The CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline incubator program is a partnership between Brandon BioCatalyst, ANDHealth and Dementia Australia.
Funded by the Federal Government’s Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF), the program aims to support the development of novel approaches, spanning therapeutics, diagnostics, assistive and medical devices and digital health technologies, that will prolong or improve the lives of the estimated 421,000 Australians currently living with Dementia and the 1.6 million caregivers who support them.
Program overview
The CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline program provides non-dilutive grant funding of up to $5m per project. The funding supports commercially orientated projects, through tranche funding dispersed upon the successful completion of key pre-agreed project milestones.
Funding is available to innovations that support the early diagnosis, prevent severity of progression and/or management of the cognitive, neuropsychiatric, and motor symptoms of dementia and/or promote enabling environments to increase safety and quality of life of those living with dementia and cognitive decline.
Projects developing novel biomarkers, diagnostics, therapeutics (novel and repurposed), assistive devices and digital technology approaches and products at the preclinical, clinical and commercial development stages are eligible to apply.
CUREator+ will provide successful small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) with access to capital, commercial guidance, international expert networks, and hands-on support and mentorship to drive the translation and commercialisation of their opportunities.
In addition to program oversight, SMEs will be supported to secure follow-on funding and facilitate their continued development.
CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline will provide funding up to a maximum of $5 million per project in two funding stages.
Stage 1: Funding available between $1 million to $2.5 million. Funding will be provided in tranches and aligned to commercially relevant milestones. Successful projects will have up to 2 years to complete project activities and achievement of milestones, agreed as part of the application process.
Stage 2: Top-up funding will be available on a competitive basis to successful companies (maximum total of $5 million in grant funding per project from Stage 1 and 2) who meet their milestones during the Stage 1 period. Successful projects will have a maximum total of 4 years to complete Stage 1 and 2 project activities and achievement of milestones.
Funding rounds and guidelines
CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline funding will be available through a competitive process and Stage 1 funding will be delivered in two rounds.
Expression of Interest (EOI) applications for the first round are now open. EOIs will close on the 4th July 2024 at 12:00pm (AEST).
Interested entrepreneurial researchers, clinical innovators, founders and start-ups are invited to apply via: https://cureatorplus.grantplatform.com/
A second round for Stage 1 funding will open in 2025.
Before applying, please refer to the CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline funding guidelines – 2024.
Application process
All applications entail a multi-stage process, modelled on the existing CUREator+ process. All applications commence with an EOI application that must be submitted online at: https://cureatorplus.grantplatform.com/
The application platform and funding guidelines contains supporting information to guide your submission. Late applications will not be considered.
Applications for CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline funding follow a multi-stage process:
Applicants that successfully complete due diligence will need to be endorsed by the evaluation committees for funding. Successful applicants will be required to execute the grant agreement and the Commonwealth Commercialisation terms prior to the awarding of funds.
Evaluation committees
As detailed above, applications will be evaluated at each stage by the CUREator+ IRC and the Dementia Australia-led CSC, as well as the IAC at the full application stage.
The CUREator+ IRC, who have expertise in the field of dementia and cognitive decline, consists of independent members, representatives from Dementia Australia, a nationally representative sub-committee of the Brandon BioCatalyst IRC, and representatives from the ANDHealth network.
The CUREator+ IRC has an international and national track record in the development and commercialisation of therapeutics, medical devices, diagnostics and digital health. The committee members have strong, diverse experiences in pharma, IP, business development, venture capital, clinical, R&D and biomedtech/digital health organisations.
Dementia Australia will lead the CSC, including representatives from Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA), Indigenous Australians, consumers, community members (including patient advocates) and health providers.
The CSC will review projects at each stage of the selection process to ensure projects address the breadth of patient, carer and workforce needs.
Short-listed projects at the full application stage will be reviewed by an International Advisory Committee (IAC) of international experts, who bring significant, senior level, experience relevant to dementia and cognitive decline across multiple health and technology areas.
For more information on the CUREator+ Dementia & Cognitive Decline program:
CUREator+ will host a national webinar with each funding round and encourages prospective applicants to book a 30-minute meeting with the CUREator+ team to discuss their opportunity.
To view the CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline program webinar visit: CUREator+ Dementia and Cognitive Decline Information Session Recording (youtube.com)
To arrange a meeting to discuss any opportunities related to therapeutics, biomarkers, devices and diagnostics or general enquiries, please contact the CUREator team at: info@cureator.com.au
To arrange a meeting to discuss any opportunity related to digital and connected health innovations or general enquiries, please contact the ANDHealth team at cureatorplus@andhealth.com.au
