The Cure Starts Now
The Cure Starts Now has funded basic, translational and clinical trials that further efforts in a homerun cure strategy for all cancers, starting with pediatric brain cancer. Our core initiatives focus on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), diffuse midline glioma (DMG) and Medulloblastoma – though we have a history of funding other pediatric brain tumor research that contributes to our mission. Our research is international and impactful, covering 129 institutions in 29 countries worldwide. While the majority of our research focuses on $100,000 USD and $200,000 USD initiatives, we have funded projects as large as under $5 million USD (with special approval). We have also funded projects both with institutions and industry, provided that they meet grant requirements.
In an effort to balance innovation with transparency, we utilize the SnapGrant research application platform. SnapGrant currently offers free unlimited postings for The Cure Starts Now Foundation's affiliated grant applications. These applications will be proprietary to The Cure Starts Now affiliated funders. If The Cure Starts Now Foundation declines funding your affiliated grant, it will be automatically released to public (non-affiliated) users of SnapGrant in a limited-view format with permission-based access that you approve on a case-by-case basis for potential funding (unless you elect to opt out during the application process).
Homerun Grant
This one of The Cure Starts Now’s (TCSN) classic grants that funds translational, clinical, basic, and delivery research projects through either TCSN or the DIPG/DMG Collaborative, depending on funding availability and grant concentration. Awards are limited to $100,000 USD, with increased allowances of up to $200,000 USD available to researchers from hospitals actively contributing to the International DIPG/DMG Registry (IDIPGR) or the SIOPe DIPG/DMG Registry. Designed as a broad, universal funding opportunity, the Homerun Grant is open to industry partners and international applicants. The annual submission deadline is June 1, with initial notifications of award decisions or requests for additional information issued no later than October 15.
Open for Submissions Until June 1, 2026
BFG Project
The BFG (Big Fat Grant) offered by The Cure Starts Now (TCSN) and select partners and is designed to support large-scale projects with multi-year goals and a “think big” philosophy. This grant is intended for more involved initiatives and may provide up to $1,000,000 USD, distributed in incremental annual payments over a four-year period based on the funding request outlined in the grant application and recommendations from the Medical Advisory Council (MAC) Chairperson. BFG awards are expected to be collaborative in nature and will typically involve multiple institutions. Proposed projects should be be translational or clinical studies that demonstrate a high degree of innovation and the potential for significant impact on disease outcomes. BFG applications will only be considered from institutions and hospitals that are current contributing members of the International DIPG/DMG Registry (IDIPGR) or the SIOPe DIPG/DMG Registry, unless a pre-approved waiver has been granted by the CEO of TCSN. International applicants are eligible to apply. Applicants must agree to the Intellectual Property Policy.
Open for Submissions Until June 01, 2026
ELIGIBILITY
- Must hold an MD, DO, PhD, DrPH. or equivalent degree
- Must be affiliated with a non-profit organization or a recognized medical or scientific organization
- Must be in good standing with TCSN, including being up to date on all required progress report submissions for any prior TCSN funding
HOW TO APPLY
- Applications must be submitted by the principal investigator (PI) or lead researcher requesting funding. While administrative or institutional support may assist with preparation, the applicant of record must be the PI
- Applications must be submitted as a researcher account within the snapgrant.com system
- All applications must be assigned the "The Cure Starts Now" affiliation prior to submission in SnapGrant
- Applications must be submitted by the deadline specified for each individual grant opportunity. Some grants may accept submissions year-round and be awarded off-cycle as budget allows; however, formal review may be limited to applications received by the published deadline.
REQUIREMENTS
- Single spaced
- In English
Additional grant-specific requirements may apply; applicants should refer to the individual grant description for full details.