Funder: American Cancer Society
Due Dates: June 2, 2025 | December 1, 2025
Funding Amounts: Stage I: Up to $297,000 total over 2 years (direct + 10% indirect costs) | Stage II: Up to $599,500 total over 18 months (direct + 10% indirect costs)
Summary: Supports translational cancer research projects moving toward human testing, with staged funding for milestone development and clinical studies in patients.
Key Information: Stage II applications require prior completion of Stage I milestones; open to independent investigators at any career stage.
Description
This opportunity provides funding for translational cancer research projects that are ready to move toward human testing. The program is structured in two stages:
- Stage I: Supports the development of outcome-specific, unequivocal milestones that reduce the risks of studying a new drug, device, or procedure in patients.
- Stage II: Provides resources for testing the intervention in cancer patients, contingent on successful completion of Stage I milestones.
The goal is to accelerate the clinical impact of patient-focused research by providing "boost" funding to independent investigators for innovative, clinical-enabling projects.
Due Dates
- June 2, 2025 (if deadline falls on a weekend/holiday, applications accepted next business day)
- December 1, 2025
Applications are available on ProposalCentral approximately 3 months before each deadline.
Funding Amount
- Stage I: Up to $135,000/year in direct costs plus 10% indirect costs, for up to 2 years (maximum $297,000 total).
- Stage II: Up to $545,000 in direct costs plus 10% indirect costs, for up to 18 months (maximum $599,500 total).
Applicants are encouraged to round requests to the nearest thousand dollars. Indirect costs are capped at 10% of direct costs.
Eligibility
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Stage I:
- Independent investigators at any career stage.
- Must hold a full-time faculty appointment (or equivalent) at a U.S. academic institution or eligible nonprofit.
- No prior ACS funding required.
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Stage II:
- Must have previously held or currently hold a Stage I Mission Boost Grant for at least 18 months and have completed Stage I milestones.
- Same institutional and appointment requirements as Stage I.
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U.S. citizenship is not required, but the applicant must be based at a U.S. institution.
Application Process
- Applications must be submitted via ProposalCentral.
- Download and complete all required templates after starting your application.
- Required components include:
- NIH-format biosketches for PI and key personnel
- Research plan (with rationale, innovation, milestones, and, for Stage II, clinical trial details)
- Budget and justification
- Letters of support from collaborators/consultants
- Statement of institutional support from department chair
- Compliance statements (IRB/IACUC as applicable)
- Only one resubmission is allowed per application.
- See the full application instructions (PDF) for detailed requirements.
Additional Information
- Stage II funding is contingent on successful completion and review of Stage I milestones.
- Projects must be focused on translation to human testing (not basic or preclinical research alone).
- Collaborations with industry or private entities are encouraged for Stage II clinical trials, if needed.
- All applications are peer reviewed for alignment with ACS research priorities, innovation, feasibility, and potential for clinical impact.
External Links
Contact Information