Funding Opportunities

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation Clinical Investigator Award

This award is to support early-career physician-scientists who are leading innovative, disease-focused research with the potential to transform cancer care. Applicants must be actively involved in patient care and conducting research that can be translated into real-world impact. Preference is given to projects that follow the “Handshake Rule,” meaning the physician directly engages with patients in their research.

 

Awardees receive $200,000 per year for three years to support their research (excluding indirect costs), along with up to $100,000 in medical school debt relief.

 

Eligible candidates must hold an independent Assistant Professor position and apply within the first four years of their appointment. Applicants are expected to dedicate at least 80% of their full-time professional effort to research. Each applicant must also apply in partnership with a Mentor.

 

The CU Cancer Center may submit three nominations to the Damon Runyon Foundation. Submission deadline for internal review is 5 pm MT on Friday, November 7th.

 

Clinical Investigator Award Guidelines

Tumor Host Interactions Program Pilot Grants - FY2026

The THI Program at the CU Cancer Center is offering up to three (3) $35,000 pilot awards to catalyze innovative, cancer-relevant research that aligns with THI priorities and evolving NIH funding trends. This mechanism is open to Full and Mentored THI members only* and is designed to support collaborative, one-year projects with strong potential for future NCI or other national funding.

 

Project parameters:

• Use alternative preclinical models beyond traditional mouse and other animal models.
• Accelerate Translational Research in cancers in Colorado with high incidence and mortality as well as pediatric and rare cancers with unmet therapeutic needs.
• Encourage collaboration with the Developmental Therapeutics (DT) program to advance translational research. *CPC and MCO members may participate if the PI is a THI member

 

If you have questions about the submission process, please email Nikki Chandler. 
If you have questions about your Cancer Center membership status, please email Rachel Vardeman.  

 

Submissions for internal review process are due by 5 pm MT on Monday, November 17th. 

V Foundation- Breaking Barriers in Cancer Research Award

This award is designed to recognize scientists whose personal journeys, shaped by unique experiences and perspectives, bring valuable and often overlooked insights into adult cancer research. The V Foundation’s Breaking Barriers in Cancer Research Award highlights how those lived experiences have influenced career paths and research focus, while supporting some of the most innovative and impactful proposals in the field.  This award is specifically for adult cancer research. 

There are two grant types:

V Scholar: Supports early-career, tenure-track faculty (Assistant Professors) pursuing lab-based or translational cancer research. Designed to help investigators build momentum toward larger grants like R01s. *Please note: the internal LOI must include the V Scholar financial worksheet linked below.* 

Translational: Supports “bench to bedside” research, whose endpoint is planning or in initiation of a clinical trial. Research should apply in some direct way to human beings within 3 years from the end of the grant. Open to investigators at all career stages, with no committed funding restrictions.

The CU Cancer Center may submit one (1) nomination to the V Foundation: 1 Translational or 1 V Scholar. 

Submissions for the internal review process are due by 5 pm MT on Friday, December 5th.

Breaking Barriers Award- V Scholar

V Scholar Financial Worksheet

Breaking Barriers Award- Translational