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Collaborative Research Grant
Small-molecule CFTR modulators that directly target the mutant protein are powerful therapies that have the possibility of benefitting >90% of people with cystic fibrosis. However, there is still a significant unmet need for people with CF whose CFTR variants create protein that does not respond to modulators, do not generate sufficient quantities of protein for correction, or block CFTR protein synthesis (i.e., premature stop codon, splice site, insertion or deletion variants, etc.).
Projects supported through the Path to a Cure: Collaborative Research Grant Request for Application (RFA) should be ambitious in scope and utilize cutting-edge technologies and strategies that have the potential to inform or translate into novel therapies to restore CFTR protein function by facilitating delivery of technologies to repair and/or replace the defective CFTR gene. Multi-institution collaborations are strongly encouraged.
Emerging areas of interest with high priority to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation:
- Characterizing and validating cellular targets that facilitate delivery of nucleotide-based therapies to specific cells, including airway progenitor cells and other affected epithelial tissues (biliary tract, GI tract, pancreas)
- Developing and optimizing the properties and formulation of nucleic acid therapies and their delivery vehicles — both viral and non-viral — that can target disease relevant cells and tissues
- Comprehensively evaluating the roles of pulmonary cell types in CF disease pathogenesis (i.e., ciliated cells, club cells, ionocytes, etc.) and the regions of the lung that are necessary to target with a genetic-based therapy to prevent, halt, or reverse pathophysiology; creation of new animal models is not permitted through this RFA
- Improving our understanding of cellular barriers that limit delivery of genetic therapies to disease-relevant cells and tissues, such as immunologic and inflammatory responses, endosomal escape, nuclear import, and cellular regulation of durability, etc.
- Evaluating the impacts of genetic manipulation on target cells and tissues, including: division of basal cells, differentiation of daughter cells, time to evidence of efficacy, duration of efficacy, etc.
Collaborations that bring new investigators into the CF research community are a high priority. A single Collaborative Research Grant proposal must have at least two — and may include up to four — related research projects (each led by a separate principal investigator) referred to as sub-projects. These sub-projects must share a well-defined theme and overall objective. Proposals must contain sufficient preliminary data to justify support from the CF Foundation.
Total direct costs for the Collaborative Research Grant may not exceed $1 million per year for up to three years. The application must consist of at least two projects, each led by an independent investigator. The lead institution may request up to $25,000 direct costs per year to support an administrative core; however, total direct costs may not exceed the $1 million cap per year. An additional 12% of indirect costs per year may be requested.
Policies and Guidelines
Applicants must speak with program staff prior to submission to ensure the research aims are in alignment with the research priorities described in this request for applications (RFA).
Applicants (lead PI and individual sub-project PIs) may only submit one Collaborative Research Grant application in 2026.
Deadlines
Full applications: December 15, 2026
AI Based Application Success Predictor
These predictors synthesize CFF's published review criteria and research priorities. The ranking is a practical assessment, not an official universal scorecard.
1
★★★★★
Strong alignment with CF research priorities — Critical
Address a clearly relevant CF problem and identify the appropriate funding mechanism. CFF prioritizes projects that advance understanding of disease mechanisms, improve treatment, prevent complications or develop approaches toward a cure. For CFTR correction or gene repair/replacement, consider the dedicated Path to a Cure program.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
2
★★★★★
Scientific significance and innovation — Critical
State the knowledge gap, central hypothesis and why the proposed work advances existing science. CFF's basic-science and pilot programs specifically seek hypothesis-driven research and innovative approaches to important CF questions.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
3
★★★★★
Rigorous methodology and statistical design — Critical
Use suitable models, controls, endpoints, sample-size justification and a clear analysis plan. Clinical Research Award applications must demonstrate how the hypothesis will be tested and include appropriate biostatistical input.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
4
★★★★★
Preliminary data and feasibility — Critical
Provide evidence that the hypothesis is plausible and the proposed experiments can work. Pilot awards may support hypothesis development, while larger studies should demonstrate sufficient feasibility, access to samples or participants, and the ability to deliver the proposed milestones.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
5
★★★★☆
Potential to improve treatment or move toward a cure — Very high
Explain how results could advance CFTR function, reduce disease complications, improve symptom management, or generate evidence for new treatments. Match the expected impact to the maturity of the project rather than promising an immediate cure.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
6
★★★★☆
Investigator expertise and career-stage fit — Very high
Demonstrate the skills and research track record needed for the project. Career-development and training applications also require a coherent training plan, appropriate mentor, and supportive research environment.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
7
★★★★☆
Access to CF patients, samples and research infrastructure — Very high
Clinical studies should establish access to enough eligible participants and appropriate controls. Where relevant, leverage CF clinical research centers, accredited care centers, specialized assays, biobanks and established collaborations.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
8
★★★★☆
Patient relevance and community input — Very high for clinical programs
Address outcomes that matter to people with CF and their families. For applicable clinical research calls, incorporate community feedback on the burden of participation, study design, feasibility and likely benefit.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
9
★★★☆☆
Collaboration, reproducibility and future funding — High
Show that collaborators contribute complementary expertise, methods are reproducible, and results can lead to subsequent studies or larger external grants. For collaborative awards, demonstrate how the workstreams form a coherent whole.
10
★★★★☆
Mechanism fit, eligibility and application compliance — Essential gate
Select the correct RFA, meet the investigator and institutional requirements, obtain any required LOI approval, and provide all requested documents. CFF notes that applications can receive different review pathways depending on portfolio priority alignment and that incomplete or poorly aligned applications are at a disadvantage.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
3. Ranked summary table
| Rank | Predictor | Importance |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | CF mission and priority alignment | Critical |
| 2 | Scientific significance and innovation | Critical |
| 3 | Methodological and statistical rigor | Critical |
| 4 | Preliminary data and feasibility | Critical |
| 5 | Potential to improve treatment or advance a cure | Very high |
| 6 | Investigator expertise and career-stage fit | Very high |
| 7 | Access to patients, samples and infrastructure | Very high |
| 8 | Patient relevance and community input | Very high for clinical programs |
| 9 | Collaboration and future funding potential | High |
| 10 | Mechanism fit and compliance | Essential gate |
4. Funding mechanisms and upcoming deadlines
Research Grants
$150,000/year for up to 2 years
Supports hypothesis-driven basic research into CF etiology, pathogenesis and potential prevention or treatment strategies. The published application deadline is December 8, 2026.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Path to a Cure Research Programs
Research Grant: $150,000/year for up to 2 years
Focuses on approaches that restore CFTR function or repair/replace the defective gene. The 2026 application deadline is December 8, 2026. A separate collaborative research mechanism has a full-application deadline of December 15, 2026.
Official Path to a Cure programs
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+1
Pilot and Feasibility Awards
$50,000/year for up to 2 years
Supports innovative basic-science hypotheses and promising new investigators. The standard program excludes interventional clinical studies, which belong under the appropriate clinical award.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Clinical Research Award
Up to $150,000/year single-center or $350,000/year multicenter
Supports investigator-initiated clinical, translational or epidemiological studies. The Spring 2027 LOI deadline was October 1, 2026 and has passed; full applications are due February 17, 2027 for eligible applicants proceeding through the required process.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
CFF/NIH R01 Unfunded Award
$125,000/year for 1 year
Provides bridge support for eligible CF-relevant R01 or equivalent applications that scored within the program's specified range but were not funded by the government agency. The published deadline is November 30, 2026, subject to eligibility.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Funding amounts and dates above reflect the published program pages available at the time of this report. Always confirm the current RFA and whether an LOI or invitation is required before preparing a full application.
5. Highest-priority research areas
| Research area | What strengthens the proposal |
|---|---|
| CFTR function and correction | Evidence of improved protein function or correction of disease-causing mutations |
| Gene editing and replacement | A credible strategy to repair or replace defective CFTR |
| Lung disease and infection | Mechanistic insight or new approaches to prevent or treat pulmonary complications |
| Inflammation and immunity | A clear connection between biological mechanisms and CF outcomes |
| Gastrointestinal and nutritional complications | Research addressing important CF-associated symptoms or disease mechanisms |
| Clinical outcomes and treatment management | Meaningful patient outcomes, feasible recruitment and robust study design |
| Rare CFTR mutations | A clear rationale for addressing unmet treatment needs in underserved mutation groups |
| New investigators and training | Strong mentorship, development goals and a pathway to independent funding |
These are broad research themes. Each specific RFA defines its own eligible topics and priorities.
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
+2
6. What makes a CFF proposal weak?
Poor alignment with current CF research priorities.
An unclear or insufficiently supported hypothesis.
Inadequate controls, methodology or statistical analysis.
Insufficient preliminary evidence for the proposed scope.
No realistic plan for addressing anticipated problems.
Limited evidence that the investigator or team has the required skills.
A clinical study without adequate patient access or biostatistical support.
Failure to include community input when required or relevant.
Applying under a basic-science mechanism for an interventional clinical study.
Missing an LOI, invitation, eligibility condition or required document.
CFF's published policy guidance specifically identifies poor priority alignment, inadequate methods or controls, insufficient documentation and failure to address likely pitfalls as reasons for low application priority.
Specialties
Eligibility Requirements
• Applicants must speak with program staff prior to submission to ensure the research aims are in alignment with the research priorities described in this RFA. Failure to receive presubmission approval from the CF Foundation staff at least one month ahead of the submission deadline will result in the administrative withdrawal of the proposal.
• United States residents and applicants from outside the United States are welcome to apply.
• Applicants must be independent investigators (an individual who is out of fellowship training and whose institution allows them to submit applications for research funding as a Principal Investigator).
• Applications collaborating with a for-profit entity in a non-majority role may be considered. The applicant must be the academic institution, and for-profit entities should be noted as subcontracts.
• Additional eligibility requirements can be found in Section IV and Section VI (Goals of Research) below.
Sponsor Details
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 4550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 1100 N Bethesda, MD 20814
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Grant
Letter Of Intent Deadline:
Dec 15, 2026
Final Deadline:
Dec 15, 2026
Funding Amount:
$25,000
Host Details
Affiliation: Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
Address: 4550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 1100 N Bethesda, MD 20814
Website URL: https://www.cff.org/researchers/path-cure-collaborative-research-grant
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.
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