[Melanoma Research Alliance](https://www.curemelanoma.org)

November 2026 (Full proposal submission deadline for Pilot Awards, projected)

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.

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. --- ## Due Dates - November 2026: Full proposal submission deadline for Pilot Awards (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - The specific award size for Pilot Awards is not detailed in current program guidance. - For the 2025–2026 cycle, MRA plans to commit at least $11.5 million in new funding across all research awards (including Pilot Awards, Team Science Awards, Young Investigator Awards, etc.). - Applicants should refer to the [current RFP](https://www.curemelanoma.org/research/request-for-proposals/mra-general-rfp) for updated budget limits and allowable costs as they become available. --- ## Eligibility - Open to researchers worldwide; MRA encourages applications from diverse backgrounds and institutions. - Projects must focus on melanoma-related research relevant to prevention, diagnosis, staging, and/or treatment. - Proposals should be hypothesis-driven, potentially transformative, and may lack extensive preliminary data. - There are no specific eligibility criteria (such as investigator rank or years since appointment) detailed for Pilot Awards in the current public guidance. - Applicants are advised to review the [general RFP](https://www.curemelanoma.org/research/request-for-proposals/mra-general-rfp) for any updates or additional requirements. --- ## Application Process - Proposals are submitted via [proposalCENTRAL](https://proposalcentral.com/). - Full application instructions, proposal structure, and required documents will be detailed in the annual RFP. - All proposals are due by 11:59 pm Eastern Time on the deadline date. - The application process typically includes eligibility verification, biosketch submission, and a detailed research proposal. - Applicants should monitor the [MRA funding opportunities page](https://www.curemelanoma.org/research/request-for-proposals) for the release of the next RFP and updated instructions. --- ## Additional Information - MRA supports a range of grant mechanisms beyond Pilot Awards, including Team Science Awards and Young Investigator Awards. - The Alliance is recognized as a CCSG Recognized Funder by the NIH, which may be relevant for institutional reporting. - Diversity and inclusion are strongly encouraged in all applicant pools. --- ## External Links - [MRA Grant Mechanisms Overview](https://www.curemelanoma.org/research/request-for-proposals/mra-grant-mechanisms) - [2025–2026 General RFP](https://www.curemelanoma.org/research/request-for-proposals/mra-general-rfp) - [Funding Opportunities](https://www.curemelanoma.org/research/request-for-proposals) - [MRA Grant Awards Database](https://www.curemelanoma.org/research/grants) - [proposalCENTRAL Submission Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | Web Contact Form | |------------------------|-------------------------------|------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | info@curemelanoma.org | (202) 336-8935 | [Contact MRA](https://www.curemelanoma.org/contact-us) | | Science Team (RFP) | science@curemelanoma.org | | | | Registry & Grants | nstarink@curemelanoma.org | | |

Pilot Awards

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