The V Foundation for Cancer Research issues an annual Request for Applications specifically for pediatric cancer research, offering three funding mechanisms in one cycle: the V Scholar Grant (for early-career tenure-track faculty conducting basic or translational research), the Translational Grant (bench-to-bedside projects aimed toward a clinical trial endpoint), and the All-Star Grant (a re-investment award for prior V Foundation grantees). Research on any pediatric cancer type is eligible, including brain tumors, leukemias, sarcomas, and other childhood malignancies. The V Foundation funds exclusively through NCI-Designated Cancer Centers and a select group of invited US and Canadian research institutions, meaning researchers must access this opportunity through their Cancer Center Director’s office. Awards are funded at $800,000 over four years (V Scholar) or $800,000 over four years (Translational), with the All-Star reaching $1,000,000 over five years. The 2026 cycle is currently in the internal institution nomination phase and approaching the full application deadline.
Eligibility Criteria:
- V Scholar: Must hold a full-time tenure-track position (Assistant Professor or equivalent); must be within 5 years of first full-time Assistant Professor appointment by nomination deadline; must not have previously received an R01 or R01-equivalent; must not be a prior V Foundation V Scholar awardee
- Translational: Must hold a full-time faculty appointment at Assistant Professor level or above; prior V Foundation funding not required; proposal must have a clinical endpoint achievable within 3 years of the grant
- All-Star: Must have previously received a V Foundation V Scholar or Translational grant; nominated as an institution’s “best-of-the-best” for a re-investment award
- Research must focus on pediatric cancer; epidemiology, behavioral science, and health services research are outside scope
- Applicants must be at an NCI-Designated Cancer Center or other invited institution in the US or Canada; researchers must contact their Cancer Center Director’s office to be considered for nomination
Funding Details:
- V Scholar and Translational: $200,000/year for 4 years ($800,000 total); no indirect costs allowed
- All-Star: $200,000/year for 5 years ($1,000,000 total)
- Funds cover direct research costs; indirect costs are not supported by V Foundation grants
Deadline:
- Internal institution nomination deadline: March 2026 (exact date set by each Cancer Center’s internal competition — contact your Cancer Center Director’s office immediately)
- Full application to V Foundation: April 2026
- Award notification: July 2026
Where to Go for Further Information:
- V Foundation grant cycle calendar and FAQs
- Grant types overview
- All RFA details distributed via Cancer Center Directors; contact your Cancer Center Director’s office or Grants@v.org