The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) offers global grant opportunities to support innovative, patient-centered cancer research projects with near-term clinical impactoncodaily.comoncodaily.com. Emphasizing international and interdisciplinary collaboration, Rising Tide grants fund translational studies and early-phase clinical trials that address unmet needs in cancer care, such as novel therapeutics, diagnostics, or interventions to improve patient quality of life. Calls are issued as rolling Letters of Intent with multiple deadlines per year, enabling agile support for cutting-edge ideas worldwide.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Principal Investigators must be affiliated with an academic or clinical research institution (worldwide) and possess the appropriate qualifications to lead a clinical/translational cancer research project.
- Proposed research should have a clear pathway to patient benefit, typically involving proof-of-concept clinical studies, validation of breakthrough technologies, or novel treatment approaches.
- Multicenter and multinational projects are encouraged; patient involvement (e.g., patient advisors or advocates in the research design) is viewed favorablyoncodaily.comoncodaily.com
Projects focusing on rare cancers, innovative trial designs, or access disparities are welcome, provided they align with RTFCCR’s mission of overcoming barriers in cancer treatment
Researchers of any nationality may apply; collaborations between investigators in different countries are permitted and encouraged
Funding Details:
Grant types: Rising Tide typically funds projects in the range of CHF 150,000 to CHF 1,000,000 (Swiss Francs) total, depending on scope and merit. The exact budget must be justified and commensurate with project needs
Project duration: 1 to 3 years (most funded studies are expected to yield tangible results within this time frame)
Supported costs: Personnel salaries, clinical trial costs (e.g. patient enrollment expenses, sample analysis), necessary equipment and consumables, patient engagement activities, and travel directly related to the project. Indirect costs are generally not covered
Co-funding: If partial funding is requested or the project has other sponsors, this should be disclosed – RTFCCR often partners with other foundations (as seen in joint RFAs) to co-fund high-impact studies
Reporting: Grantees must provide semi-annual progress updates and a comprehensive final report; continuation of funding (for multi-year grants) is contingent on satisfactory progress
Deadline:
- Next LOI deadline: March 9, 2026 (for the spring 2026 review cycle).
- Additional 2026 LOI deadlines: May 29, 2026 and November 23, 2026oncodaily.com (calls are typically quarterly – check RTFCCR’s website for exact dates).
- LOI decision: Approximately 4–6 weeks after submission. Selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.
- Full application deadlines: Will be communicated upon LOI acceptance (usually about 6–8 weeks after invitation).
- Award notification: Varies by cycle, typically within 3 months of full submission. Projects are expected to start soon after contract execution.
Where to go for further information:
- Program information: Rising Tide Foundation – Grant Opportunities page (Rising Tide official site) – outlines current focus areas and submission portal.
- LOI template and submission: Via the Rising Tide SmartSimple portal (create an account and select the “Cancer Research” funding call).