Discovery Boost Grants (DBG)
Discovery Boost Grants (DBG) support independent investigators' high-risk, innovative cancer research, funding methods development, feasibility studies, and pilot testing to open new areas of investigation.
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Funder: American Cancer Society
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (December cycle) | June 1, 2027 (June cycle)
Funding Amounts: Up to $135,000 per year for up to two years, plus 10% indirect costs; maximum $297,000
Summary: Supports high-risk, high-reward exploratory cancer research through methodology development, feasibility studies, and pilot testing.
Key Information: Winter 2026 applications are restricted to the ACS-Fanconi DBG RFA and must align with its scientific scope.
Description
The American Cancer Society’s Discovery Boost Grants support high-risk, high-reward exploratory research across the cancer research continuum. Investigators may develop research methodologies, establish feasibility, or pilot test innovative ideas. Projects must be highly innovative rather than continuations of current work. The goal is to generate findings and preliminary data that can attract additional funding and open new areas of investigation.
The program is administered through the Extramural Discovery Science Department and supports independent investigators at any career stage. Preliminary data are permitted but not required, although strong data or other evidence supporting the proposed project are viewed favorably during review. ACS is refining the mechanism to align more precisely with emerging research priorities.
