Emily’s Entourage’s (EE) Translational Grant Program provides critical seed funding to innovative investigators with promising strategies that accelerate research and drug development for those in the final 10% of the CF community who do not benefit from CFTR modulators, including those with rare and nonsense mutations.
The objective of this initiative is to fund promising therapies and drug-delivery mechanisms that have the potential to accelerate the development of gene-based therapies for people with CF. Potential areas of interest include but are not limited to the following list.
- Delivery of Nucleotide-based therapies—Nucleotide-based therapies offer transformative potential for CFTR correction. Recent breakthroughs in inhalation-optimized encapsulation techniques, respirable carrier particles, and chemically modified nanoparticles have created unprecedented opportunities for genetic therapy delivery. Novel formulations for systemic and inhalation delivery will be considered within the scope of this RFP.
- Novel Inhaled Formulations for Staphylococcus aureus and CF Pathogens—Multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens significantly impact outcomes in people with CF, driving urgent need for innovative inhaled antimicrobial formulations and delivery systems. Priority targets include MRSA, nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM), and other high-burden CF pathogens.
- Understanding Immunogenicity in CF Nucleotide-Based Therapies—Nucleotide-based therapies for CF encounter significant obstacles from immune recognition and safety issues that can substantially reduce treatment effectiveness. The distinctive CF lung microenvironment amplifies these challenges, highlighting the critical need for insights to advance research on safe, effective, and repeatable gene therapy delivery systems. Our goal is to support research that overcomes current barriers to successful gene therapy administration, enabling patients to receive multiple treatments safely and effectively over time.
Support is available for $100,000 per year (plus 10% for indirect costs). Typically, funding will last for two years. Continuation of funding is contingent on progress, which is reported every six months. View contract terms and conditions here.
To date, EE has awarded 38 grants to researchers from numerous countries and helped to secure over $52.3 million dollars in follow-on funding. The research projects funded by EE have made significant progress in advancing therapeutic development with a number of projects currently advancing to the preclinical stage.
Applicant Eligibility Criteria
Applicants must have a faculty appointment at an academic institution; a PhD, MD, or DO; and a track record of publication and funding. There are no restrictions on citizenship or geography.
Key Deadlines
- Applications will be accepted beginning September 22, 2025, and are due by October 31, 2025, at 11:59 pm (ET).
- Applicants will be notified by December 2025 if they are selected to move to the next round of reviews.
- Applicants will be invited to respond to reviewer comments.
- Funding decision will be made by February 1, 2026 with project start dates by March 1, 2026.
Please review the 2025 grant application guidelines for complete submission requirements.
If you have any questions or would like to discuss your interest in EE’s funding opportunities, please feel free to contact us below.