Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Therapeutics Development Award (TDA)
Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CF Foundation / CFFT)
Up to $3M–$5M (Component II)
Researched for this program: 4 rejection traps · 6 required documentsWhat decides this award ↓
CF drug-development funding for companies
The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation's Therapeutics Development Award (TDA) is a venture-philanthropy program that funds for-profit companies — U.S. and international — developing therapies for cystic fibrosis. It provides upfront, milestone-based funding plus technical support to de-risk early-to-mid-phase CF drug development, from discovery and preclinical work through Phase 2. Component II (later-stage) awards are typically supported at up to $3M–$5M over two or more years and require substantial matching funds; only direct costs are covered. In exchange, the Foundation receives milestone payments, royalties on net sales, and/or other consideration if the therapy is commercialized — the model that famously returned billions to the Foundation via Vertex. Companies are the direct recipients and apply via a letter of intent followed by a full proposal.
- Funding type
- Award
- Level
- Foundation
- Amount range
- Up to $3M–$5M (Component II)
- Realistic amount
- Component II awards for advanced programs run up to $3M–$5M (multi-year), with the company providing substantial matching funds. Earlier discovery/preclinical (Component I) awards are smaller and project-scoped.
- Deadline
- Cyclical. The Foundation periodically invites letters of intent (LOIs) for the Therapeutics Development Award; full proposals follow by invitation. Cadence varies — confirm the current LOI window on cff.org / awards.cff.org.
- Status
- active
- States
- Nationwide
- Payment model
- milestone
Who qualifies
- For-profit company (U.S. or international) developing a therapy relevant to cystic fibrosis
- Program addresses CF drug discovery, preclinical, PK/PD, or clinical development through Phase 2
- Able to provide substantial matching funds (especially for Component II)
- Willing to accept milestone/royalty/revenue-sharing terms on commercial success
- Credible scientific and development plan
Hard requirements
- Must be an incorporated business
What it covers
Eligible expenses
- Direct costs of CF drug discovery and preclinical development
- PK/PD and IND-enabling studies
- Clinical studies in people with CF through Phase 2
- Project personnel and materials (direct costs only)
Ineligible expenses
- Indirect costs / overhead (only direct costs are covered)
- Work not relevant to cystic fibrosis
- Activities outside the approved milestones
How to apply
-
1
Engage the CF Foundation drug-development team
Discuss program fit with the Foundation's research/drug-development team and confirm relevance to CF priority areas and the appropriate component (I or II).
~8 hrs
-
2
Submit a letter of intent (LOI)
Submit an LOI during an open window via awards.cff.org outlining the therapy, stage, plan, and budget.
~20 hrs
-
3
Submit full proposal (by invitation)
Invited applicants submit a full development plan: scientific rationale, milestones, direct-cost budget, matching funds, regulatory strategy, and team.
~60 hrs
-
4
Scientific/development review
The Foundation reviews scientific and development merit and CF relevance through its review process.
~8 hrs
-
5
Negotiate award agreement
Negotiate the milestone-based agreement, including matching-funds and royalty/milestone payback terms, then receive funding against milestones.
~24 hrs
Treat the TDA as venture philanthropy, not a grant: the Foundation expects matching funds and takes milestone/royalty payback on success, so model the royalty/repayment terms into your cap table before you sign. Engaging the Foundation's drug-development team early (before the LOI) is the real path in — they co-shape fundable programs.
Deadline & timing
The CF Foundation issues TDA LOI calls on a recurring but not strictly fixed cadence; companies can also engage the Foundation's drug-development team directly. Check awards.cff.org for the open LOI window.
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