The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) Established Investigator Award is a two-year, $250,000 grant designed to support experienced researchers—either long-standing melanoma investigators or senior scientists from related disciplines seeking to redirect their work toward melanoma. The award places a particular emphasis on addressing unmet clinical needs and encourages proposals aligned with MRF’s Strategic Treatment Priorities (STPs), though all scientifically meritorious applications are welcome. A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required and serves as the first step in the application process, which runs entirely through ProposalCentral. The award period spans October 31, 2026 through October 30, 2028, with the first disbursement in October 2026.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree at the time of submission
- Established melanoma researchers or senior investigators transitioning into melanoma from related fields
- International applicants welcome; no citizenship or residency restrictions
- Strong departmental and institutional support required
- Applications addressing MRF’s identified Strategic Treatment Priorities (STPs) may receive extra consideration
- Proposed research may not duplicate a currently funded MRF project
- Resubmissions of previously reviewed proposals accepted up to a maximum of twice
Funding Details:
- Award amount: $250,000 total ($125,000/year over two years)
- Award period: October 31, 2026 – October 30, 2028
- Covers basic and clinical melanoma research, including cutaneous, uveal, and mucosal subtypes
- Costs for open-access publication and data sharing are allowable within budget
- Funds disbursed four times over the two-year period
- No-cost extensions of up to one year available with sufficient justification
Deadline:
- Letter of Intent (LOI): March 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET
- Full proposal invitations issued following LOI review
- Award notifications expected late summer/early fall 2026
- Submit via ProposalCentral
Contact / Further Information:
- Email: research@melanoma.org
- Full RFP and application guidelines
- MRF Funded Research and past recipients
- Applicants are encouraged to direct eligibility questions to the MRF before submission