Next Steps Program
Funds milestone-driven research advancing cellular and vaccine therapies for acral and uveal melanoma, supporting preclinical to clinical-stage projects with clear translational potential.
Funder: Melanoma Research Alliance
Due Dates: April 10, 2026: Letter of Intent (LOI) | June 16, 2026: Full application
Funding Amounts: $100,000–$500,000 (preclinical/pre-IND); up to $1,000,000 (clinical trials); up to 3 years, milestone-based payments
Summary: Supports preclinical to clinical-stage research advancing innovative cellular and vaccine therapies for acral and uveal melanoma.
Key Information: LOI required; applications from academic/nonprofit institutions worldwide; no for-profit applicants.
Description
The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) Next Steps Program is a targeted funding opportunity to accelerate the development of innovative cellular and vaccine therapies specifically for acral and uveal melanoma, including GNAQ/11-mutated subtypes. The program supports projects at preclinical, pre-IND, and clinical stages that demonstrate a clear path to clinical translation and impact for these rare and challenging forms of melanoma. Emphasis is placed on milestone-driven research that advances promising therapeutic approaches toward patient benefit.
