Deadline: 12-Oct-2026
The Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme supports preclinical, translational, and clinical research aimed at developing disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease. Offered internationally by Cure Parkinson’s, the programme funds research that has a clear pathway to clinical application and focuses on slowing, stopping, or reversing Parkinson’s disease rather than simply treating its symptoms.
Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme for Parkinson’s Disease Research
What is the Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme?
The Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme is an international research funding initiative that supports innovative projects focused on developing disease-modifying treatments for Parkinson’s disease.
The programme prioritizes research that has the potential to slow, stop, or reverse the progression of Parkinson’s disease. Unlike many traditional research grants, it does not fund projects that are solely focused on symptom management or symptomatic treatment.
Funding is available to both academic institutions and commercial organizations, either independently or through collaborative partnerships.
Funding Overview
The programme provides financial support for eligible preclinical, clinical, and translational research projects.
Funding levels include:
- Preclinical research projects: Up to £300,000.
- Clinical infrastructure projects: Typically £75,000 to £300,000.
- Clinical sub-studies: Typically £75,000 to £300,000.
- Clinical trials: Funding depends on the stage and scope of the proposed trial.
Applicants proposing late-stage clinical trials or innovative clinical trial designs are encouraged to contact Cure Parkinson’s before submitting an application.
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to:
- Accelerate the development of disease-modifying therapies for Parkinson’s disease.
- Support research with strong clinical translation potential.
- Advance promising treatments toward clinical testing.
- Improve long-term outcomes for people living with Parkinson’s.
- Encourage collaboration between academic and commercial researchers.
- Strengthen research infrastructure that supports clinical studies.
Research Priority Areas
Funding is available for projects in several priority areas.
Disease Modification Research
The programme supports research that aims to:
- Slow disease progression.
- Stop disease progression.
- Reverse disease progression.
- Develop therapies that modify the underlying disease process.
Projects focused only on symptom relief are not eligible.
Preclinical Research
Eligible preclinical projects must:
- Identify a clear clinical candidate.
- Demonstrate strong scientific evidence.
- Present a realistic pathway toward clinical testing.
- Show the potential to begin testing in people with Parkinson’s within five years.
Clinical Research
Clinical research proposals must:
- Involve people living with Parkinson’s disease.
- Evaluate disease-modifying approaches.
- Contribute to the development of new therapeutic strategies.
Studies involving only healthy volunteers are not eligible.
Translational Research
The programme supports translational research that bridges laboratory discoveries with clinical application, helping promising therapies move from preclinical development into human studies.
Clinical Infrastructure Projects
Funding is available for projects that strengthen the infrastructure needed to conduct high-quality Parkinson’s clinical research.
Clinical Sub-Studies
Researchers may also apply for funding to conduct clinical sub-studies that generate evidence supporting disease-modifying therapies.
Who is Eligible?
The programme is open to applicants worldwide.
Eligible applicants include:
- Academic institutions.
- Universities.
- Medical research institutes.
- Hospitals.
- Commercial organizations.
- Biotechnology companies.
- Pharmaceutical companies.
- Collaborative research partnerships.
Eligible host organizations must:
- Be legally constituted.
- Be actively engaged in research.
- Demonstrate the capacity to conduct the proposed research.
- Maintain appropriate research governance.
- Comply with ethical standards for human and animal research where applicable.
- Provide an institutional letter of support.
- Agree to the grant terms and conditions established by Cure Parkinson’s.
Funding Amount
Funding varies depending on the type of research.
Preclinical Research
- Up to £300,000
Clinical Infrastructure Projects
- Typically £75,000 to £300,000
Clinical Sub-Studies
- Typically £75,000 to £300,000
Clinical Trials
Funding is determined based on:
- Trial phase.
- Scientific scope.
- Study complexity.
Applicants planning late-stage or novel clinical trials should consult Cure Parkinson’s before submitting an application.
Why This Funding Matters
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological disorder with limited treatment options that address the underlying disease process.
This programme helps researchers:
- Develop therapies that target disease progression.
- Translate laboratory discoveries into clinical treatments.
- Strengthen Parkinson’s research infrastructure.
- Accelerate clinical testing.
- Foster collaboration between academia and industry.
- Improve future treatment options for people living with Parkinson’s disease.
How to Apply
Applicants should follow these steps:
- Review the programme guidance and eligibility requirements.
- Determine whether the proposed research is preclinical, translational, or clinical.
- Ensure the project focuses on disease modification rather than symptom management.
- Develop a detailed research proposal with clear objectives and methodology.
- For preclinical studies, identify a clinical candidate and demonstrate a realistic pathway to human testing within five years.
- Obtain the required institutional approvals and letter of support.
- Commercial applicants should prepare additional organizational and financial information.
- Complete the application according to programme requirements.
- Submit the application before the relevant quarterly deadline.
Applicants proposing late-stage or innovative clinical trials should contact Cure Parkinson’s before submission.
Commercial Applicant Requirements
Commercial organizations must provide additional information, including:
- Organizational background.
- Financial information.
- Commercial development plans.
- Cost justification.
Applications may undergo a confidential commercial review to:
- Assess the reasonableness of proposed costs.
- Understand the commercial context.
- Evaluate whether successful outcomes could benefit people living with Parkinson’s disease.
Tips for a Strong Application
To improve the likelihood of funding:
- Clearly demonstrate the disease-modifying potential of the research.
- Present strong scientific evidence.
- Include a realistic clinical translation pathway.
- Explain the expected impact on Parkinson’s treatment.
- Provide detailed methodology and timelines.
- Ensure compliance with ethical and governance requirements.
- Prepare a realistic and well-justified budget.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Proposing research focused solely on symptom relief.
- Submitting preclinical studies without a clear clinical candidate.
- Failing to demonstrate a realistic pathway to clinical testing.
- Conducting clinical studies exclusively with healthy volunteers.
- Omitting institutional support letters.
- Providing insufficient commercial information when required.
- Submitting incomplete applications.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the purpose of the Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme?
The programme supports research that aims to develop therapies capable of slowing, stopping, or reversing the progression of Parkinson’s disease through disease-modifying approaches.
2. Who can apply?
Academic institutions, research organizations, universities, hospitals, commercial organizations, biotechnology companies, pharmaceutical companies, and collaborative partnerships from around the world are eligible to apply.
3. What types of research are supported?
The programme supports:
- Disease modification research
- Preclinical research
- Translational research
- Clinical research
- Clinical infrastructure projects
- Clinical sub-studies
4. What research is not eligible?
Projects focused solely on relieving Parkinson’s symptoms and clinical studies involving only healthy volunteers are not eligible for funding.
5. How much funding is available?
Funding includes:
- Up to £300,000 for preclinical research.
- Typically £75,000–£300,000 for clinical infrastructure projects and clinical sub-studies.
- Clinical trial funding varies depending on the stage of development.
6. Are commercial organizations eligible?
Yes. Commercial organizations may apply but must provide additional organizational and financial information, and their applications may undergo a confidential commercial review.
7. What are the requirements for preclinical research proposals?
Preclinical proposals must identify a clinical candidate and present a realistic plan demonstrating how the research could progress to testing in people with Parkinson’s disease within five years.
Conclusion
The Quarterly Research Grant Funding Programme provides significant international funding for research that seeks to transform the treatment of Parkinson’s disease through disease-modifying therapies. By supporting high-quality preclinical, translational, and clinical research with clear pathways to clinical application, the programme helps accelerate scientific innovation and improve future treatment options for people living with Parkinson’s disease. Researchers should ensure their proposals align with the programme’s disease-modification focus, demonstrate strong translational potential, and meet all scientific, ethical, and organizational requirements before applying.
For more information, visit Cure Parkinson’s.