Annual translational research grants targeting cancers affecting women. The Mary Kay Ash Foundation invites one application per eligible institution to fund innovative laboratory-to-clinic research on breast, ovarian, endometrial, cervical or other women’s cancers . Projects should aim to improve cancer diagnosis, prevention, or treatment for women through impactful translational science.
Eligibility Criteria:
- U.S. NCI-designated cancer centers and accredited medical schools are invited institutions (one proposal each) . An invitation from the Foundation is required to apply, ensuring alignment with program goals.
- Principal Investigator must hold a faculty appointment. Early- to mid-career investigators are encouraged, but senior investigators at invited institutions may also apply.
- Research must be translational – bridging laboratory findings to clinical applications – and focused on cancers primarily affecting women . This includes breast, gynecologic cancers or other relevant malignancies in women.
Funding Details:
- Grant Size: Up to $100,000 total for a 2-year project . This includes direct and indirect costs combined (indirect costs capped at 15% of total).
- Project Support: Funds may cover salaries, consumables, and limited equipment to execute the research. Institutions are expected to waive or limit overhead given the cap.
- Grant Volume: ~10–15 grants awarded annually (competitive nationwide) . Continuation beyond 2 years requires reapplication.
Deadline:
- Application Opens: November 1 each year .
- Application Closes: February 1, 2026 (for the 2025–26 cycle) .
- Awards are announced in September/October (Breast Cancer Awareness Month) with funding starting in October.
Where to go for further information: