The Melanoma Research Alliance Young Investigator Award supports early-career faculty with original ideas and the potential to become future leaders in melanoma research.
The award funds innovative preclinical, translational, or early clinical research with the potential to produce high-impact, near-term advances in melanoma prevention, detection, diagnosis, or treatment. A formal mentorship commitment from a senior investigator at the applicant’s institution is required. (Cure Melanoma)
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must hold, or have secured, an independent full-time academic faculty appointment at the level of Assistant Professor or equivalent.
- Applicants must be within the first five years of their first independent, full-time faculty appointment.
- Applicants whose faculty position will begin by June 1, 2027, may apply.
- Applicants who previously received an MRA Young Investigator Award cannot apply for another award under the same mechanism.
- Investigators previously funded by MRA must be current with all reporting requirements.
- Each investigator may serve as Principal Investigator on only one MRA proposal across all award mechanisms and Special Opportunity Awards during this funding cycle.
- Applicants may be based at eligible academic or nonprofit research institutions in the United States or internationally.
Funding Details:
- The award provides up to USD 85,000 per year.
- The maximum award period is three years.
- The maximum total award is USD 255,000.
- Funding supports innovative preclinical, translational, and/or early clinical melanoma research.
Deadline:
- Applicant Eligibility Checklist and biosketch deadline: September 14, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Full proposal deadline: November 5, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Award notification: April 2027.
- Anticipated project start date: June 1, 2027.
Further Information:
- Projects should present original and transformative research with a clear scientific rationale and a credible path toward near-term benefit in melanoma prevention, detection, diagnosis, or treatment.
- Applications are assessed according to scientific and clinical importance, rigor and feasibility, investigator qualifications, institutional environment, and the strength of the proposed mentorship relationship.
- The Eligibility Checklist and biosketch must be uploaded through the Young Investigator Award’s LOI function in ProposalCentral, although no formal research LOI is required.
- Applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral, and eligibility or program questions may be directed to science@curemelanoma.org.
- Official program information and application details: Visit the Melanoma Research Alliance 2026–2027 Request for Proposals page for the current RFP, eligibility requirements, submission deadlines, award conditions, and application updates.