Research Grant

The Cure Parkinson’s Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme is administered by Cure Parkinson’s, a United Kingdom based charitable organization dedicated to accelerating the development of treatments that can slow, stop, or reverse Parkinson’s disease. The organization operates internationally and supports a rigorous research agenda aligned with its mission to advance disease modifying therapies. As a member of the Association of Medical Research Charities, Cure Parkinson’s adheres to strict peer review standards to ensure that only high quality scientific research is funded. The programme is designed to support both preclinical and clinical research projects that demonstrate strong translational potential toward clinical testing. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to support research that moves beyond symptomatic relief and instead focuses on modifying the underlying disease progression of Parkinson’s. Eligible projects must aim to slow, halt, or reverse the disease. Preclinical studies are expected to identify a viable clinical candidate and include a realistic pathway to testing in humans within approximately five years. Clinical studies must directly involve individuals with Parkinson’s disease, and projects involving only healthy participants are not eligible. The funder emphasizes translational readiness and prioritizes projects with a clear and achievable route to clinical application. Funding is available for a range of project types, including preclinical studies, clinical trials, and clinical infrastructure or sub studies. Preclinical projects may receive funding up to three hundred thousand pounds, while clinical infrastructure and sub studies are typically funded within a range of seventy five thousand to three hundred thousand pounds. Funding for clinical trials varies depending on the stage of the trial. The program supports both academic and commercial applicants, either independently or in collaboration, provided that all costs are justified and aligned with academic standards. Commercial applicants must submit additional documentation detailing their financial and organizational background. Eligibility requirements specify that applicant organizations must be legally constituted, research active, and capable of delivering the proposed work. They must demonstrate compliance with policies governing ethical research practices, including those related to human samples, clinical trials, and animal research where applicable. Each application must be led by a senior researcher serving as Lead Investigator, who is responsible for the scientific direction and management of the project. Organizations must also provide institutional support and agree to the funder’s grant terms and conditions. Patient and public involvement is strongly encouraged and considered an essential component of high quality research. The application process follows a two stage submission structure. Stage one applications are submitted via email and require completion of the designated application form along with any required supporting documents. Selected applicants are invited to submit a more detailed stage two application, including a full budget and additional documentation such as investigator curricula vitae and institutional support letters. Commercial entity forms are required for projects involving private sector partners. Applicants are encouraged to review all eligibility guidance and supporting documents before submission. The programme operates on a quarterly schedule with multiple submission deadlines each year. For the 2026 cycle, stage one deadlines are set for June 22, 2026 and October 12, 2026. Applications are reviewed by a Research Committee, which evaluates proposals based on scientific merit, feasibility, and alignment with funding priorities. The committee makes recommendations to the organization’s trustees, who make final funding decisions based on available resources and strategic considerations. Successful applicants are notified following this review process and must execute a grant contract prior to project initiation. Funded projects are subject to ongoing monitoring and reporting requirements. Grant recipients must submit progress reports every six months, including both technical updates and summaries suitable for public dissemination. Payments are made in arrears and are contingent upon satisfactory progress. At project completion, recipients are required to present their findings and submit final scientific and financial reports. The organization also encourages continued collaboration with researchers to further develop successful therapies and advance them toward clinical use.

Prioritize projects with clear translational pathway to clinical testing within five years; ensure involvement of people with Parkinson’s in clinical studies; provide realistic timelines and justified budgets