Cure SMA Basic Research Grant Program

Cure SMA Basic Research Grant Program

Funder: Families of Spinal Muscular Atrophy (Cure SMA)

Geographic Scope: International (scientists from around the world)

Focus Areas:

Basic research projects addressing unanswered questions in spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) biology

Research aligned with Cure SMA's top priorities:

- Enhancing understanding of molecular, cellular, and biochemical mechanisms underlying SMA pathology
- Generating key reagents and tools to facilitate drug development and clinical trials
- Identifying new therapeutic strategies for treating SMA
- Identifying drug targets that work synergistically with SMN-upregulating therapeutics to benefit older and symptomatic patients

Award Amounts: Individual grants range from $75,000 to $150,000. In 2026, Cure SMA awarded a total of $750,000 to six scientists.

Eligibility: Scientists and researchers worldwide; examples include postdoctoral researchers, principal investigators at academic institutions

Selection Process:

Scientists submit funding proposals for basic research projects

Scientific Advisory Board ranks proposals based on scientific merit and alignment with Cure SMA's research priorities

Funding awarded to highest-ranked projects

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (800) 886-1762

Address: 50 E Commerce Dr, Suite 90, Schaumburg, IL 60173

Background: Each year, Cure SMA invites scientists to submit proposals. Recent awards (2026) went to researchers at Stanford University School of Medicine, University of Edinburgh (Scotland), and Leipzig University (Germany).