The BRCA Research & Cure Alliance (CureBRCA) is pleased to announce its 2025 Research Awards Program. Applications will be accepted January 3 – March 15, 2025. Please review the following important information regarding the types of applications being offered, eligibility, funding, evaluation, and key dates. To qualify for funding consideration, BRCA-related research must involve prevention, detection, screening, and/or treatment for men at risk for BRCA-related cancers. If you anticipate applying for a grant, we request you submit a Notice of Intent (NOI). Although optional, this collected information will ensure that interested parties receive timely grant communications and notifications.
Information for Applicants:
Grant applications for both award mechanisms must address at least one of the following key priority areas: identification of at-risk carriers, early detection/screening for cancer, novel prevention and/or novel treatment approaches for BRCA-related cancers. BRCA research, educational initiatives, and/or outreach efforts that focus on men who carry BRCA cancer predisposition variants are also of interest.
BRCA Research and Education (CureBRCA) Grant Offerings:
1). 2025 CureBRCA Team Science Award: This multi-year award is designed for multi-institutional collaborative grants and offers up to $500,000 in total funding.
2). 2025 CureBRCA Innovation Research Award: This seed grant award is designed to support early-stage pilot funding for novel idea development and offers up to $80,000 in total funding.
Eligibility
Research project applicants must be an MD, DO, or PhD, with specialized training, clinical, or research interest in urology, oncology, primary care, genetics, public health, gastroenterology, or epidemiology. Non-research related projects can be submitted by genetic counselors or other BRCA advocacy groups. CureBRCA grants must be paid to academic institutions or other non-profit entities, and can’t be paid directly to individuals.
Application/Notice of Intent (NOI) (Optional)
All applicants must submit an online application. If you anticipate applying for a grant, please complete our Notice of Intent (NOI). While completing the form is not mandatory, doing so will help us better anticipate the needs of the review committee, and ensure that applicants will receive all grant notifications. Completing the Notice of Intent allows leadership to recruit and assemble a Scientific Advisory Committee with expertise that aligns with the applicant’s research project.
Scientific Advisory Committee (SAC)
The Scientific Advisory Committee will provide guidance around CureBRCA’s research and education funding strategy. Committee members are volunteers, are not compensated and must adhere to an annual Conflict of Interest Policy. SAC members must disclose all conflicts.
Application Review Process
CureBRCA is a private 501(c)(3) non-profit foundation, and its organizational structure is unique and atypical of other nonprofits because it is not formally partnered with any outside entity or institution. Applications will be evaluated by CureBRCA leadership, the CureBRCA SAC, and members of the review committee, and if appropriate: patients, carriers, genetic counselors, or other BRCA advocates. Research applications will be evaluated by the SAC on the follow components: 1) the quality of the research (e.g., originality, feasibility); 2) expected research impact (e.g., importance of the research question, probability that the project will lead to meaningful progress or disruptive innovation in the BRCA field); and 3) the quality of the applicant and research environment. SAC Members will make funding recommendations to CureBRCA leadership.
Funding
Applicants can request up to $500,000 for the 2025 CureBRCA Team Science Research Award, or up to $80,000 for the 2025 CureBRCA Innovation Award (seed grant). A budget description is required for both grant offerings. CureBRCA does not fund administrative overhead, or “indirect” costs.
Grants Timeline
Application Open: 01/03/25
Application Close: 03/15/25
Award Announcement 07/01/25
Required Application Materials:
Applicants must complete an online application, which will require the following:
1). Applicant’s Resume, CV, or NIH Biosketch (pdf) (Biosketch preferred)
2). Letter of Support(s)
3). Budget Justification
Confidentiality and Conflicts of Interest
Throughout the application process all information is kept strictly confidential. CureBRCA will make every effort to ensure our decisions are fair, objective, and transparent. Any individual who has a conflict of interest with an application will be recused from its evaluation. Conflicts will be clearly defined within the annual Conflict of Interest Policy.
For questions about the application process:
BRCA Research & Cure Alliance (CureBRCA)
One South Wacker Drive, Suite 1810, Chicago, IL 60606
Email: [email protected]| www.curebrca.org