The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) Career Development Award supports junior investigators early in their research careers who are focused on addressing unmet clinical needs in melanoma research. It is a two-year award providing $50,000 per year ($100,000 total) for both established melanoma researchers and scientists from adjacent fields who wish to transition their focus to melanoma. Applications for 2026 are currently open via ProposalCentral and require a Letter of Intent (LOI) as the first step. The award period runs from October 31, 2026 through October 30, 2028. MRF has funded over $28 million in melanoma research since 1998, making this one of the field’s most prestigious career-launching honors.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree at the time of submission
- Junior investigators focused on addressing unmet clinical needs in melanoma
- Open to researchers from adjacent fields transitioning into melanoma research
- All residency/citizenship statuses eligible; international applicants welcome
- Proposed research cannot be identical to a currently awarded MRF grant
- Applicants must demonstrate strong departmental and institutional support
- No more than one submission per applicant per cycle (resubmissions permitted up to twice)
Funding Details:
- Award amount: $100,000 total ($50,000/year over two years)
- Award period: October 31, 2026 – October 30, 2028
- No indirect costs permitted; funds cover direct research expenses
- Interim financial and scientific reports due 30 days before end of year one
- Final report due within 60 days of end of award period
- Open-access publication charges and data storage costs are allowable
Deadline:
- Letter of Intent (LOI): March 31, 2026, 11:59 PM ET (one-page LOI required before full proposal)
- Full proposal invitations issued to shortlisted LOI applicants following review
- Award notifications expected by late summer/early fall 2026
- Submit via ProposalCentral
Contact / Further Information:
- Email: research@melanoma.org
- Full RFP and application guidelines
- MRF Grant Eligibility & Requirements
- Applicants are encouraged to contact the MRF with eligibility questions before submitting