Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation Names 2026 Grant Recipients to Advance Breakthrough Research in Childhood Cancer
New Funding Supports U.S. Researchers Focused on Improving Survival, Reducing Treatment Toxicity and Accelerating Next-Generation Therapies
IRVINE, Calif., March 5 2026 — The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (“PCRF”), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization focused on transforming pediatric cancer care by accelerating research breakthroughs, today announced its 2026 grant recipients. This year’s funding will support leading researchers and clinician-scientists working to improve survival rates, reduce treatment toxicity and advance next-generation therapies for children with cancer.
Despite significant scientific advances, pediatric cancer research remains chronically underfunded compared to adult cancers, limiting the pace at which new therapies can be developed and brought to children. Early-stage funding is a critical catalyst for generating the data needed to move promising therapies into clinical development and improve patient care.
“If we don’t invest in the next generation of pediatric cancer researchers and clinicians, progress will stall, and children will be left waiting for better options,” said Danielle Fragalla, CEO, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation. “This year’s grants support work that is directly shaping how pediatric cancers are detected, treated and managed. That includes liquid biopsy tools that can identify relapses earlier, as well as targeted therapies and strategies to reduce long-term toxicity. This research has the potential to change clinical care for children.”
Legacy Research Grant Recipients
Legacy Research Grants support longstanding PCRF-funded researchers whose work has demonstrated sustained progress and potential for clinical impact.
- Brian Crompton, MD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Advancing liquid biopsy approaches to
detect circulating tumor DNA and identify relapse risk in Ewing sarcoma - Elliot Stieglitz, MD, PhD, University of California, San Francisco – Targeting the Ras pathway
in juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia using RMC-7977
Emerging Investigator Fellowship Grant Recipients
Emerging Investigator Fellowship Grants support postdoctoral fellowships and clinical investigator training for emerging pediatric cancer researchers to pursue their innovative research ideas.
- Lev Gorfinkel, MD, PhD, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – Evaluating a CD45 antibody-drug
conjugate to improve stem cell transplant conditioning and reduce toxicity - Rubia Isler Mancuso, PhD, Yale University – Studying genetic drivers of leukemia in an RBM15-
MKL1 model of acute megakaryoblastic leukemia
Translational Research Grant Recipients
Translational Research Grants fund “bench-to-bedside” programs designed to move discoveries into clinical trials and patient care.
- Rebecca Ronsley, MD, Seattle Children’s Hospital – Identifying biomarkers of response to
Delta-24-RGD therapy in diffuse midline glioma - Anupriya Agarwal, MD, Oregon Health & Science University – Developing intervention and
prevention strategies for RUNX1-mutated leukemia - Carl Allen, MD, PhD, Baylor College of Medicine – Evaluating combined chemotherapy and
MAPK inhibition for pediatric Langerhans cell histiocytosis - Zachary Morris, MD, PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison – Testing theranostic
radiopharmaceutical NM600, alone and with CAR T cells, for pediatric medulloblastoma - Ibrahim Chamseddine, MD, Massachusetts General Hospital – Developing a predictive risk
score for hearing loss following pediatric brain cancer radiotherapy
Together, PCRF’s 2026 grant recipients represent a nationwide effort to advance new therapies and improve outcomes for pediatric cancer patients and their families. To learn more about PCRF and the research it supports, visit www.pcrf-kids.org.
About Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
Determined to transform pediatric cancer care by accelerating research breakthroughs, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation has one goal: to make it possible for all children facing childhood cancers to beat their disease and realize their full potential. Overseen by scientific thought leaders, its rigorous and competitive process for awarding research grants has contributed to pivotal advancements in the areas of non-Hodgkin lymphoma, immunotherapy/CAR T cells, osteosarcoma, juvenile myelomonocytic leukemia and acute myeloid leukemia. The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation is a GuideStar Platinum-rated charity. Powering Cures, Realizing Futures, its inspiring motto, encapsulates the Foundation’s motivation and commitment.
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