Repurposing Research for Chicago 2026: Track 1 – Investigator Groups
Funds Chicago-area clinical trials repurposing existing therapies for new disease indications, led by early career or underrepresented investigators, with emphasis on innovation and community engagement.
Funder: Cures Within Reach
Due Dates (Anticipated): May 2027: Letter of Intent deadline (projected)
Funding Amounts: Up to $125,000 per project (including required 20% institutional match); additional $5,000–$15,000 available for community engagement.
Summary: Supports Chicago-area clinical repurposing trials for unsolved diseases led by early career or underrepresented investigators, focusing on innovative therapies and community engagement.
Key Information: Forecasted opportunity—dates and details may change; check the funder’s program page for updates.
Description
This opportunity funds clinical repurposing trials at Chicago-area research institutions, specifically those led by Early Stage Investigators (within 10 years of terminal degree or residency) and/or underrepresented researchers (including certain racial/ethnic minorities, women, individuals with disabilities, or disadvantaged backgrounds). Eligible projects must test therapies (drugs, devices, nutraceuticals, diagnostics, or combinations) already approved or recognized as safe for human use by a major regulatory agency, but in new indications not currently standard of care. The program strongly prefers proof-of-concept, pivotal, Phase I, or IIA trials—especially those supported by strong preclinical evidence, real-world data, or AI/machine learning drug-disease matching.
Community engagement with local organizations is required for health disparities-focused trials and optional for others. The goal is to generate robust, reproducible clinical outcomes and data that can support further funding and additional trials.
