LCRF Leading Edge Research Grant Program

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is a private philanthropic organization dedicated to funding innovative and impactful research aimed at improving lung cancer outcomes. As lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and the most common cancer killer for both men and women, the LCRF addresses a critical gap in research funding. The 2026 LCRF Leading-Edge Research Grant Program is part of the Foundation’s mission to support novel methodologies and research across a broad range of topics relevant to lung cancer, including basic science, translational work, clinical applications, epidemiology, disparities, and social determinants of health. This program aligns with LCRF’s commitment to advancing the understanding and treatment of lung cancer through well-resourced, scientifically sound projects. The grant will provide a total of $150,000 in funding, disbursed over a two-year period at $75,000 annually. Proposed projects may cover a wide scope, including lung cancer biology, identification of biomarkers, genetic and gene-environment interactions, development of targeted and immune-therapies, and innovations such as bispecific antibodies and nanotechnology. In addition, the program encourages studies into disparities in lung cancer outcomes and supportive care measures for patients and their families. Equipment purchases must be modest and directly tied to the research, while indirect costs and direct patient care expenses are not covered. Funding is intended to be the primary support for the project, though additional secondary support (e.g., for core services) is permitted. Eligibility for this grant is limited to post-doctoral researchers, clinical fellows, and early- to mid-career investigators who have held a faculty appointment for less than seven years. Applicants must be affiliated with a non-profit academic or research institution and may be based in the United States or internationally, regardless of citizenship or residency status. Importantly, those who have received LCRF funding within the past four years, or who are involved in other LCRF funding tracks in the same cycle, are not eligible. Exceptions may be made for senior investigators transitioning from other disease areas, but these require pre-approval before application submission. Applications must be submitted through the Proposal Central online portal in a two-stage process consisting of a Letter of Intent (LOI) followed by a full proposal for selected applicants. The LOI includes the applicant's demographics, specific aims (limited to one page), NIH biosketch, and a lay summary. Full proposals require additional elements such as background, experimental approach, budget, and letters of support. A key letter must come from the applicant’s program director or advisor affirming institutional support and resources. Technical assistance is unavailable after 5 PM ET on the day of the submission deadline, so early submission is strongly encouraged. The submission timeline begins with a LOI deadline of March 10, 2026. Applicants will be notified of LOI decisions by April 28, 2026. Full proposals for invited applicants are due by June 2, 2026, and award announcements will be made in November 2026. Funded projects are expected to begin on December 1, 2026. LCRF conducts a rigorous two-stage review process that involves administrative review, scientific peer review, and patient advocate input. Applications will be assessed for rationale, feasibility, scientific soundness, innovation, and potential impact. Grantees are required to submit regular reports, including two scientific progress updates and at least four updates for a lay audience during the funding period. Interim scientific reports are due at the end of year one, while final reports are due within 60 days of project completion. Additionally, grantees must adhere to LCRF’s open access policy by making all peer-reviewed articles publicly available in PubMed Central within 12 months of publication. For further information or inquiries, applicants may contact LCRF at [email protected] or by phone at +1 (212) 588-1580.

Applicants should ensure budget justifications, especially for salary over 20%, are clear and contact LCRF early for eligibility clarifications.