Mobilize San Diego to accelerate cures for cancer in our lifetime.
Curebound’s giving is organized around a local cancer-research model in San Diego, with the largest recent awards going to UC San Diego and other La Jolla-based research institutions. The foundation’s grantmaking centers on translational oncology work that is meant to move from research into patient care, including prevention, detection, immunotherapy, novel therapeutics, and childhood cancer. Recent awards show support for both university-based science and early-stage biotech, with grants to The Regents of University of California UC San Diego, the La Jolla Institute for Immunology, and Sanford Burnham Prebys among the highest amounts in the file. That mix points to a funder that backs research institutions alongside companies pursuing clinical translation. Curebound also uses program-specific funding channels such as Catalyst Grants, Equity Grants, Targeted Grants, Cure Prizes, and Discovery Grants, each tied to cancer research projects in San Diego. Its grantmaking includes work on cancer disparities and underserved communities, pediatric cancer research, and collaborative projects that aim for patient application within a few years.
Cancer detection and treatment innovation are central to Curebound’s portfolio. In 2025, the foundation gave $250,000 to Beken Bio Inc for cancer research across its five research pillars, which include prevention and diagnostic tools, novel approaches and new therapeutic platforms, and personalized immunotherapy. It also awarded $250,000 to Palm Therapeutics Inc and $250,000 to Resolute Science Inc for the same broader research platform. The file also shows support for pediatric cancer research and care: Rady’s Children Hospital San Diego received multiple awards across 2023, 2024, and 2025, including a $21,431 grant in 2025. Equity-focused work appears through Curebound’s Equity Grants program, which targets medically underrepresented and underserved communities through prevention, screening, and detection efforts.
Curebound’s typical award size clusters tightly around the low-to-mid six figures: p25 is $225,575, median is $228,708, and p75 is $534,159. The recent grants list also shows a small number of larger research awards, including a $4,721,574 grant in 2025 and a $3,340,462 grant in 2024. The foundation is a regular funder, not a DAF, and the grant list shows repeated support for the same organizations across multiple years, especially in La Jolla and San Diego. Its active programs are project-based and accept unsolicited applications, with awards for one-time seed funding, larger clinical-stage projects, and multi-year prizes.
$7.1M
$16.4M
$5.5M
$10.7M
Most grants fall between $226K and $534K, with a median of $229K.
25th Percentile
$226K
Median
$229K
75th Percentile
$534K
About 100% of grants go to recipients in CA.
Anne Marbarger
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Curebound gives locally and all listed grants go to U.S. recipients. The grant file is concentrated in California, with La Jolla appearing repeatedly alongside San Diego and Encinitas. Recent recipients include The Regents of University of California UC San Diego in La Jolla, the La Jolla Institute for Immunology in La Jolla, and Beken Bio Inc in San Diego. The geographic pattern is tightly clustered around the San Diego research ecosystem rather than spread across multiple states or countries.
Curebound supports cancer prevention, detection, treatment, immunotherapy, pediatric cancer research, cancer equity, and translational research. Its active programs also include Catalyst Grants, Equity Grants, Targeted Grants, Cure Prizes, and Discovery Grants, each tied to research projects in San Diego.
Yes. The active programs listed for Curebound — including Catalyst Grants, Equity Grants, Targeted Grants, Cure Prizes, Discovery Grants, and the Curebound Grants umbrella program — all note that they accept unsolicited applications.
The typical award size is in the low-to-mid six figures. The grant distribution shows p25 at $225,575, median at $228,708, and p75 at $534,159.
The grantmaking is local and all listed recipients are in the United States. California is the main recipient state, and recent grants repeatedly go to San Diego, La Jolla, and Encinitas.
The file shows repeated support for several organizations over multiple years. Examples include the same San Diego and La Jolla institutions appearing in 2023, 2024, and 2025 grant records, which indicates recurring support rather than isolated one-time awards.
2025
Source: IRS Form 990-PF, fiscal year 2025.
Most recent grants reported to the IRS.
| Recipient | Location | Amount | Year | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| THE REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UC SAN DIEGO | LA JOLLA, CA | $4,721,574 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY | LA JOLLA, CA | $532,374 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS | LA JOLLA, CA | $411,561 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| RESOLUTE SCIENCE INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| BEKEN BIO INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| PALM THERAPEUTICS INC | SAN DIEGO, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| SEREN BIO CORP | ENCINITAS, CA | $250,000 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| THE SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES | LA JOLLA, CA | $207,926 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| SCRIPPS RESEARCH | LA JOLLA, CA | $188,618 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL | SAN DIEGO, CA | $21,431 | 2025 | SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS. |
| The Regents of University of California | La Jolla, CA | $3,340,462 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| UC San Diego Foundation | La Jolla, CA | $838,596 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| La Jolla Institute for Immunology | La Jolla, CA | $603,832 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| Sanford Burnham Presbys Medical Discovery Institute | La Jolla, CA | $228,708 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| Rady's Childrens Hospital San Diego | San Diego, CA | $228,708 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| Salk Institute for Biological Studies | La Jolla, CA | $228,708 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| Rady's Children Hospital San Diego | San Diego, CA | $225,575 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| Scripps Research | La Jolla, CA | $225,000 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| Sanford Burnham Presbys Medical Center | La Jolla, CA | $10,000 | 2024 | Support Cancer Research |
| UCSD Foundation | La Jolla, CA | $1,347,134 | 2023 | Support Cancer Research |
| La Jolla Institute for Immunology | La Jolla, CA | $464,486 | 2023 | Support Cancer Research |
| Sanford Burnham Presbys Medical | La Jolla, CA | $400,000 | 2023 | Support Cancer Research |
| Salk Institute for Biological Studies | La Jolla, CA | $385,950 | 2023 | Support Cancer Research |
| Rady's Children Hospital San Diego | San Diego, CA | $225,575 | 2023 | Support Cancer Research |
| Scripps Resarch | La Jolla, CA | $175,000 | 2023 | Support Cancer Research |
THE REGENTS OF UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA UC SAN DIEGO
$4,721,574SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
LA JOLLA INSTITUTE FOR IMMUNOLOGY
$532,374SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
SANFORD BURNHAM PREBYS
$411,561SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
RESOLUTE SCIENCE INC
$250,000SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
BEKEN BIO INC
SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
PALM THERAPEUTICS INC
$250,000SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
SEREN BIO CORP
$250,000SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
THE SALK INSTITUTE FOR BIOLOGICAL STUDIES
$207,926SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
SCRIPPS RESEARCH
$188,618SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
RADY CHILDREN'S HOSPITAL
$21,431SEE DETAIL IN PART IVCANCER RESEARCH ACROSS FIVE RESEARCH PILLARS; INCLUDING PREVENTION AND DIAGNOSTIC TOOLS, NOVEL APPROACHES AND NEW THERAPEUTIC PLATFORMS, IMMUNOTHERAPIES AND PERSONALIZED VACCINES, CANCER EQUITIES, AND PEDIATRIC CANCERS.
The Regents of University of California
$3,340,462Support Cancer Research
UC San Diego Foundation
$838,596Support Cancer Research
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
$603,832Support Cancer Research
Sanford Burnham Presbys Medical Discovery Institute
$228,708Support Cancer Research
Rady's Childrens Hospital San Diego
$228,708Support Cancer Research
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
$228,708Support Cancer Research
Rady's Children Hospital San Diego
$225,575Support Cancer Research
Scripps Research
$225,000Support Cancer Research
Sanford Burnham Presbys Medical Center
$10,000Support Cancer Research
UCSD Foundation
$1,347,134Support Cancer Research
La Jolla Institute for Immunology
$464,486Support Cancer Research
Sanford Burnham Presbys Medical
$400,000Support Cancer Research
Salk Institute for Biological Studies
$385,950Support Cancer Research
Rady's Children Hospital San Diego
$225,575Support Cancer Research
Scripps Resarch
$175,000Support Cancer Research
Current and upcoming funding from Curebound that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Who can apply: Requires either interdisciplinary or inter-institutional collaboration. Applicants should be independent investigators affiliated with eligible San Diego-based research institutions.
Deadline: 2026 grant application process opened February 27, 2026; no specific closing date stated in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Must be led by an independent investigator affiliated with Rady Children’s Health and require either interdisciplinary or inter-institutional collaboration.
Deadline: 2026 grant application process opened February 27, 2026; no specific closing date stated in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Requires interdisciplinary collaboration. Applicants should be independent investigators at eligible San Diego-based cancer research institutions; interdisciplinary partner investigator required in the LOI phase for Targeted Grants.
Deadline: 2026 grant application process opened February 27, 2026; no specific closing date stated in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Innovative, multidisciplinary projects focused on typically fatal cancers with anticipated patient impact within 3-5 years. Applicants generally must be independent investigators at eligible San Diego-based cancer research institutions.
Deadline: 2026 grant application process opened February 27, 2026; no specific closing date stated in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Requires inter-institutional collaboration. PIs must generally hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent and be independent researchers at a San Diego-based cancer research institute; Curebound's FAQ notes a Catalyst exception, not a Discovery exception.
Deadline: 2026 grant application process opened February 27, 2026; no specific closing date stated in the scraped content.
Who can apply: Equity Grants were awarded in 2024 and 2025; Curebound indicates the Equity RFA is intended to be released over the summer in conjunction with the Childhood Cancers Award. Applicants must meet Curebound research program requirements and typically collaborate with San Diego-based research institutions.
Deadline: Expected summer 2026 RFA release in conjunction with the Childhood Cancers Award.
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