GENERAL
Q: What is the XSeed Award?
A: The XSeed Award is focused on advancing transformational science to address compelling unmet medical needs and advancing an environment of diversity and inclusion. The annual award program, with up to two awards funded, provides grant money to a diverse population of the most talented researchers and entrepreneurs in New York City. It helps address a critical funding gap, bridging promising translational research to marketplace and commercial success.
PROJECT SUBMISSION
Q: Who is eligible to apply?
A: Entrepreneurs and Principal Investigators whose full-time employer is located within New York City or who have an academic appointment at a NYC-based Institution are eligible to apply.
Q: How can I apply?
A: To submit an application, please visit the Proposal Submission Page to begin. Please do not submit any confidential information. All information submitted will be considered and treated as non-confidential.
Q: Can I submit more than one proposal?
A: Applicants are limited to one proposal submission per cycle.
Q: Does the XSeed award have a therapeutic area of interest?
A: We encourage applicants of all therapeutic areas to apply to the 2025 submission cycle.
Q: How many application cycles are there in a year?
A: There will be one application cycle per year.
PROJECT SELECTION
Q: How are applications selected?
A: The Committee Members will select two teams that will receive up to $250,000 each. Finalists will have the opportunity to present their startups to a panel of Leadership Committee Members.
Q: Who will be reviewing my proposal?
A: The applications will be reviewed by the members of the Leadership Committee, which includes the following members for 2024: Joseph Pearlberg, MD, PhD, Committee Co-Chair and Vice President of Scientific Affairs, Deerfield Management; Christine Brideau, PhD, Vice President of Preclinical Pharmacology at Deerfield Discovery and Development (3DC); Glennis Mehra, PhD, Director of Biolabs@NYULangone; Claire Pomeroy, MD, MBA, President, Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation; and Jane Williams, MD, MPH, Vice President, head of Neuroscience, Rare Disease and Pediatrics at Syneos Health.
Q: What are the contents of the Letter of Intent/Application?
A: The Letter of Intent/Application is located on the submission portal. Applicants can access it by creating a profile and beginning the process by visiting the application portal. The application will ask you to address the following:
Applicant demographics
Indication
Modality
Target
Stage of Development
Existing intellectual property
Total budget request
In addition, applicants will be required to attach a one-page summary that outlines three key areas listed below:
What is the problem you are hoping to address and the advantages of your approach?
What is the unmet clinical need and disadvantages of current approaches?
The hypothesis and biological rationale, and why your team is the best to accomplish your research goal.
Finalists selected will be asked to present their project to a panel of Committee members, summarizing all points in their application and highlighting the specific aims of their research. Selected finalists will be notified through email at least one week prior to the presentation date.
Q: What does project acceptance include?
A: In addition to receiving award funding, the winning teams and finalists will have access to the Cure ecosystem and additional programs and resources. The teams will have access to investors, entrepreneurs, and business experts. Through the XSeed Award it is anticipated that these startups will bolster their network and significantly raise their visibility.