The ChadTough Defeat DIPG Game Changer Grant 2027 provides up to US$600,000 over three years for research on diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) and diffuse midline glioma (DMG). The foundation seeks studies that test a clear hypothesis and could change how these childhood brain tumors are understood, detected or treated.
Both individual investigators and teams working across institutions can apply. The first step is a letter of intent with a one-page scientific overview that explains the problem, the hypothesis and how the team plans to test it.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold an MD, PhD or both by the letter-of-intent deadline.
- The applicant must be the principal investigator and have authority to direct the research.
- Applicants must be employed by an academic institution, nonprofit research institution or laboratory.
- Researchers outside the United States may apply. U.S. citizenship is not required.
- Collaborative proposals must name one lead investigator and include letters explaining each collaborator’s role.
- Applicants may submit one application per cycle and cannot apply for both the Game Changer and New Investigator grants in the same round.
Funding Details
- Maximum award: US$600,000 over three years, capped at US$200,000 per year.
- Continued funding: Years two and three depend on satisfactory progress and budget review.
- Excluded costs: Indirect costs, travel, patient services and student tuition. The foundation does not allow overlap with other funding.
Deadline
- Letter of intent: January 11, 2027.
- Full application invitations: February 24, 2027.
- Full application, by invitation: March 31, 2027.
- Award decisions: June 2027. Funding starts August 1, 2027.
Further Information
- Official 2027 application guidelines
- Apply through ProposalCentral — search for “ChadTough Defeat DIPG.”
- Contact: grants@chadtough.org