Funding Opportunities

Mary Kay Ash Foundation

Innovative/Translational Cancer Research Grant

The MKA Foundation invites applications for translational research projects focused on breast, cervical, endometrial, ovarian, uterine, and other cancers that predominantly affect women. Projects should aim to advance the understanding, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of these cancers. 

Eligibility: Applicants must hold a full-time appointment at the rank of Assistant Professor or higher. *CU Boulder faculty are eligible to apply.

Funding: $100,000 over two (2) years

Cancer Center Deadline: 5:00 pm MT on Friday, September 25.

Cancer Center Nomination Notification: Week of November 2. One (1) applicant will be nominated. 

Sponsor Deadline: Applications open November 1, 2026, and close February 1, 2027. 

Please review the RFA and internal LOI submission link below for complete eligibility requirements and application instructions. 

Internal LOI and instructions

National Comprehensive Cancer Network Foundation

Young Investigator Award

The NCCN Foundation’s Young Investigator Award is designed to support outstanding early-career investigators pursuing innovative research that advances cancer care and improves outcomes for patients across the oncology spectrum.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold an M.D., D.O., Ph.D., Ph.D., Pharm.D., master's-level nursing degree, or international equivalent; have a full-time faculty appointment; and demonstrate mentor and institutional support.

Funding: $150,000 total for 2 years. 

Cancer Center Deadline: 5:00 pm MT on Friday, October 2  

Cancer Center Nomination Notification: The week of November 9. One applicant will be nominated. 

Anticipated Sponsor Deadline: January 20, 2027. 

Please review the RFP and internal LOI submission link below for complete eligibility requirements and application instructions. 

Internal LOI instructions and submission

St. Baldrick's Childhood Cancer Research Foundation

International Scholar Award

This award supports the development of pediatric cancer researchers from low- and middle-income countries. This program is designed to build sustainable pediatric cancer research capacity by preparing investigators to return to their home institutions and establish or expand research programs that improve outcomes for children with cancer.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold an M.D., D.O., Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree and have completed a pediatric oncology fellowship or at least two years of equivalent training. Applications must include a pediatric oncology research project, a structured training plan at a sponsoring institution in a high-income country, and mentorship from an identified sponsor. Letters of support from both the sponsoring institution and the applicant's institution of origin are required at the full application stage.

Funding: $110,000/year for three years (option for two additional years based on progress).  

Cancer Center LOI Deadline: 5:00 pm MT on Friday, October 2.

Cancer Center Nomination Notification: No later than the week of November 9. One applicant will be nominated.

Sponsor LOI submission deadline: 3:00 pm MT on Tuesday, December 8. (If invited to apply based on LOI review, full applications are due March 5, 2027.)

Please review the RFA and internal LOI submission link below for complete eligibility requirements and application instructions. 

Internal LOI instructions and submission

St. Baldrick's Childhood Cancer Research Foundation

Career Development (Scholar) Award

This award supports promising early-career investigators pursuing independent research focused on pediatric cancer. Research projects may be basic, translational, or epidemiological, but must have direct relevance to childhood cancer. 

Eligibility: Applicants must hold an M.D., D.O., Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree and be employed by a U.S.-based academic, medical, or nonprofit research institution. Applicants must have a full-time faculty position and be within 7 years of their first faculty appointment. Individuals with an active NIH R01, R01 equivalent award, or NIH K award are not eligible. Applicants are also required to identify a mentor/sponsor and, if invited to submit a full application, provide a letter of support from their mentor.    

Funding: $110,000/year for three years (option for two additional years based on progress).  

Cancer Center LOI Deadline: 5:00 pm MT on Friday, October 2.   

Cancer Center Nomination Notification: No later than the week of November 9. One applicant will be nominated.   

Sponsor LOI submission deadline: 3:00 pm MT on Tuesday, December 8. (If invited to apply based on LOI review, full applications are due March 5, 2027.)  

Please review the RFA and internal LOI submission link below for complete eligibility requirements and application instructions.    

St. Baldrick's Childhood Cancer Research Foundation

Survivorship and Supportive Care Research Grant

This award supports hypothesis-driven projects focused on improving outcomes and quality of life for children, adolescents, and survivors affected by cancer. Areas of interest include survivorship, treatment-related complications, patient-reported outcomes, psychosocial support, health communications, health promotion, and end-of-life care.   

Eligibility: Applicants must hold an M.D., D.N.P., D.O., Ph.D. or equivalent doctoral degree and be employed by a U.S.-based academic, medical, or nonprofit research institution. Investigators at all career stages are eligible to apply. Collaborative projects are encouraged; Co-Investigators and Co-PIs are permitted.   

Funding: $50,000 for one year.   

Cancer Center LOI Deadline: 5:00 pm MT on Friday, October 2.  

Cancer Center Nomination Notification: No later than the week of November 9. One applicant will be nominated.   

Sponsor LOI submission deadline: 3:00 pm MT on Tuesday, December 8. (If invited to apply based on LOI review, full applications are due March 5, 2027.)  

Please review the RFA and internal LOI submission link below for complete eligibility requirements and application instructions.  
 

V Foundation

Adult Translational Cancer Research Award

This grant opportunity is restricted to adult cancer research in the preclinical or translational space with a focus on bench-to-bedside strategies.

There are two grant mechanisms: Translational and All-Star Translational. Research on ANY adult cancer type is eligible. Projects may advance a novel strategy toward a clinical trial or use clinical trial specimens to develop biomarkers, test hypotheses, or investigate disease mechanisms. Proposed research must have a clear path to human application within three years of grant completion. A detailed biostatistical or bioinformatics plan is required.   

Eligibility: Applicants must have a full-time faculty position at the rank of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) or higher. All-Star Translational applicants must have previously served as the PI on a V Foundation research grant, with all required reports up to date. Current V Foundation All-Star grantees are not eligible.   

Funding: Translational: $800,000 over four years ($200,000 per year); All-Star Translational: $1M total over five years ($200,000 per year). 

Cancer Center LOI Deadline: 5:00 pm MT on Friday, October 16.  

Cancer Center Nomination Notification: No later than the week of November 30. Two applicants will be nominated: one Translational nominee and one All-Star Translational nominee. 

Anticipated Sponsor Deadline: January 8, 2027. 

Please review the RFAs and internal LOI submission link below for complete eligibility requirements and application instructions. 

V Foundation Translational RFA

V Foundation All-Star Translational RFA