Cure FA Soirée Travel Grant Program

The 10th annual Cure FA Soirée will be on Saturday, June 5th, 2027 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma (in the USA)! 

The Cure FA Soirée Travel Grant Program was created to make the Soirée more accessible to people with Friedreich’s Ataxia and their families. The Cure FA Soirée is a fundraiser, but Soirée organizers want it to also be an FA Community building event! The 2027 Travel Grant Application will open on October 1st, 2026. Next year's guidelines are below.

Learn more about the Soirée on our Home page, social media sites (found at the bottom of the page), by contacting info@curefasoiree.org, and watch past Soirée performances and speeches on YouTube. Learn about efforts to build and strengthen the FA Community centered around the Cure FA Soirée at community.curefasoiree.org.

Travel Grant Application Guidelines

  • Request Only What You Need: Please request the amount needed to overcome any financial barriers to attending the Cure FA Soirée on June 5th, 2027. Funding for this program is limited, so we ask that applicants be honest about their needs to help as many people with FA and their families as possible attend.

  • Application Disclaimer: Submitting an application does not guarantee you will receive the requested amount.

  • Privacy Assurance: Your information will only be shared with the Travel Grant Committee and grant funding providers.

  • Eligibility: To qualify for a travel grant, you must either have Friedreich’s Ataxia or be a partner or direct family member of someone with FA.

  • Regional Priority: Applications from Oklahoma and neighboring states may be prioritized, but we encourage applications from all eligible individuals, regardless of location.

  • Application Timeline: The application window opens on October 1st, 2026, and closes on February 20th, 2027. Decisions will be communicated by March 20th, 2027.

    • Partial Assistance Only: Please do not request the full anticipated cost of your trip, as this grant is not intended to cover all expenses. It’s designed to help those who face financial barriers attend the Cure FA Soirée.

    • Serious Inquiries Only: Please do not apply unless you plan to attend the Cure FA Soirée and need reimbursement for a trip so that we can allocate funds appropriately.

    • Diagnosis Documentation: You must have documentation confirming an FA diagnosis, which may be requested.

    • Reimbursement Basis: This grant is provided as a reimbursement after you’ve arrived in OKC to attend the Cure FA Soirée. You may be asked to provide receipts.

    • Non-Attendance Policy: If your request for a travel grant has been accepted but you are unable to attend the Cure FA Soirée, you will not receive your reimbursement.

  • Grants are funded at the discretion of the Cure FA Soirée Travel Grant Committee. Applications will be evaluated based on factors such as location, requested amount, travel and lodging plans, and the application write-up.

    Application Review: The Committee will contact you to discuss your application or situation and to discuss your travel/lodging plans by March 10th, 2027.

    Reimbursement Timing: If approved, your reimbursement will be issued after your arrival in Oklahoma for Soirée weekend, no later than June 15th, 2027.

    “Express” Applications: Soirée organizers understand that costs (for tickets and a hotel stay) are increasing. The CFAS Travel Grant Committee has decided to create an "express" version of the application for folks who have attended before and need $300 or less to attend in 2027. Please indicate this is the case when asked on your application and you will be directed through the "express" application.

    Early Review Disclaimer: The Committee may approve applications before the application period closes if sufficient information is provided.

    Ticket Information for Grant Recipients: Approved grant recipients should email Liz Gehr to inquire about sponsored tickets. Do not include the cost of tickets in your anticipated costs. Applicants should use sponsored tickets, and these are available outside of the Travel Grant Program as well.

    Expected Grant Amount Diversity: The Committee aims to provide grants of different amounts to local, national, and international attendees.

    Travel Recommendations for Attendees Outside the South Central US: For those traveling to the Soirée from outside the South Central US, we recommend considering flights into Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) and then driving to Oklahoma City. Oklahoma City’s airport has limited nonstop destinations and is often more expensive, while the 3.5-hour drive to and from DFW can save on costs and reduce travel time with fewer connections.

    • Name (First and Last)

    • Phone Number

    • Email Address

    • City, State/Region, and Country

    • Select the option that applies to you and your request.

      • I've attended the Cure FA Soirée before and my request will be $250 or less.

      • I've never been to the Cure FA Soirée before and/or my request will be for more than $250.

    • *What do you hope to gain from attending the Cure FA Soirée? If you've been before, what's one thing you particularly enjoy?

    • *Tell your FA story! What have you learned through your journey (or interactions) with FA? Which symptom has affected you most or is the hardest to deal with? Looking to the future, what are you scared of? What are you optimistic about? How do you think about or deal with FA? You don't have to answer all (or even any!) of these questions, just give some insight into your situation/outlook.

    • *Share pictures! (optional)

    • What amount of money do you need to be able to attend the Cure FA Soirée in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on June 13th, 2026? (Do not enter your cost. This grant is not intended to cover the full cost of your trip.)

    • How do you plan to spend the money you've requested?

    • What do you anticipate being the full cost of your trip?

    • Have you made your travel and lodging arrangements to attend the Cure FA Soirée? If not, when do you plan to arrange your accommodations? If you've made your hotel/lodging reservation(s), where are you planning to stay?

    • When do you plan to get to town and leave town?

    • Who plans to come with you (if applicable)? Please indicate those with FA or discuss your connection to the FA Community.

    • FARA (the Friedreich's Ataxia Research Alliance) will host a Research Reception on Saturday morning (details and signup TBD). Do you plan to attend? (Yes or No)

    *Questions with an asterisk do not appear on the "express" application.