Ann Theodore Foundation Sarcoidosis Inhibitor of mTOR (SIM) Trial

Eligibility

Each applicant organization may be:

1. a nonprofit academic or research organization, including domestic and non-US nonprofit organizations and domestic and non-US public/private academic universities or organizations of higher learning (including colleges, universities, medical schools, and other related academic research organizations)
2. a certain qualified governmental agency with active biomedical research programs 
3. a for-profit organization, including pharmaceutical companies 

Successful applicants must agree to and adhere to the ATF open science policy (see Grant Terms #10 below). Applications from established consortia or clinical trial networks will be prioritized.

All proposed research projects must be led by a principal investigator (PI) who holds a doctorate (e.g., PhD, MD) or a related degree. The PI must be an independent investigator. 

Summary

The Ann Theodore Foundation (ATF) is launching a new funding program to support the study of repurposed mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) inhibitors as treatments for cutaneous sarcoidosis. This program will be executed in partnership with the Milken Institute Science Philanthropy Accelerator for Research and Collaboration (SPARC). 

The ATF Sarcoidosis Inhibitor of mTOR (SIM) Trial is now accepting applications for two-year investigator-initiated clinical trials that will test the efficacy of mTOR inhibitors in treating cutaneous sarcoidosis. This trial would be considered an early Phase 2 trial and would provide scientific support for a future Phase 2b/3 or a Phase 3 trial. ATF will fund this trial, and SPARC will operate as program administrators.

The ATF SIM Trial will award one two-year investigator-initiated clinical trial grant led by established, independent investigators at qualifying research-based organizations around the world. The awarded team will be eligible for up to US$250,000 in funding for direct costs per year plus 15 percent in indirect costs, totaling US$287,500 per year for a total of US$575,000 over two years. Applications that define the trial population to appropriately power the trial and demonstrate a history or capacity to fully enroll during the grant period, including clinical trial networks and consortia, will be prioritized.

Overhead

15% on the direct costs total

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

Thursday, February 26, 2026: Informational session on SIM will be held over Zoom at 3 p.m. Eastern Time. Use the following link to register: https://milkeninstitute-org.zoom.us/meeting/register/x2EHV718SOWhJz-fwQeJig.

Monday, April 20, 2026: Applicants must submit their full proposals via the Survey Monkey Apply grant portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. 

June 2026: Awardees who are selected for funding are notified.

August 2026: Projects begin.

Summer 2026: The Funded Investigators Meeting occurs. Lead PIs of all teams funded by ATF sarcoidosis grant programs 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