Sarcoidosis is a complex, difficult-to-diagnose condition that can present in a variety of ways. It can disappear without symptoms in a couple of years for some people or lead to organ damage and death in others. Current treatment options are non-specific and inadequate to effectively eliminate sarcoidosis, and there is an urgent need for stronger foundational knowledge of the disease.  

In September 2021, the Center for Strategic Philanthropy (CSP) and the Ann Theodore Foundation jointly released the first Request for Proposals for the Ann Theodore Foundation Breakthrough Sarcoidosis Initiative. This grant program, announced in tandem with CSP’s Giving Smarter Guide, is focused on increasing scientific understanding of the underlying causes of sarcoidosis.  

The proposal application window was open from September 2021 to January 2022, drawing 31 applications from institutions across the United States. Several groups applied as interdisciplinary teams, weaving expertise from the sarcoidosis field and another research domain that could provide novel insights into sarcoidosis. Of these applications, six were funded for a total of $3.2 million over a two-year period. 

CSP and the Ann Theodore Foundation will announce the next cycle of Request for Proposals in late 2022. The coming cycle will also focus on understanding the root causes of sarcoidosis.