Mussallem CHD Alliance Blue-Sky Therapeutics RFP Now Open for Applications
The Science Philanthropy Alliance is pleased to administer the Mussallem CHD Alliance Blue-Sky Therapeutics Program, a new funding opportunity designed to catalyze early-stage, high-risk, non-device therapeutic innovation for congenital heart defects (CHD).
About the Mussallem CHD Alliance
The Mussallem CHD Alliance champions solutions for people born with heart defects so they can survive and thrive. We are driving systems-level change through our work in innovation, advocacy and community building. Our approach to fostering innovation centers around accelerating the delivery of new therapies that enable CHD patients to survive and thrive – from idea to impact. We are supporting the development of new technologies and programs at nascency, helping innovators within startups and strategics get their new therapies across the finish line, and ensuring that existing technologies at risk of neglect or discontinuance don’t fall off the map.
MCA is the flagship initiative of the Linda and Mike Mussallem Foundation. For more information, please see www.mussallemchdalliance.org.
About the Blue-Sky Therapeutics Program
Through this program, MCA seeks to support bold scientific ideas with the potential to generate novel therapeutic hypotheses, establish early proof-of-concept evidence, and lay the foundation for future translational development, follow-on funding, partnerships, and larger-scale research efforts.
Awards of up to $350,000 over two years will be made to investigators at U.S.-based academic institutions and nonprofit research organizations. Funding will be milestone-based, with Year 2 support contingent on successful completion of Year 1 milestones.
The program welcomes applications from investigators both within and outside the CHD field, particularly those bringing new scientific perspectives, therapeutic modalities, technologies, or drug development expertise to congenital heart disease.
Letters of Intent should be submitted as a single PDF to submissions@sciphil.org by August 17, 2026.
Key Dates
- RFP Launch: July 6, 2026
- Informational Webinar: July 27, 2026
- Letter of Intent Deadline: August 17, 2026
- Proposal Invitations: September 21, 2026
- Full Proposal Deadline: November 9, 2026
- Final Review Meetings: January 2027
- Final Funding Decisions: February 2027
Join the informational webinar to hear directly from Foundation staff about the vision and motivation behind this funding opportunity, the goals of the RFP, and what the Foundation hopes to support. The webinar will also include an overview of the application process and a live Q&A for prospective applicants. Please register for the information session HERE.
Below, you will find frequently asked questions (FAQs), application instructions, and grant program materials for the Mussallem CHD Alliance Blue-Sky Therapeutics Program, including eligibility requirements, proposal guidelines, review criteria, and award terms.
Why apply to the Blue-Sky Therapeutics Program
This program funds bold, early-stage scientific ideas that can transform congenital heart defect treatments
Secure milestone-based funding
Receive up to $350,000 over two years for your research
Explore non-device therapeutic innovation
Test novel therapeutic hypotheses beyond traditional device approaches
Build foundation for future funding
Establish early proof-of-concept evidence for translational development
Access partnership opportunities
Connect with strategic partners and follow-on funding sources
Apply cross-disciplinary expertise
Bring new scientific perspectives from outside CHD field
Pioneer new treatment modalities
Introduce novel therapeutic modalities and drug development approaches
Support systems-level change
Join MCA's mission to help CHD patients survive and thrive
Fast-track therapeutic development
Accelerate delivery of new therapies from idea to impact