+ More Filters

Reset Filters

Title

Funding Organization

Funding Type

Eligible Country

Deadline

Other (Select all that apply)

Show Expired Programs

Show Verified Programs

Not Verified

Taking Flight Award

Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE Epilepsy)

Overview

The Taking Flight Award (1.5 years / $125,000) seeks to promote the careers of early-career investigators to allow them to develop an independent research focus.

Budget

Requests may be made for up to $125,000 for eighteen months. Funding requests may include salary support for the PI, technical staff and/or collaborators; supplies, animal costs, publication fees etc.; and travel to an epilepsy-related conference if the PI is presenting his/her CURE Epilepsy-funded research. Funds are not to be used to purchase equipment. Indirect costs are not supported.

Key Activities and Dates

Activity	Approximate Date
Open Call for Letters of Intent	Monday, November 24, 2025
Letter of Intent Deadline	Tuesday, January 6, 2026
Full Proposal Invitations	Tuesday, February 17, 2026
Full Proposal Deadline	Tuesday, March 24, 2026
Anticipated Award Notification	End of July 2026
Anticipated Project Start Date	Tuesday, September 1, 2026

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Successful CURE Epilepsy proposals share several strengths in reviewers’ evaluations. Key predictors include:

✔ 1. Clear Alignment With Epilepsy Cure Goals

Projects should directly advance understanding of seizure biology, disease modification (not just symptom suppression), prevention mechanisms, or treatment strategies that could lead to a cure. CURE Epilepsy

✔ 2. Innovation & Breakthrough Potential

CURE highly values high-risk, high-reward science — research that challenges current paradigms or explores underinvestigated mechanisms rather than incremental extensions of well-funded areas. CURE Epilepsy

✔ 3. Feasibility & Measurable Outcomes

Given modest award durations and budgets, reviewers look for well-scoped aims, realistic methods, and specific milestones that can be completed within the funded period. CURE Epilepsy

✔ 4. Evidence of Investigator Readiness

For early career awards like the Taking Flight Award, reviewers assess evidence that the applicant is poised to transition to independence, including the strength of the mentorship plan and track record. CURE Epilepsy

✔ 5. Contribution to Future Funding Trajectory

CURE often funds preliminary work likely to generate pilot data that supports larger NIH/NSF/etc. applications. Demonstrating this potential can strengthen competitiveness. International League Against Epilepsy

✔ 6. Stakeholder Relevance & Lay Communication

Because epilepsy affects patients and families, reviewers (including lay members) value clear communication of significance and relevance to the lived experience of epilepsy — especially in disease burden and outcomes. CURE Epilepsy

🛠 Practical Application Tips

✔ Start with the mission: Frame the research in the context of disease modification or prevention, not merely controlling seizures. CURE Epilepsy
✔ Follow LOI guidelines closely: LOI quality heavily influences invitations to full proposals. CURE Epilepsy
✔ Emphasize innovation: Highlight novelty and how the project fills gaps in current epilepsy research. CURE Epilepsy
✔ Demonstrate feasibility: Be explicit about timelines, deliverables, and relevant preliminary data where possible. CURE Epilepsy
✔ Engage mentors for early career awards: A strong mentorship statement is essential for Taking Flight Award candidates. CURE Epilepsy

📌 Summary: CURE Epilepsy Funding

Program	Target Audience	Focus	Typical Support
Taking Flight Award	Early career/postdoc/faculty	Independence & pilot research	~$125k / 18 mo CURE Epilepsy
CURE Epilepsy Award	Early career to established investigators	Transformative epilepsy research	~$250k / 2 yrs Funding Opportunities
Seed/Exploratory Grants	Broad researchers	Innovative epilepsy science	~$50k–$250k (varies) International League Against Epilepsy

Specialties

Clinical Trials

Others

Eligibility Requirements

You must fall into one of the following categories to be eligible for the Taking Flight Award:

A postdoctoral fellow with a PhD, PsyD, PharmD, or equivalent and a minimum of two years postdoctoral experience at the time of submission. Applicants must submit a letter of support from their direct supervisor/mentor. For applicants with less than three years of post-doctoral experience, this letter must include a statement from the mentor, clearly articulating a plan to guide the applicant through the project, helping them develop an independent research focus, and encouraging them to think independently and strategically.

A researcher with an appointment as an Instructor or Research Assistant Professor who has yet to obtain significant funding (e.g., RO1 grant or equivalent) and has an on-site mentor committed to advising the applicant.

A faculty member at the assistant professor level who is within one year of having been appointed.

Clinician-researchers who are within two years of their faculty appointment.

A clinical fellow who is pursuing a residency in the following areas: neurology, neurosurgery or neurocritical care, and considering an epilepsy-focused fellowship.

International applicants are welcome; you do not have to be a US citizen or working in the US to apply for this award. All materials must be submitted in English.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Citizens United for Research in Epilepsy (CURE Epilepsy)

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: PO Box 10572 Chicago, IL, 60610

Legal & Affiliation Disclaimer

Affiliation Disclaimer: Trialect operates independently and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or supported by any sponsors or organizations posting on the GrantsBoard platform. As an independent aggregator of publicly available funding opportunities, Trialect provides equal access to information for all users without endorsing any specific funding source, content, organization, or sponsor. Trialect assumes no responsibility for the content posted by sponsors or third parties.

Subscription Disclaimer: Upon logging into Trialect, you may choose to SUBSCRIBE to GrantsBoard for timely notifications of funding opportunities and to access exclusive benefits, such as priority alerts, reminders, personalized recommendations, and additional application support. However, users are advised to contact sponsors directly for any questions and are not required to subscribe to engage with funding opportunities.

Content Ownership and Copyright Disclaimer: Trialect respects the intellectual property rights of all organizations and individuals. All content posted on GrantsBoard is provided solely for informational purposes and remains the property of the original owners. Trialect does not claim ownership of, nor does it have any proprietary interest in, content provided by third-party sponsors. Users are encouraged to verify content and ownership directly with the posting sponsor.

Fair Use Disclaimer: The information and content available on GrantsBoard are compiled from publicly accessible sources in alignment with fair use principles under U.S. copyright law. Trialect serves as an aggregator of this content, offering it to users in good faith and with the understanding that it is available for public dissemination. Any organization or individual who believes their intellectual property rights have been violated is encouraged to contact us for prompt resolution.

Third-Party Posting Responsibility Disclaimer: Trialect is a neutral platform that allows third-party sponsors to post funding opportunities for informational purposes only. Sponsors are solely responsible for ensuring that their postings comply with copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws. Trialect assumes no liability for any copyright or intellectual property infringements in third-party content and will take appropriate action to address any substantiated claims.

Accuracy and Verification Disclaimer: Trialect makes no warranties regarding the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided by sponsors. Users are advised to verify the details of any funding opportunity directly with the sponsor before taking action. Trialect cannot be held liable for any discrepancies, omissions, or inaccuracies in third-party postings.

Notice and Takedown Policy: Trialect is committed to upholding copyright law and protecting the rights of intellectual property owners. If you believe that content on GrantsBoard infringes your copyright or intellectual property rights, please contact us with detailed information about the claim. Upon receipt of a valid notice, Trialect will promptly investigate and, where appropriate, remove or disable access to the infringing content.

View Funding Opportunity