The Blood Cancer United Academic Clinical Trials Program (ACT) 2026–2027 supports investigator-initiated clinical trials addressing important unmet needs in blood cancers and related premalignant conditions. The program focuses primarily on Phase 1 and Phase 2 trials testing new treatments, expanded uses of existing therapies, and innovative approaches to patient care.
Projects can receive up to $1 million over three years and should be positioned to begin patient enrollment within 3–6 months of the October 1, 2027 award start date. Blood Cancer United continues its partnership with the Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research to co-fund selected ACT grants.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants of any nationality may apply
- The Principal Investigators must be independent investigators with clinical trial experience, holding an MD or potentially other advanced degree
- Applications may include up to two Co-Principal Investigators, identified at the Letter of Intent (LOI) stage
- Proposed studies must be investigator-initiated Phase 1 or Phase 2 clinical trials focused on blood cancers or related premalignant conditions
- Discovery and translational research projects without a clinical trial component are not eligible
A Patient Involvement Plan is mandatory
Funding Details:
- Up to $1,000,000 USD per project
- Funding is available for up to three years
- Annual budgets cannot exceed $200,000 in Year 1 and $400,000 in Years 2 and 3
- Indirect costs are capped at 15% of the total award
Deadline:
- Letter of Intent: September 29, 2026, at 3:00 p.m. ET
- Full Application: January 8, 2027, at 3:00 p.m. ET (by invitation only)
- Award Notification: July 2027
- Award Start Date: October 1, 2027
Further Information:
- The Academic Clinical Trials application begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI). Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application
- The LOI requires a Structured Clinical Abstract, Previous Studies/Preliminary Data/Trial Summary, Patient Involvement Plan table, and NIH Biosketch and Other Support documents for the PI and any Co-PIs
- Applications must be submitted through the Blood Cancer United Research Portal
- Visit the official Blood Cancer United Research Portal and review the ACT Guidelines and Instructions for complete application requirements