[American Lung Association](https://www.lung.org)

December 1, 2025 (Full application)

$75,000/year for up to 2 years (total $150,000 maximum)

Supports outstanding early-career investigators advancing innovative research in lung disease science.

Applicants must have held an NIH K- or R-type award in the past 5 years and cannot have served as PI on 3+ large federal grants.

--- ## Description This opportunity supports highly promising early-career investigators with demonstrated excellence and productivity to pursue innovative, hypothesis-driven research in lung disease. The award is intended to foster impactful projects that can advance lung disease science, inform clinical practice or policy, and contribute to the mission of the American Lung Association: improving lung health and preventing lung disease. Research may be basic, clinical, translational, or behavioral, and must be relevant to lung health. --- ## Due Dates - **Application deadline:** December 1, 2025 (11:59 PM ET) - **Peer review period:** January–April 2026 - **Outcome notifications:** June 2026 - **Award term begins:** July 1, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - **Award:** $75,000 per year - **Duration:** Up to 2 years (total maximum $150,000) - **Budget notes:** - No more than 75% of the requested budget may be used for the PI’s salary and fringe benefits. - No more than 30% of the total award budget may be used for permanent equipment. - Indirect costs are not allowed. - Up to $2,500/year may be used for travel or publication costs. - The second year of funding is contingent on satisfactory progress and continued availability of funds. --- ## Eligibility - **Career stage:** Early-career investigators with a doctoral degree and a full-time faculty or equivalent professional appointment at a U.S. nonprofit institution. - **Prior funding:** Must have held an NIH K- or R-type award within the 5 years preceding application. - **PI experience:** Cannot have served as PI on three or more large federal grants (e.g., R01, U01, P01, VA Merit). - **Institution:** Must be a U.S.-based nonprofit college, university, or scientific/research institution. - **Employment:** Applicant must be authorized to work in the U.S. and have employment expected to continue for the full grant period. - **Other:** Only one application per applicant per cycle; an individual may only receive this award once. - **Conflict of interest:** No funding to researchers with direct support from the tobacco or e-cigarette industry. --- ## Application Process - **Submission portal:** [proposalCENTRAL](https://proposalcentral.altum.com/) - **Required materials:** - Online application via proposalCENTRAL - Project summary (general and technical) - Research plan (specific aims, research strategy, significance, innovation, approach; 7 pages max) - Biographical sketches for all key personnel (5 pages max, NIH-style) - Department Head statement (on institutional letterhead) - Budget and justification - Other support documentation - Assurances for human subjects, vertebrate animals, and biohazards, as applicable - **Review:** Applications undergo administrative screening and external peer review, focusing on scientific merit, innovation, technical feasibility, applicant qualifications, and relevance to the ALA mission. - **Resubmissions:** Unfunded applications may be resubmitted one additional time in a future cycle. --- ## Additional Information - Applicants are encouraged to submit IRB/IACUC approvals at the time of application or before the award start date. - Written critiques are provided to all applicants after review. - The award period is fixed (July 1, 2026 to June 30, 2028); flexible start dates are not permitted. - No overlap of budgeted support with other active or pending awards. --- ## External Links - [Full RFP and guidelines (PDF)](https://www.lung.org/getmedia/c894b4bd-0056-4901-b17b-d8aea466bc53/2025_2026-Innovation-RFP-V3.pdf) - [Awards and Grants Opportunities page](https://www.lung.org/research/awards-and-grants-opportunities) - [Review and Funding Process](https://www.lung.org/research/awards-and-grants-opportunities/review-and-funding-process) - [Apply via proposalCENTRAL](https://proposalcentral.altum.com/) - [FAQs for Awards & Grants](https://www.lung.org/research/awards-and-grants-opportunities/faq) - [Terms and Conditions (PDF)](https://www.lung.org/getmedia/9a72f10c-d8bc-4f1a-9669-3d257ee801d9/2026-2028-American-Lung-Association-Award-Terms-and-Conditions.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [info@lung.org](mailto:info@lung.org) | | Awards & Grants program | [research@lung.org](mailto:research@lung.org) | | Technical/application support | [pcsupport@altum.com](mailto:pcsupport@altum.com) or 1-800-875-2562 | | Funder website | [https://www.lung.org](https://www.lung.org) | | Phone (American Lung Association) | 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) | ---

American Lung Association Innovation Award

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