Innovative Developmental and Exploratory Award (IDEA)
Innovative Developmental and Exploratory Award (IDEA) supports established and new investigators pursuing high-risk breast cancer research to advance program priorities and patient or community applications.
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Funder: University of California
Due Dates: October 16, 2026 (LOI, noon PT) | March 4, 2027 (Full application, noon PT)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 in direct costs, or $200,000 for animal or human participant research; maximum 18 months
Summary: Supports speculative, exploratory, high-risk/high-reward breast cancer research addressing California Breast Cancer Research Program priorities.
Key Information: A breast cancer advocate must be identified and engaged by the LOI deadline; full applications require an invitation.
Description
The Innovative, Developmental and Exploratory Award (IDEA) supports high-risk/high-reward projects with a primary focus on breast cancer. The California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP), administered by the University of California’s Research Grants Program Office, offers IDEA in its 2026–2027 funding cycle. Projects should challenge existing paradigms, represent a new direction for the principal investigator, and introduce techniques or approaches not yet well represented in mainstream breast cancer research.
The program welcomes established researchers and new investigators pursuing breakthroughs that could lead to more substantial funding. Research must address at least one CBCRP priority issue and explain its place on a “critical path” toward substantially advancing the topic. CBCRP prioritizes health outcomes for historically underserved populations, California-specific issues, and research leveraging resources unique to California.
