Chordoma Foundation Research Grants Program

The Chordoma Foundation awards research grants to advance understanding of chordoma biology and develop new therapeutic approaches. The Foundation funds both established investigators with proven track records in chordoma research and talented scientists bringing expertise to the field for the first time.

Geographic Scope: International (US and Europe)

Focus Areas:

• Understanding TBXT/brachyury function and regulation in chordoma cells
• Discovering surface protein targets for immunotherapies (CAR T cells, antibody-drug conjugates, radioligand therapies)
• Developing personalized immunotherapy approaches
• Identifying combination therapies
• Understanding tumor microenvironment and cellular plasticity
• Single-cell analysis of tumor heterogeneity
• Biomarker discovery for treatment response prediction
• Drug screening and preclinical development

Eligibility:

• Academic institutions and research centers
• Investigators at all career levels
• Domestic and international institutions
• Partnerships with industry partners welcome

Funding Partners: Frequently co-funds with Cancer Research Institute (CRI) and other organizations

Grant Types:

• Standard grants (typically 1-2 year projects)
• Pilot grants (smaller scale, exploratory projects)
• Follow-on grants (building on previous successful projects)

Recent Examples (2023-2024):

• Nine grants totaling ~$2 million awarded in 2024
• Six grants totaling $1 million awarded in 2023
• Individual grant amounts: $50K-$325K
• Project durations: 1-2 years typically

Contact Information: Available at chordomafoundation.org

Background: The Foundation has supported 12+ clinical trials to date through its research investments. Recent momentum includes brachyury-targeted immunotherapy advancement, with NIH-funded clinical trials launching in 2026.

Application Process

Detailed application procedures are not explicitly provided in the website content. However, information suggests:

1. General Process:
   • Researchers should contact the Foundation regarding open funding opportunities
   • The Foundation maintains a list of "Open funding opportunities" on their website
2. What to Expect:
   • Competitive peer review process
   • Evaluation based on scientific merit and alignment with Foundation priorities
   • International collaborations encouraged
   • Co-funding arrangements possible with partners like Cancer Research Institute
3. Resources Available:
   • The Foundation offers "All resources for researchers" including model repository and TBXT drug discovery resources
   • Drug Screening Program available to test promising drugs in chordoma models

Note: For specific application deadlines, forms, and detailed requirements, visit the Foundation's "Open funding opportunities" page or contact the Foundation directly.