CRI Clinical Innovator
CRI Clinical Innovator supports academic researchers leading early-phase cancer immunotherapy trials to test novel treatments, study response mechanisms, and identify biomarkers to improve patient outcomes.
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Funder: Cancer Research Institute
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (Protocol concept) | April 1, 2027 (Invited full proposal)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1 million per trial, plus indirect costs up to 10% of the award
Summary: Supports academic investigator-initiated, early-phase cancer immunotherapy trials investigating novel treatments, mechanisms of response, and predictive biomarkers.
Key Information: Applicants must be the study’s Principal Investigator and conduct research at a nonprofit institution.
Description
The Cancer Research Institute’s Clinical Innovator program supports pioneering immunotherapy clinical trials designed and led by academic researchers. It funds innovative phase I/II or phase II studies testing novel immunotherapy approaches, investigating mechanisms behind clinical response, and discovering or validating predictive biomarkers. The goal is to improve patient outcomes, address high unmet need, and generate mechanistic insights that guide future cancer treatment.
The program emphasizes translational rigor and reproducible, shareable findings. Competitive studies integrate standardized sample collection, correlative assays, and advanced data analyses. CRI may provide strategic guidance on trial design and encourages data sharing through CRI iATLAS. In partnership with the Chordoma Foundation, CRI also invites proposals accelerating effective treatments and ultimately a cure for chordoma.
