2025 ASTRO-AstraZeneca SCLC Therapy Challenge

The 2025 ASTRO-AstraZeneca SCLC Therapy Challenge is a research funding opportunity created to advance collaborative studies focused on the treatment of limited-stage small cell lung cancer (LS-SCLC). This initiative is co-sponsored by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) and AstraZeneca, aiming to foster leadership in radiation oncology by promoting projects that integrate immunotherapy with innovative radiation therapies. This challenge seeks proposals that will push the boundaries of current clinical practices through the use of multimodality combination therapies. The primary objective of this challenge is to investigate how outcomes for LS-SCLC patients can be improved through the use of combined immunotherapy and advanced radiation therapies. The research areas of interest include analysis of care patterns for concurrent chemo-radiation therapy (cCRT) with immunotherapy (IO), optimal clinical workflows, identification of prognostic biomarkers, comparative efficacy studies between cCRT+IO versus cCRT alone, and the management of treatment-related toxicities. Proposals exploring novel radiation methods, artificial intelligence applications, and the role of prophylactic cranial irradiation (PCI) in combined therapy settings are also encouraged. Clinical outcomes, biomarker identification, safety profiles, patient-reported outcomes, and translational research will be evaluated in submitted studies. This grant opportunity is geographically restricted to the United States. Eligible organizations include higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations other than institutions of higher education, and community cancer centers. The opportunity specifically excludes research conducted outside the U.S., studies involving extensive-stage SCLC, and research on tumor sites other than LS-SCLC. The total funding pool for the 2025 cycle is up to $750,000, with expected distribution across two to four individual projects. The target budget for each project ranges from $175,000 to $375,000, including both direct and indirect costs. Indirect cost rates up to 28 percent are allowable. Proposals requesting funding above the target range will be considered based on scientific merit and the availability of funds. Final award amounts will be determined by an expert review panel. Interested applicants must submit proposals via the ASTRO Proposal Central Portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern time on April 30, 2025. There is no rolling application process. Applicants are encouraged to review the Challenge Program Announcement (PA), the recording of the January 31, 2025 kickoff webinar, and the FAQ document for additional guidance. Awardees will be required to enter into a grant agreement with AstraZeneca. AstraZeneca has stated that the terms of this agreement are non-negotiable, so applicants must ensure institutional compliance with these terms prior to applying. For questions or to seek preliminary feedback on research alignment with challenge goals, applicants may contact the ASTRO Department of Scientific Affairs. The mailing address for ASTRO is 251 18th Street South, 8th Floor, Arlington, VA 22202, and the contact phone number is 703-502-1550.

If a proposal is recommended by the ASTRO Challenge Judging Panel, the applicant's institution must enter into a written grant agreement with AstraZeneca. It is important to note that AstraZeneca does not negotiate grant agreements, so applicants must ensure their institution can comply with the terms before applying.