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

December 2026 (Full application submission deadline, projected)

$75,000 per year for up to 2 years (maximum $150,000 total); no indirect costs allowed

Supports early-career investigators conducting innovative research to advance lung disease science and improve patient outcomes.

--- ## Description The American Lung Association Innovation Award is designed to fund highly promising, early-career investigators who have demonstrated excellence and productivity, supporting research that can advance lung disease science and ultimately improve the lives of those affected by lung disease. The award prioritizes projects that are innovative in their approach, design, and methodology, and have the potential to inform evidence-based clinical practice or policy. All applications are subject to rigorous external peer review and must align with the mission of the American Lung Association to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease. --- ## Due Dates - December 2026 (anticipated, full application submission deadline) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - $75,000 per year, for up to two years (maximum $150,000 total) - No indirect costs allowed - No more than 75% of the requested budget may be used for the awardee’s salary/fringe benefits - No more than 30% of the total budget may be used for permanent equipment --- ## Eligibility - **Career stage:** Early-career investigators with a doctoral degree and a full-time faculty or equivalent professional appointment at a recognized U.S. nonprofit academic or research institution. - **Prior funding:** Must have held a K or R-type NIH award (or equivalent) within five years prior to application. - **Track record:** Evidence of prior excellence and productivity, as reflected in publication record. - **Limitations:** Cannot have been PI on three or more large federal research grants (e.g., R01, U01, P01, VA Merit) during their career. - **Institutional requirements:** U.S.-based, nonprofit, and dedicated to scientific/educational purposes. - **Employment:** Must be authorized to work in the U.S.; institutional certification of employment for the grant duration is required. - **Other:** Applicants may submit only one American Lung Association application per cycle and may only receive this award once. - **Tobacco funding restriction:** Investigators with direct or indirect tobacco/e-cigarette industry funding are ineligible. --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted electronically via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.altum.com). - Required components include: - Project title, summary (general and technical), and research plan (specific aims, strategy, significance, innovation, approach) - Detailed budget and justification - Biographical sketches for all key personnel (5-page limit per person, using the provided template) - Department Head Statement on institutional letterhead - Institutional certifications (employment and compliance with ALA policies) - Disclosure of all active and pending support - Compliance documentation for human subjects, animal use, and biohazards (as applicable) - Resubmissions allowed only once for previously unfunded proposals. - No letters of recommendation required, but a Department Head Statement is mandatory. - Applications undergo administrative and external peer review focused on scientific merit, innovation, feasibility, and alignment with the ALA mission. --- ## Additional Information - The second year of funding is contingent on satisfactory progress and continued funding availability. - No indirect costs are permitted. - Institutional salary cap for the applicant is $212,000. - Up to $2,500 per year can be used for travel/publication costs. - Proposals must not overlap in budget with other funding sources; scientific overlap will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis. --- ## External Links - [American Lung Association Research Awards & Grants Opportunities](https://www.lung.org/research/awards-and-grants-opportunities) - [2025-2026 Innovation Award Application Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.lung.org/getmedia/c894b4bd-0056-4901-b17b-d8aea466bc53/2025_2026-Innovation-RFP-V3.pdf) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.altum.com) --- ## Contact Information | Type | Details | |---------------------|----------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | info@lung.org | | Phone | +1 800-586-4872 | | Funder Contact Page | [Contact the American Lung Association](https://www.lung.org/about-us/contact-us) | | ProposalCentral Help| pcsupport@altum.com | ---

Innovation Award - American Lung Association

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