This week’s OncoGrants roundup highlights a wide spectrum of funding opportunities advancing cancer science, community partnership, survivorship research, and multi‑investigator team development. From early‑stage pilot awards to large collaborative initiatives, the current slate reflects the diversity of work needed to drive translational progress and improve patient outcomes.
Across this week’s list, you’ll find new pilot mechanisms in colorectal cancer, community‑engaged research in Kentucky, and seed funding for newly independent investigators through the American Cancer Society. Several programs emphasize team‑based science—including two substantial ovarian cancer funding tracks—while others focus on clinical trials infrastructure, treatment‑related toxicity, and survivorship. Together, these opportunities support discovery, equity, and innovation across the cancer continuum.
1. New Pilot Funding Opportunity in Colorectal Cancer (Johns Hopkins CRC CORE)
Johns Hopkins’ Colorectal Cancer Center of Research Excellence (CRC CORE) is offering pilot funding for novel developmental colorectal cancer research programs with translational potential. The goal is to support projects that lack sufficient preliminary data for a peer‑reviewed external grant. Projects are evaluated on potential impact, feasibility within one year, and plans to leverage results for larger external funding. Two awards are available in this cycle.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to faculty, including research associates.
Funding Details:
- $60,000 each for 1 year.
- 2 awards anticipated.
- No faculty salary support.
Deadline:
- Application due: Monday, March 2, 2026 (8:00 am).
- Funding decisions announced by: April 3, 2026.
- Funding period starts: May 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
- Submit application (collated PDF) to: nilo.azad@jhu.edu.
- Questions: nilo.azad@jhu.edu; eroberts@jhmi.edu.
- Program details.
2. MCC Community‑Engaged Research Pilot Award (Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky)
This pilot award supports cancer‑relevant community‑engaged research collaborations between Markey Cancer Center researchers and community stakeholders in Kentucky. The goal is to fund projects responding to cancer‑related, community‑driven needs/priorities. The program explicitly allows basic, clinical, and/or population science approaches as long as the work is cancer‑relevant. It has a defined due date and anticipated start date for this cycle.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Built for Markey Cancer Center researchers partnering with community stakeholders.
- Project focus must be cancer‑relevant (examples listed include etiology, risk reduction, early detection, treatment, survival, or quality of life).
Funding Details:
- $50,000 award amount.
Deadline:
- Application due: April 15, 2026.
- Expected start date: July 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
- Program contact: Jennifer Hiers — jennifer.hiers@uky.edu.
- Program details.
3. American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant Pilot Project Awards (UVM Cancer Center + MaineHealth Cancer Care Network)
UVM Cancer Center and the MaineHealth Cancer Care Network are soliciting applications under an American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (IRG) block grant. The program provides seed money for newly independent investigators to initiate cancer research projects and includes mentoring/career development support elements. Eligibility explicitly includes UVM Cancer Center members as well as other UVM and MaineHealth-affiliated faculty engaged in cancer-relevant research. Applications are submitted through UVM’s Research Application portal and have a stated due date.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Eligible applicants include members of the UVM Cancer Center and other faculty at the University of Vermont, the
- MaineHealth Cancer Care Network, and MaineHealth Institute for Research who are engaged in cancer‑relevant research.
Funding Details:
- Provides seed money for newly independent investigators (award amount is governed by the IRG program materials linked on the UVM portal/guidelines).
- Includes coordination/assistance with mentoring and career development for junior faculty (as described on the program page).
Deadline:
- Applications due: Monday, March 16, 2026 (by midnight).
Where to go for further information:
- Questions: UVMCCgrants@med.uvm.edu.
- Program details.
4. Survivorship and Cancer Outcomes Research Award (SCOR Award) — Pilot Funding (MUSC Hollings Cancer Center)
The SCOR Award funds research on important issues faced by cancer survivors and their caregivers, with a focus on generating preliminary data for competitive extramural proposals. The page lists an award timeline for the current cycle, including the full application due date and funding start date. The program provides an application link via MUSC’s InfoReady platform. Topic areas are listed on the program page as potential directions for applicants.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Eligibility and submission requirements are defined in the RFA/application materials linked via the “Learn More & Apply” portal.
Funding Details:
- Pilot award intended to support survivorship and outcomes research; designed to generate preliminary data for extramural proposals.
- Award amount/budget specifics are provided in the application materials accessible via the application portal.
Deadline:
- Full applications due: July 27, 2026 (11:59 p.m.).
- Funding begins: November 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
5. Cancer Research Support Grant (MNCCTN — Masonic Cancer Center Clinical Trials Network)
The MNCCTN Cancer Research Support Grant is intended to support the development and implementation of interventional cancer clinical trials across MNCCTN partner sites. The program describes three funding pathways (Therapeutic Trial Extension, Expanding Opportunities, and Investigator‑Initiated Non‑Therapeutic Trials) aimed at broadening trial access and reaching populations with high cancer burden or limited representation in research. Applicants begin by submitting a Statement of Intent by email, with additional requirements and timelines provided in the full RFA. Trials supported through the program are required to enroll participants in Minnesota.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Trial requirements and pathway rules are specified in the full RFA document linked on the program page.
- Trials are required to enroll participants in Minnesota (as noted in program FAQs).
Funding Details:
- Supports interventional cancer clinical trials across MNCCTN partner sites; funding offered via multiple pathways (see RFA).
- Funding level/budget specifics are provided in the Full RFA Document on the program page.
Deadline:
- Statement of Intent due: April 26, 2026 (submitted by email; page specifies Sunday, April 26 at 10 p.m.).
Where to go for further information:
- Submit Statement of Intent / contact: mncctn@umn.edu.
- Program details.
6. Ovarian Cancer Research Funding Opportunity FY 2026 Award Cycle (University of Colorado Cancer Center) — Team Science Awards
This RFA track supports ovarian cancer–focused team science proposals aimed at developing large multi‑PI grants (e.g., multi‑PI R01 or other national multi‑project team grants). The intention is to build coordinated teams with substantial contributions from each investigator and a clear pathway to major external funding. Awards are planned for a 24‑month period with milestone‑based expectations. The review uses an NIH‑style peer review process.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Proposal must involve three or more investigators, with at least one Cancer Center member.
- Cancer Center membership required to submit under this RFA.
- Only one proposal per contact/lead PI.
Funding Details:
- Up to $100,000 requested (issued for 24 months).
- Budget is anticipated around $100,000; higher with justification may be considered.
- Funds distributed incrementally based on milestone progress.
- May support up to 5% salary support for co‑PIs and can support effort for faculty‑level biostatisticians/bioinformaticists/other specialists contributing to team proposal development (aligned to milestones).
- No indirect costs funded; funds may not be used to purchase equipment.
Deadline:
- Proposal deadline: March 31, 2026 (5:00 pm MST/MT).
- Study section review: May 14, 2026.
- Anticipated award start date: July 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
- Program/administrative questions: CC_FundingOps@cuanschutz.edu.
- Program details.
7. Ovarian Cancer Research Funding Opportunity FY 2026 Award Cycle (University of Colorado Cancer Center) — Collaborative Pilot Grants
The University of Colorado Cancer Center is offering internal funding to support innovative ovarian cancer research enabled through philanthropic support. The RFA is intended to stimulate impactful translational, clinical, or basic science projects that advance understanding, treatment, or prevention of ovarian cancer. Collaborative Pilot Grants are designed to stimulate multi‑investigator work likely to lead to a multi‑PI NIH or other national grant submission within ~15–18 months. Projects are reviewed using an NIH‑style peer review process.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must involve two or more co‑PIs, with at least one Cancer Center member.
- Cancer Center membership is required to submit under this RFA (membership is voluntary, but required for submission).
- Only one proposal per contact/lead PI.
Funding Details:
- Up to $100,000 requested (issued for a 24‑month period).
- Budgets $75,000–$100,000 anticipated; higher with justification may be considered.
- No indirect costs funded.
- Funds may not be used for faculty salaries or equipment.
Deadline:
- Proposal deadline: March 31, 2026 (5:00 pm MST/MT).
- Study section review: May 14, 2026.
- Anticipated award start date: July 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
- Program/administrative questions: CC_FundingOps@cuanschutz.edu.
- Program details.
8. 2026 Pilot Project Program (UAMS COBRE Center for Studies of Host Response to Cancer Therapy)
The UAMS COBRE Center for Studies of Host Response to Cancer Therapy is funding pilot projects aligned to understanding, predicting, and minimizing early and delayed adverse side effects of cancer treatment. The program targets basic and translational research projects and provides access to COBRE core facilities. Awardees are expected to engage in COBRE/IDeA meetings and provide progress reporting. The call explicitly prioritizes projects with a clear path to subsequent independent (ideally national) funding.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicant must hold a faculty position at UAMS or another academic institution in Arkansas.
- Proposed research should focus strongly on acute or chronic side effects of cancer therapy (mechanisms, socioeconomic impacts, prediction/mitigation strategies, etc.).
- Application should indicate a clear path to subsequent independent follow‑up funding.
Funding Details:
- Up to $100,000 direct costs for 1 year.
- Access to Center core facilities free of charge (Bioanalytical Core; Radiation and Imaging Core).
- Budget limits/restrictions include: no PI/key personnel salary; no subcontracts; no patient care costs; travel only for COBRE/IDeA meetings.
Deadline:
- Applications due: March 15, 2026 (by midnight).
- Anticipated project period: July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027.
Where to go for further information:
- Submit via email to: mboerma@uams.edu (cc AALavender@uams.edu).
- Scientific/program contact: Marjan Boerma, PhD — mboerma@uams.edu.
- Program details.
9. Markey Cancer Survivorship Research Initiative Pilot Award (Markey Cancer Center, University of Kentucky)
This pilot supports research related to cancer survivorship by providing small funds to strengthen competitive extramural grant applications. The program is designed to help Markey investigators generate or extend data collection/analysis relevant to survivorship and outcomes. The announcement lists permissible uses including core/shared resource costs, project management, supplies, and participant compensation. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis until funds are allocated.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Designed to support Markey members conducting cancer survivorship research.
Funding Details:
- $10,000 award amount.
- Rolling applications until funds have been allocated.
- Permissible uses include data collection/analysis, UK core/shared resources, project management, supplies, and participant compensation.
Deadline:
- Application: Rolling basis until funds are allocated.
Where to go for further information:
- Program contact: Jennifer Hiers — jennifer.hiers@uky.edu.
- Program details.
10. Royal College of Radiologists — Kay & Durrant Visiting Fellowships
This is an RCR “educational travel” award designed to support a visiting fellowship. It’s relevant to oncology via clinical oncology and oncology imaging/radiology pathways covered by the RCR. The RCR listing provides the current closing date and application route.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Eligibility criteria are defined by the RCR for this visiting fellowship scheme (see the official listing).
Funding Details:
- Funding is for educational travel/visiting fellowship activity; specific value/allowable costs are set out in the official listing (not visible in the excerpt captured).
Deadline:
- Closing date: Mar 29, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
Whether you are building preliminary data, expanding clinical trials capacity, or developing large multi‑PI projects, this week’s grants provide targeted avenues to advance your work. Explore each opportunity carefully to align your research with the programs best positioned to accelerate your next major milestone.
We’ll continue tracking high-value global oncology funding opportunities each week in OncoDaily’s OncoGrants.