The Florida Department of Health Live Like Bella Pediatric Cancer Research Initiative FY 2026–27 supports competitive research aimed at advancing cures, improving treatment, expanding clinical trial participation, and reducing the burden of pediatric cancer in Florida.
The program offers several funding mechanisms covering discovery science, emerging therapeutics, clinical trials, early-career investigators, innovative high-risk research, and research equipment. Depending on the grant category, applicants may receive up to $900,000 for projects lasting up to four years. The required Letter of Intent is due September 2, 2026. (Florida Department of Health)
Eligibility Criteria
- Applications may be submitted by Florida-based universities or established research institutes.
- Every proposal must identify one corresponding Principal Investigator (PI); Co-PIs are permitted.
- The PI must be an employee of the applicant institution and meet that institution’s requirements for serving as PI.
- The PI must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident; non-U.S. citizens may participate as collaborators or research-team members.
- New Investigator Research applicants must generally have been full-time faculty for no more than six years and work under the mentorship of a senior investigator.
- Multicenter Clinical Trial applications must involve investigators from at least two distinct Florida research or clinical facilities and be implemented at two or more Florida locations.
Funding Details
The Live Like Bella Initiative offers several grant categories:
- Multicenter Clinical Trials: Up to $900,000 for up to 48 months.
- Emerging Therapeutics and Technologies: Up to $600,000 for up to 36 months.
- High-Risk, High-Reward Clinical Trials: Up to $300,000 for up to 48 months.
- New Investigator Research: Up to $300,000 for up to 36 months.
- Discovery Science: Up to $250,000 for up to 36 months.
- Non-Typical Clinical Trials/Socio-Behavioral Research: Up to $250,000 for up to 36 months.
- High-Risk, High-Reward Discovery Science: Up to $125,000 for up to 36 months.
- Equipment: Up to $100,000 for up to 12 months.
- Bridge Grant: Up to $100,000 for up to 6 months.
Deadline
- LOI opened: August 11, 2026.
- Required LOI deadline: September 2, 2026 at noon ET.
- Full application opens: September 8, 2026.
- Full application deadline: October 21, 2026 at noon ET.
Further Information
- Institutional approvals such as IRB, IACUC, biosafety, or radiation safety approvals must be addressed when applicable.
- Official program page: View the official website
- Application and LOI portal: available through the Application and LOI Intake link on the official program page.
- Official FY 2026–27 FOA: View the official Funding Opportunity Announcement