The Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) Research Innovation Award funds novel, high-risk, high-reward projects with genuine potential to produce major breakthroughs in the understanding of bladder cancer and upper tract urothelial carcinoma. This is one of BCAN’s flagship senior investigator mechanisms, providing up to $300,000 over two years to both established and mid-career researchers. The 2026 competition ran a January LOI stage, and shortlisted applicants have now been notified and are in the full-application phase, with final submissions due April 10, 2026. Research may be basic, translational, clinical, or epidemiological and must have direct relevance to bladder cancer. BCAN has awarded over $12 million in grants since 2005 and is particularly known for funding bold ideas that mainstream funders overlook.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) at a full-time, independent investigator level at a non-profit academic, medical, or research institution in the United States or Canada
- Must not currently hold another active BCAN grant
- 2026 LOI stage is closed; only applicants who submitted an LOI by January 13, 2026 and received invitation letters by February 27, 2026 are eligible to submit full applications
- Researchers whose primary expertise is outside of bladder cancer are eligible if they include a Co-Primary Investigator with bladder cancer expertise
- Research must have direct applicability to bladder cancer and/or upper tract urothelial carcinoma
Funding Details:
- Up to $300,000 total over 2 years
- Year 1 cap: $200,000 (Year 2 contingent on satisfactory progress report)
- Up to 10% indirect costs on total direct costs
- Eligible costs: PI and staff salary/benefits (PI salary capped at 20% of budget), research supplies, equipment (no capital equipment >$2,000); travel to BCAN Think Tank meetings required and fundable
- Award period begins approximately September 2026; awardees expected to attend the 2026 BCAN Think Tank meeting in August
Deadline:
- Full application deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026 (invited applicants only)
- Award decisions announced: July 2026
- Application guidelines and full RFA
Where to Go for Further Information: