[American Cancer Society](https://www.cancer.org)

June 1, 2025 | December 1, 2025

Up to $135,000/year (direct) for 2 years plus 10% indirect costs; max total $297,000.

Supports high-risk, high-reward exploratory cancer research to generate preliminary data for future funding.

Open to independent investigators at any career stage at US nonprofit research institutions.

--- ## Description Discovery Boost Grants (DBG) from the American Cancer Society are designed to support high-risk, high-reward exploratory research across the cancer research continuum. These grants are intended for independent investigators aiming to develop new methodologies, establish feasibility, or conduct pilot studies in cancer research. The expectation is that preliminary data generated through DBG funding will position investigators to secure additional grant support and launch innovative research directions in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, or survivorship. --- ## Due Dates - June 1, 2025 - December 1, 2025 If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted the following business day. --- ## Funding Amount - Up to $135,000 per year (direct costs) for up to 2 years - Plus up to 10% indirect costs (maximum total: $297,000 for a 2-year project) - These grants are not renewable, but a no-cost extension of up to 1 year may be requested if justified --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must be independent investigators at any career stage (no early-career or citizenship restrictions) - Must hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DVM, or equivalent) - Must have a full-time faculty position or equivalent at a US-based, nonprofit research institution (college, university, medical school, or similar) - The institution must provide facilities and resources customary for independent investigators - There are no citizenship requirements - Only one resubmission is allowed per proposal --- ## Application Process - Applications are submitted electronically via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) - Required components include: - Application cover pages with PI signature - Research plan (maximum 5 pages, plus 1 page for Specific Aims) - NIH-format biosketch for PI and key personnel (max 5 pages each) - Budget and budget justification - Letters of support from collaborators/consultants (if applicable) - Compliance statements (human subjects, vertebrate animals, biohazards, as appropriate) - Statement of institutional support (from department chair or equivalent) - Appendix (optional, for relevant supporting documents) - Detailed instructions and templates are available in the [ACS Grant Application Instructions (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-instructions.pdf) - Only one principal investigator per application (no co-PIs) --- ## Additional Information - Preliminary data are not required but may strengthen the application if available - Projects must align with at least one ACS research priority area (e.g., etiology, screening, treatment, survivorship, health equity) - Review criteria focus on significance, innovation, cancer relevance, research plan, investigator/team, environment/resources, and potential for future funding - Minor budget changes (<$15,000/year) do not require pre-approval; major changes or equipment >$5,000 require ACS approval - Recipients may transfer the grant to another eligible institution with ACS approval --- ## External Links - [DBG Program Page & Guidelines](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/discovery-boost-grants.html) - [ACS Grant Policies (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-policies.pdf) - [ACS Grant Application Instructions (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-instructions.pdf) - [Apply via ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) - [ACS Grant Types Overview](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types.html) - [ACS Research Priority Areas](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-priority-research-areas.html) - [Frequently Asked Questions](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/faqs-program-changes-and-application-submission.html) --- ## Contact Information | Topic | Contact Info | |--------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General inquiries | [grants@cancer.org](mailto:grants@cancer.org) | | ACS Grants Office | [Extramural Grants Staff Contacts](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-grants-staff-contacts.html) | | ProposalCentral support | pcsupport@altum.com or 1-800-875-2562 | | ACS main phone | 1-800-227-2345 | ---

Discovery Boost Grants (DBG)

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