Current eligibility allows researchers with an Impact Score (or equivalent) between 1–45 to apply for this mechanism. This includes grants with a status of "competitive not discussed" status. Investigators with questions about their eligibility or chance of success within this program are encouraged to reach out to the program officer.

As a result of funding constraints on governmental agencies in the United States and other countries, coupled with the growing interest in cystic fibrosis research, occasions arise in which highly meritorious grant applications are submitted to these governmental agencies but are not funded. The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation does not intend to assume the role of the National Institutes of Health (NIH) or other governmental funding agencies elsewhere but instead wishes to ensure that the momentum in CF research is not irreversibly slowed.

Support from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation is intended to provide for the development of preliminary data to make CF-related grant applications highly competitive at the NIH (or in review processes of governmental funding agencies in other countries).

To be considered for this program, applications must have been submitted to:

• NIH as an R01 and have an impact score no greater than 45

  OR

• Governmental funding agencies (U.S. or international) with an NIH R01-equivalent funding program that provides reviewer critiques and a report indicating the application received an impact score between 1-45 

In both cases, the applications must be able to be resubmitted to the funding agency within one year of receiving a CFF/NIH R01-Unfunded Award to be eligible for consideration.

Note: Fellowship applications and other funding mechanisms other than R01 (or equivalent) do not qualify for this program. Unfunded R21 projects are no longer accepted through this mechanism. Investigators should consider revising and submitting these projects through the Research Grant/Path to a Cure Research Grant funding mechanisms that are accepted May and December each year.

Change to Program Guidelines for 2026: Applicants may only request one year of funding through this mechanism. Additional funding should be requested through other CF Foundation funding mechanisms. 

The maximum award amount is $125,000 per year for one year (direct costs only); indirect costs are not allowable. 

Policies and Guidelines

Please review the 2026 Policies and Guidelines for complete submission information.

Deadline

Applications must be submitted online at awards.cff.org by 5 p.m. ET on November 30, 2026.

For More Information

Those who are interested in any funding programs offered by the CF Foundation can get further information or discuss the potential relevance of their studies or research by contacting Jodie Chan, the pre-award specialist for this program, at jchan@cff.org.

Please Direct Inquiries to:

Grants and Contracts Management and Administration (GCMA) Office
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
4550 Montgomery Ave.
Suite 1100 N
Bethesda, MD 20814
800-FIGHT-CF 
301-841-2614