Children's Tumor Foundation

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $8-10 million (Discovery Fund)
• Success Rate: Data not publicly available
• Decision Time: Approximately 5-6 months from LOI to award start
• Grant Range: $57,000 - $200,000 (individual awards)
• Geographic Focus: International (no citizenship requirements)

Contact Details

National Office:
697 Third Avenue, Suite 418
New York, NY 10017

Phone: 212-344-6633
Toll-Free: 1-800-323-7938
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.ctf.org

Grant Questions:
[email protected]
Proposal Central support: [email protected]

Overview

Founded in 1978, the Children's Tumor Foundation (CTF) is the largest private funder of neurofibromatosis (NF) research worldwide. The organization is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator for nine consecutive years, with over 82% of funds directed to research and programs. Under the leadership of President and Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Annette Bakker, CTF has shifted from a traditional funding model to an innovative "funder-partner" approach that emphasizes collaboration and open science. The foundation's Discovery Fund, an $8-10 million initiative, supports research across all forms of NF, including neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and all types of schwannomatosis (SWN), including NF2-related schwannomatosis (NF2-SWN). CTF caps university overhead at 10%, ensuring more funding reaches researchers compared to other funding sources. The foundation has pioneered collaborative research models like Synodos, which assembles "dream teams" of doctors, scientists, and patients to tackle complex problems together.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Young Investigator Award (YIA)
$57,000 - $200,000 over 2 years | Application cycle: LOI in December, full application in January-February, award start July 1

CTF's longest-running program (since 1985) provides salary support to early career NF researchers including senior doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. Funding aligns with Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) stipends. Maximum award is $200,000 over two years, inclusive of 10% indirect costs. YIA funding is for salary support only and cannot be used for research expenses. The program serves as seed funding to help researchers generate preliminary data to secure larger grants from NIH and CDMRP NFRP.

Drug Discovery Initiative (DDI)
Up to $200,000 over 2 years | Rolling or annual cycle

Stimulates NF drug discovery by funding researchers investigating novel or repurposed therapies for NF or developing tools to support such research. Over 70 DDI awards have been funded since the program's inception in 2006. Applicants must have full access to or identified collaborators with required in vivo and in vitro models.

Clinical Research Awards (CRA)
$101,000 - $200,000 over 2 years | Application cycle: LOI January-February, award start September 1

Advances development of effective clinical treatments, interventions, and management for patients living with NF. Priority given to proposals investigating bold, forward-thinking solutions that improve everyday functioning for people with NF and promote new directions for disease management with potential for future large-scale studies.

NF Data Utilization (NDU)
Amount varies | Part of Discovery Fund

Supports data-driven research leveraging CTF's NF Data Portal and collaborative data resources.

Contract Awards
$85,000 - $1.2+ million | Invitation-only

Special awards assigned by invitation to academic researchers or for-profit entities for specific task-oriented projects with scope or requirements beyond other grant mechanisms. Invited applicants receive specific application process instructions.

Preclinical Hub (PCH) Program
Amount varies | Program-specific

Stimulates NF drug discovery by funding development of translational preclinical tools to support drug screening efforts, providing access to NF-focused tools and resources to accelerate drug development.

Priority Areas

• NF1 Research: Malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumors (MPNSTs), pseudarthrosis, breast cancer risk, biomarkers, learning disorders, plexiform neurofibromas
• NF2-SWN Research: Tumor growth mechanisms, vestibular schwannomas, hearing loss, DGCR8 syndrome
• Schwannomatosis Research: Pain management, novel pain inhibitors, inflammation pathways
• Drug Development: Novel therapies, drug repurposing, target validation, preclinical tools
• Translational Research: Projects with clear path to clinical application
• Early Career Development: Attracting new talent to NF research field
• Collaborative Research: Multi-institutional projects through Synodos model
• Patient-Centered Research: Research incorporating patient perspectives and improving quality of life

What They Don't Fund

• Research expenses under YIA (salary support only)
• Projects without clear NF focus
• Standard operating expenses not related to research
• Projects without potential for generating data to secure larger external funding

Governance and Leadership

President and Chief Scientific Officer:
Dr. Annette Bakker - Under her leadership, CTF shifted to a funder-partner model emphasizing collaboration and accelerated drug discovery. Dr. Bakker emphasizes persistence and innovation: "It is a numbers game... One day you will find the person who believes in it." Her favorite motto: "Never accept the Status Quo — Always use the 'UN' in your approach."

Governance Structure:

• Board of Directors - Sets policy, monitors NF research progress, provides strategic direction and oversight
• Business Advisory Council - Industry experts from pharma, biotech, and venture capital providing strategic direction and assessing program effectiveness
• Medical Advisory Committee (MAC) - Physicians, scientists, and NF research funding organization directors who guide efforts to support and fund the most innovative NF research
• Clinical Care Advisory Board - Includes patient representatives who provide clinical care guidance
• Junior Board - Young professionals advancing CTF's mission with energy and passion

Patient Engagement:
CTF has developed a framework for including lay reviewers in the grantmaking process. Patient representatives serve as co-reviewers for research programs, act as advisors to research teams, and participate in strategic planning. The Patient Representative Program trains individuals with NF and their families to participate as advocates throughout all phases of research.

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications submitted through Proposal Central (proposalcentral.com)

Young Investigator Award:

1. Letter of Intent (LOI): Early November - early December (4:00 pm ET)
2. Full Application: Early January - early February (4:00 pm ET) for invited applicants
3. Award Start: July 1

Clinical Research Awards:

1. Letter of Intent (LOI): Early January - early February (4:00 pm ET)
2. Full Application: Invitation-based
3. Award Start: September 1

Drug Discovery Initiative: Check CTF website for current cycle dates (may be annual or rolling)

Contract Awards: Invitation-only; invited applicants receive specific instructions

Decision Timeline

Approximately 5-6 months from Letter of Intent submission to award start date. For example, YIA LOI deadline in early December leads to July 1 award start. Specific notification dates between LOI submission and full application invitation, and between full application and award notification, are not publicly disclosed.

Success Rates

Specific success rates and application-to-award ratios are not publicly available. Recent funding announcements indicate CTF typically funds 8-9 Young Investigators per cycle and multiple DDI awards annually. The foundation emphasizes quality over quantity, seeking innovative research with high translational potential.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not publicly disclosed on the website. Applicants should contact [email protected] for guidance on reapplication eligibility and waiting periods.

Application Success Factors

Eligibility Requirements

Young Investigator Award:

• Graduate student pursuing MD, PhD, or equivalent degree, OR postdoctoral fellow with no more than 7 years post first doctoral degree
• Affiliation with senior researcher who serves as research sponsor
• Commitment to minimum effort requirements per YIA Guidelines
• No citizenship requirements (international applicants welcome)

Drug Discovery Initiative:

• Full access to or identified collaborators with required in vivo and in vitro models
• Clear drug discovery focus with translational potential

What CTF Values

Innovation and Novel Approaches:
CTF prioritizes "bold, forward-thinking solutions" that challenge the status quo. Dr. Bakker's leadership philosophy of using the "UN" in your approach reflects the foundation's commitment to unconventional thinking.

Translational Potential:
Proposals should demonstrate clear pathway to clinical benefit. DDI applications should be "short and concentrated on obtaining key preliminary data needed to quickly advance to the next step of drug discovery."

Seed Funding Strategy:
CTF acts as a "seed funder" providing early-stage support to generate preliminary data for larger grant applications. Successful YIA applicants often go on to secure NIH and CDMRP funding. Several former YIA recipients are now leaders in the NF research and clinical communities.

Collaborative Spirit:
The Synodos model emphasizes data sharing and cross-institutional collaboration. CTF values researchers willing to share unpublished data and work across traditional boundaries.

Patient-Centered Focus:
Patient representatives serve as lay reviewers in the grant process. Research should demonstrate awareness of patient needs and potential for improving quality of life for people with NF.

Efficient Use of Resources:
With 10% maximum overhead cap (versus typical 50%+ at other funders), CTF demonstrates commitment to maximizing research impact per dollar invested.

Recent Funded Projects (Examples)

2024 Drug Discovery Initiative Awards (over $995,000 total):

• Dr. Ljubica Caldovic, Children's Research Institute: "Targeting PRMT5 in MTAP-Deleted NF1 High Grade Gliomas" - Testing PRMT5 inhibitors on NF1 glioma cell lines
• Dr. Kimberly Ostrow, Johns Hopkins University: "GsMTtx-4 as a Novel Inhibitor to Block Non-NF2-SWN Pain" - Pain management for schwannomatosis

2024 Young Investigator Awards (over $888,000 total):

• Ramya Ravindran, Cincinnati Children's Hospital: "Pathways that drive inflammation and EMT in Schwann cells after NF1 loss" - Plexiform neurofibroma development

2024 Clinical Research Award:

• National Cancer Institute/Children's National Medical Center collaboration: Novel physiologic biomarker of pain in NF1

Common Success Factors

• Clear focus on NF1, NF2-SWN, or schwannomatosis
• Innovative approach with strong scientific rationale
• Realistic timeline for achieving key milestones within 2-year funding period
• Demonstration of how preliminary data will lead to larger grant applications
• Evidence of access to necessary resources and models
• Patient-centered outcomes and quality of life considerations
• Strong mentor support (for YIA applicants)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• Think innovation first: CTF explicitly seeks projects that challenge conventional approaches and offer "bold, forward-thinking solutions" - incremental research is less competitive
• Emphasize translational pathway: Clearly articulate how your research will advance toward clinical application and generate data for larger external grants (NIH, CDMRP)
• Leverage the collaborative model: Consider how your project could contribute to or benefit from CTF's Synodos collaborations and NF Data Portal
• Start with YIA if early career: The Young Investigator Award has launched numerous successful NF research careers - it's an excellent entry point into CTF funding and the NF research community
• Contact before applying: For DDI and Contract Awards especially, consider reaching out to [email protected] to discuss project fit before investing time in full application
• Include patient perspective: With patient representatives serving as lay reviewers, ensure your application clearly communicates relevance to people living with NF
• Maximize the 10% overhead advantage: When planning budgets, emphasize how CTF's low overhead policy allows more efficient research compared to other funding sources

References

• Children's Tumor Foundation official website (www.ctf.org), accessed January 2026
• "Female Disruptors: Annette Bakker of Children's Tumor Foundation," Authority Magazine/Medium, featuring quotes from Dr. Bakker on leadership philosophy
• "Women in Science Spotlight: Annette Bakker, PhD, on Innovation and Real-World Impact for Patients," CTF News, accessed January 2026
• "8 Bold Minds, $888K to Fuel the Future of NF Research," CTF News, 2024 YIA award announcements
• "2024 Drug Discovery Initiative Awardees," CTF News, accessed January 2026
• "Children's Tumor Foundation Invests Nearly $700,000 in NF1 Young Investigator Awards and Drug Discovery Initiatives," CTF News, 2023
• "Children's Tumor Foundation Announces Substantial Investment in NF2-related and non-NF2-related Schwannomatosis Drug Development," CTF News, 2023
• Charity Navigator profile for Children's Tumor Foundation (EIN 13-2298956), accessed January 2026
• ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer, Children's Tumor Foundation (EIN 13-2298956)
• "Patient Engagement," CTF website, information on Patient Representative Program
• Vanderbilt University BRET Career Development program, CTF Young Investigator Award details
• Children's Tumor Foundation Wikipedia entry, historical and organizational information
• Give.org (BBB Wise Giving Alliance), Children's Tumor Foundation profile