This grant from the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (Blood Cancer United) focuses on improving equity in cancer clinical trials. It provides $2.5 million over multiple years to fund research on overcoming barriers that prevent underrepresented patients from enrolling in therapeutic trials . Studies funded by this RFP will design and test interventions to increase trial participation among minorities, rural residents, older adults, and other disadvantaged groups . Examples include strategies to reduce logistical obstacles, enhance provider referral of diverse patients, or address systemic biases in trial access. By generating evidence on effective approaches, the program aims to ensure all patients have equal opportunities to benefit from cutting-edge cancer research.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to investigators at academic institutions, cancer centers, public health organizations, or similar entities worldwide.
- Both community-based and academic researchers are encouraged to apply (international applicants allowed, as long as project relevance to improving U.S. trial equity is clear).
- Applicants should propose studies that implement and evaluate multi-level interventions to boost clinical trial accrual of underrepresented populations . Projects addressing systemic/institutional barriers (e.g. trial site selection, provider practices) and/or patient-level barriers (e.g. transportation, education, trust) are welcome.
- Multidisciplinary team approaches are encouraged (e.g. involving oncologists, implementation scientists, patient advocates). Prior experience in health equity or clinical trial research is expected.
- The project must be directly relevant to blood cancers or general oncology but should have broader applicability to trial diversity across cancer types.
Funding Details:
- Grant amount: $2,500,000 USD total, disbursed over up to 5 years (anticipated ~$500K per year) . This is a large-scale award to support robust intervention trials or multi-site studies. Indirect costs are limited (per LLS policy, typically ≤11%).
- Funds may cover personnel salaries, patient engagement costs (e.g. travel reimbursements, navigators), data collection and analysis, and other research expenses necessary for implementing the equity strategies. The budget should be appropriate to a major intervention study.
- Awardees will be part of an LLS-sponsored network focusing on trial equity and may have opportunities to collaborate or share data with other grantees. Progress will be evaluated annually, with continued funding contingent on milestones met.
Deadline:
- January 26, 2026 – Full proposals must be submitted via the LLS grants portal by 3:00 PM ET.
- Funding decisions are expected by April/May 2026 , with projects likely starting in mid-2026.
Where to go for further information: