary support for the PI, technical staff and/or collaborators; supplies, animal costs, publication fees etc.; and travel to an epilepsy-related conference if the PI is presenting his/her CURE Epilepsy-funded research.  Funds are not to be used to purchase equipment.  Indirect costs are not supported.

SEE LOI GUIDELINES   GRANT PROCESS

2021 FUNDING CYCLE