LCRF Research Grant on Overcoming Resistance in Lung Cancer

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) has announced its 2026 Overcoming Resistance Research Grant Program, targeting a critical challenge in lung cancer treatment—therapeutic resistance. Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, responsible for over 125,000 deaths annually in the United States. Despite the significant advancements in targeted therapies and immunotherapies over the past decade, drug resistance continues to limit their efficacy. In response, LCRF is offering funding to support projects that address mechanisms and interventions for drug resistance in lung cancer, with the goal of enhancing patient outcomes and prolonging survivorship. This funding mechanism is designed to support research across various histological subtypes of lung cancer, including adenocarcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and small cell lung cancer. The program encourages proposals exploring a broad array of themes, such as resistance mechanisms to targeted therapies in oncogene-driven lung cancers, biology and resistance mechanisms across therapy modalities (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and antibody-drug conjugates), and novel diagnostic or therapeutic approaches aimed at preventing or reversing resistance. Special attention is also given to resistance in challenging metastatic sites, such as brain and leptomeningeal regions. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with non-profit academic or research institutions and be in the early or mid-stages of their careers, defined as less than seven years post-faculty appointment. Post-doctoral researchers and clinical fellows are also eligible. Both U.S. and international applicants are welcome, regardless of residency status. However, individuals who have received LCRF funding in the last four years or are currently funded by the organization (either as lead or co-investigators) are ineligible to apply. Senior investigators exceeding the experience threshold may only participate as mentors, and special eligibility exceptions require pre-submission review and approval. The grant offers up to $150,000 over two years, disbursed in annual installments of $75,000. Funding is to be the primary support source for the project, although secondary funding for services is permitted. The grant disallows institutional indirect costs and limits equipment expenses to items directly relevant to the project. Travel and publication expenses are allowed, and salary coverage is flexible but requires justification, especially if exceeding 20% of the total budget. All applicants must submit their proposals through Proposal Central in a two-stage process: a letter of intent (LOI) followed by a full proposal if invited. The LOI, due March 10, 2026, must include basic information, a one-page Specific Aims document, and NIH Biosketches. Full proposals must be submitted by June 2, 2026, and will require a detailed narrative, mentoring plan, budget, and institutional support letter, among other elements. LCRF will notify applicants of funding decisions in November 2026, with projects beginning December 1, 2026. Evaluation occurs in two stages—LOI and full proposal—each involving administrative review, expert peer review, and patient advocate review. Criteria include scientific rationale, feasibility, innovation, and the potential impact on lung cancer outcomes. Grantees are required to share results openly via PubMed Central within 12 months of publication and must commit to data transparency as part of LCRF’s open science mandate. Awardees are expected to submit progress and lay reports biannually, with funding for the second year contingent upon the successful submission of an interim progress report.

Emphasize feasibility, creativity, and potential impact; ensure data sharing and openness to meet open science criteria.