Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative 2025-2026

Eligibility

1. Each applicant organization must be a nonprofit academic or research institution, including domestic and non-US nonprofit organizations, domestic and non-US public/private academic universities or institutions of higher learning (including colleges, universities, medical schools, and other related academic research institutions); certain qualified governmental agencies with active biomedical research programs may also apply.
2. All proposed research projects must be led by a PI who holds a doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD) or a related research doctorate degree. The PI must be an independent investigator.
3. Institutions may submit more than one proposal, but a unique PI must lead each proposal.

Optional Letter of Intent (LOI) and Application Requirements

All completed LOIs and applications shall be submitted through a Survey Monkey Apply grant portal, found at https://Milken.smapply.io/prog/sarcoidosisgrant.

It is recommended that each applicant keep in mind the portal’s requirements when preparing the application. Applications shall be single spaced and formatted in Calibri 11 pt font with 1-inch margins, except where provided templates apply. Formatting and length shall be strictly enforced by the review team. Any submissions that exceed the page limit or do not follow the aforementioned requirements shall not be considered for review.

All applicants are encouraged to submit an optional LOI, which shall be reviewed by the ATF-BSI review team. The LOI will be an opportunity for initial feedback on the project. Applicants who propose relevant projects will be notified that their project falls within the scope of the program. If ATF-BSI informs an applicant that their project does not fall within the scope of the program, the applicant is still able to submit a full proposal, but ATF-BSI would advise changing the scope of the project. As the LOI is optional, all applicants may submit a full proposal, regardless of their submission of an LOI.  

Summary

ATF-BSI will award up to six two-year research grants led by doctorate-level investigators at qualifying research-based institutions around the world. Projects led by individual researchers will be eligible for up to $200,000 USD in funding for direct costs per year plus 15 percent in indirect costs, totaling $230,000 USD per year, and $460,000 over two years. Interdisciplinary teams will be eligible for up to $250,000 USD in funding for direct costs per year plus 15 percent in indirect costs, totaling $287,500 USD per year for a total of $575,000 over two years. Interdisciplinary teams are defined here as either a team of two principal investigators (PI) comprising a sarcoidosis expert and a researcher from a separate field relevant to the project, or a team submitting a proposal with one basic science expert and one clinical expert that incorporates both clinical and basic science aims. Funded investigators will be eligible for a third year of funding with satisfactory progress within the first 18 months at the discretion of ATF.

Sarcoidosis is a disease hallmarked by clusters of immune cells, known as granulomas, that can form in various organs. The lungs are the most frequently affected, but many other organs can be impacted. For some people, the condition resolves on its own, but for others, the condition can become chronic and debilitating. The symptoms can include difficulty breathing, fatigue, and heart arrhythmia, and if the granulomas persist, they can cause severe organ damage and death. Approximately 0.5 percent (1 in 200) of the US population is affected by sarcoidosis; however, it impacts African American women at higher rates than other demographics. 

While sarcoidosis is often considered a rare disease, its true prevalence may be higher due to underdiagnosis and a lack of awareness among clinicians. Environmental exposures and genetic risks have been implicated in the onset of sarcoidosis. The sarcoidosis field needs a clearer understanding of the social determinants of the condition’s development and prognosis. Additionally, autoimmune and infectious causes of sarcoidosis have been studied, but more work is needed to understand the mechanism and etiology of the disease.  

Overhead

Indirect costs can be calculated in addition to the maximum funding request at 15%. 

Pre-application deadlines

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.

Key Dates and Timeline

1. Thursday, October 9, 2025: Informational session on sarcoidosis and the Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative (ATF-BSI) will be held via Zoom at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Please use the following link to register: https://milkeninstitute-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/lr3nsgW3S0ipYJi__SGMkA
2. Thursday, October 23, 2025: Voluntary letters of intent due via the Survey Monkey Apply grant portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
3. Friday, November 7, 2025: Those who submitted an LOI will be notified whether their proposed project is within the scope of the program. Those who submit an LOI are permitted to make modifications to the project before submitting a full proposal.
4. Monday, January 19, 2026: Applicants shall submit their full proposals via the Survey Monkey Apply grant portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. Note that applicants who miss the LOI deadline are still permitted to submit a full proposal.
5. May 2026: Awardees who are selected for funding are notified.
6. June 2026: Projects begin.
7. Summer 2026: The Funded Investigators Meeting takes place. Lead PIs of funded teams are expected to attend.
    

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available 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.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

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 edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application