Cure One, Cure Many Award in Neuroinflammation

Eligibility

Applications may be submitted by basic, translational, or clinical investigators from: 

• U.S. and international public and private non-profit entities, such as universities, colleges, hospitals, and laboratories. 
• U.S. and international biotechnology/pharmaceutical companies, or other publicly or privately held for-profit entities. 

The principal investigator should hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent terminal clinical degree. Applicants may submit only one application and may not submit applications for both a Breakthrough Grant and a Catalyst Grant. The American Brain Foundation provides equal opportunities to all applicants for funding without regard to race, religion, color, age, sex, pregnancy, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic disposition, neurodiversity, disability, veteran status, or any other protected category under federal, state, and local law.

Summary

Neuroinflammation contributes to numerous diseases across all stages of life, from fetal development to aging. It plays a central role in neurological conditions ranging from Alzheimer’s disease, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, ALS, encephalitis, Huntington’s disease, stroke, brain tumor, epilepsy, migraine, chronic pain, myopathy and neuropathy, traumatic brain injury, meningitis, and COVID-19 associated brain disease. Emerging insights into the disease-associated and neuroprotective/neuro-regenerative roles of neuroinflammation create extraordinary opportunities to harness the immune system’s potential to treat, repair, and even cure some of the most pernicious brain disorders, and to extend the healthy lifespan. 

The 2025 Cure One, Cure Many Award in Neuroinflammation will be carried out through two types of grants: Breakthrough Grants and Catalyst Grants. Both types of grants support high-risk, high reward and translational research with a focus on clinical impact.

Grant Descriptions 

Breakthrough Grants 

• Funding: Up to $2 million total (up to $1 million per year for two years) 
• Purpose: These grants are designed to support interdisciplinary teams investigating novel neuroinflammation mechanisms and the potential development of new biomarkers, therapeutic targets, or technologies. Teams must include members from at least three institutions and ensure that projects bridge multiple disciplines. 

Catalyst Grants 

• Funding: Up to $500,000 total (up to $250,000 per year for two years) 
• Purpose: Catalyst Grants support high-risk, high-reward research projects that explore and innovate, interdisciplinary approaches to neuroinflammation. These grants are intended to help researchers overcome critical research hurdles and offer flexibility to explore bold ideas that have the

Overhead

Up to 15% of the total grant amount may be used toward indirect costs. 

Pre-application deadlines

RSO internal deadline

Pre-application program deadline

Application deadlines

RSO detailed review deadline

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

To Apply 

Applications will be managed by the American Academy of Neurology (AAN). All applications must be submitted online via SmartSimple. Visit https://aan.smartsimple.com/ and follow the instructions for the Cure One, Cure Many Awards.

Additional Resources

Using RMS:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application

Support for projects involving Indigenous Research:

Support with the development of your grant application is available internally through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST). Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Support for Knowledge Engagement:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation is available internally through the Knowledge to Impact Team. Applicants can reach out by email to the KTI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information, please visit the KTI team webpage.

Support for Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@libanswers.ucalgary.com and/or visit https://libguides.ucalgary.ca/researchdatamanagement.

Support for EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice. Contact Erin.OToole@ucalgary.ca for more information.