Innovative, Developmental, and Exploratory Awards (IDEA)
Innovative, Developmental, and Exploratory Awards (IDEA) support researchers pursuing high-risk breast cancer studies that challenge existing paradigms and seek breakthroughs with value for patients or communities.
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Funder: California Breast Cancer Research Program
Due Dates: October 16, 2026, noon PT (LOI) | March 4, 2027, noon PT (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 or $200,000 in direct costs; maximum project duration 18 months
Summary: Supports innovative, exploratory, high-risk/high-reward breast cancer research that challenges paradigms and could lead to breakthroughs.
Key Information: Applicants and research must be California-based, with an organization-affiliated California advocate engaged by the LOI deadline.
Description
The California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) offers IDEA Awards for speculative, exploratory research with a primary focus on breast cancer. The program welcomes established investigators, new independent investigators, and researchers entering breast cancer research from other fields. It seeks projects that challenge existing paradigms, take investigators in new directions, or introduce methods, approaches, and collaborations not yet well represented in mainstream breast cancer research.
IDEA Awards support attempts at breakthroughs that could lead to more substantial funding, rather than incremental advances or smaller versions of existing projects. Applicants must explain the critical path from their research to practical value for patients or communities. Breast cancer or appropriate community advocates participate throughout the research, helping connect project design, implementation, interpretation, and dissemination to community priorities.
