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).
The Cure Starts Now is pleased to offer your multiple grant options depending on your needs:
Cure Fund
Immediate funding for novel concepts with a limit of $50,000/USD. These are great grants for the idea that is keeping you up at 2 in the morning! Designed for smaller, proof-of-concept ideas with a shortened application and an in-person 4-minute presentation typically at the Brain Cancer Symposium. While applications are reviewed by judges in advance, scoring is reserved for the in-person presentation of up to 4 finalists with winner(s) selected for funding on the same day. Available for international applicants. Young researcher or funder categories may be used based on volume of applications. Final submissions must be received no later than 60 days prior to presentation.
Open for Submissions Until May 23, 2025
Homerun Grant
Our classic grants, funded by either The Cure Starts Now or the DIPG/DMG Collaborative, based on funding availability or grant concentration. Grants are limited to $100,000/USD with increased allowances for a total of $200,000/USD for researchers of actively contributing hospitals to the International DIPG/DMG Registry or the SIOPe DIPG/DMG Registry (see grant details). Designed to be our universal grant for translational, clinical, basic and delivery projects. Submission deadline is June 1 with initial notifications of award or questions no later than October 15. Available for industry partners and international applicants.
Open for Submissions Until June 1, 2025
BFG Project
The “Big Fat Grant” Project. This grant is offered by The Cure Starts Now and select partners and is specially designed for larger projects with multi-year goals and a “think big” philosophy. These grants are more involved and can be up to $1,000,000/USD total grant amount with yearly incremental payments over 4-years based on grant application requests and Medical Advisory Council Chairperson suggestions. Grants should be collaborative in nature and typically include multi-institutions. These grants should be translational or clinical studies with a high degree of innovation and potential for significant disease impact. Available for international applicants. Applicants must agree to the Intellectual Property Policy (on the following page).
Next Submission Deadline: June 1, 2026
ELIGIBILITY
- Must be an MD, DO, PhD, Dr, PH or equivalent
- Must be a member of a non-profit organization or a valid medical/scientific organization.
- Must be up to date with any previous funding through The Cure Starts Now, which includes progress report submissions.
HOW TO APPLY
- Applications must be submitted as a researcher account within the snapgrant.com system
- Grants must be assigned the "The Cure Starts Now" affiliation when posting within SnapGrant
- Submit grant applications by June 1 of each year (grant may be submitted year-round and awarded off-cycle as budget allows, but reviews may be limited to those submitted by June 1)
REQUIREMENTS
- Single spaced
- In English
- See additional requirements within