Pilot Awards
The MRA Pilot Awards fund high-risk, translational melanoma research to establish proof-of-concept for innovative ideas in prevention, diagnosis, staging, or treatment.
Funder: Melanoma Research Alliance
Due Dates (Anticipated): November 2026 (Full proposal submission deadline for Pilot Awards, projected)
Funding Amounts: Typical award size not specified in current guidance; MRA plans to support at least $11.5 million in new funding across all awards in the 2025–2026 cycle.
Summary: Funds high-risk, high-reward translational melanoma research projects to establish proof-of-concept for potentially transformative ideas.
Description
The Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) Pilot Awards support innovative, high-risk melanoma research projects that propose clear hypotheses and translational goals, even if preliminary data is limited. These awards are designed to enable proof-of-concept studies for transformative approaches that could impact melanoma prevention, diagnosis, staging, or treatment. Successful projects may leverage these results to secure further funding through more traditional mechanisms. The Pilot Awards are part of MRA’s broader mission to accelerate impactful advances in melanoma care.
