The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) funds innovative patient-centered clinical trials worldwide. The foundation supports high-impact studies (Phase I–III trials and related translational research) that address critical unmet needs in cancer treatment, prevention, or care delivery. Proposals should emphasize patient benefit, such as trials testing novel therapies, precision medicine approaches, or interventions to improve quality of life and health equity in cancer care. Rising Tide particularly encourages projects that might be too early-stage or outside-the-box for traditional funders.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applications must come from a non-profit academic institution or hospital (principal investigator as the lead) anywhere in the world. For-profit companies can collaborate but cannot be the lead applicant.
- Focus on interventional clinical research: Phase I, II, or III trials of drugs, devices, or clinical strategies. (Exception: Early detection projects may include late-preclinical work if ultimately leading to a trial).
- Patient involvement is key – e.g., inclusion of patient advocates in study design is strongly recommended. Basic science or epidemiologic studies without an intervention are not funded.
Funding Details:
- Grant Size: Not fixed; funding is tailored to project needs. RTFCCR has funded awards from ~$200,000 up to multi-million-dollar grants for large trials (totaling ≈CHF 10–20 million across all grants per year).
- Duration: Typically 2–4 years, depending on the trial.
- Coverage: Direct trial costs (e.g., patient enrollment costs, research nurse/data management support, specialized assays).
- No indirect costs/overhead are provided.
- Projects undergo rigorous external peer review and a strategic portfolio fit assessment. Payment is milestone-based, with continued support contingent on meeting trial milestones and Board approval.
Deadline:
- Letters of Intent (LOI) Deadline: March 9, 2026 (upcoming spring 2026 cycle). Additional LOI deadlines in 2026: June 22, 2026 and November 23, 2026.
- LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected LOIs are invited to submit full proposals (~6–8 weeks after LOI). Final funding decisions are made at RTFCCR Board meetings held three times a year.
Where to go for further information: