Discovery Grants

The American Brain Tumor Association (ABTA), the oldest national nonprofit dedicated to brain tumor research and support, has been advancing the understanding and treatment of brain tumors for over 50 years. With a long-standing focus on early-career investigators, the ABTA funds discovery science aimed at improving outcomes and quality of life for individuals impacted by brain tumors. Its alumni now lead major centers and mentor the next generation of researchers, reinforcing the ABTA’s deep-rooted role in transforming the brain tumor research landscape. The Discovery Grants program is a central component of ABTA’s Research Program, offering one-year awards of up to $50,000 in direct costs to support high-risk, high-impact projects. These grants are designed to serve as seed funding, enabling early-stage faculty to generate critical preliminary data for future, larger funding opportunities. The ABTA encourages projects that challenge conventional diagnostic and therapeutic paradigms and welcomes proposals from investigators beyond traditional biological disciplines. Research areas may include diagnostics, imaging, etiology, novel therapeutics, molecular epidemiology, and more, with relevance to both adult and pediatric brain tumor populations. Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree and a full-time faculty appointment by the LOI deadline, but not before September 1, 2018, with allowances for documented research leave. U.S. citizenship is not required, and eligible lead institutions must be nonprofit, non-governmental entities worldwide. Applicants within five years of their first faculty appointment must also include a Lead Mentor from their institution with brain tumor research expertise. Institutions must agree to administer the grant and comply with ABTA’s policies. The application process begins with a required Letter of Intent (LOI), due by December 10, 2025, at noon CST. Successful applicants will be invited to submit full applications by March 30, 2026. Award notifications are expected by July 29, 2026, with the grant period beginning as early as September 1, 2026. Submission must be completed via ProposalCentral and includes detailed project narratives, biosketches, and signed institutional documentation. LOIs are reviewed for eligibility, completeness, and alignment with ABTA’s mission, followed by external scientific review based on merit, innovation, feasibility, and potential impact. Funds may be used for salaries, equipment (up to $5,000 per item), supplies, and travel directly related to the project, including required travel to present findings at the ABTA National Conference. However, indirect costs, visa fees, and tuition are not allowed. Grantees must submit final reports and participate in dissemination activities. This grant is non-renewable but part of an annual cycle, with recurring calls for proposals and ongoing engagement with ABTA’s research community.

Ensure accurate eligibility and biosketch details, especially start date of first faculty appointment. Carefully follow LOI formatting and narrative structure. Use U.S. letter size paper. Submit early to avoid disqualification.