Strategies Towards Improving the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer Grant Program

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, is offering a research funding opportunity focused on advancing strategies to improve the treatment of small cell lung cancer. The organization is a nonprofit dedicated to supporting innovative lung cancer research, and this specific program reflects a targeted effort to address the significant unmet need in small cell lung cancer, a disease that accounts for approximately 13–15 percent of lung cancer cases and is associated with a very low five-year survival rate. Despite progress in non-small cell lung cancer, small cell lung cancer has seen limited advancement in both biological understanding and therapeutic development, prompting this focused initiative. The primary objective of this funding opportunity is to support novel and impactful research that enhances understanding of the biology of small cell lung cancer while developing strategies to improve patient outcomes. The program emphasizes translational and clinically relevant research that can influence the entire care continuum, from early detection and diagnosis to treatment response and survivorship. Projects are expected to contribute meaningfully to scientific knowledge and have the potential for near-term impact on patient care. Funding through this program provides up to 500000 dollars distributed over a three-year performance period. The grant must serve as the primary source of funding for the proposed research, although supplementary support for ancillary components is permitted. Allowable costs include scientific research expenses, salary support with appropriate justification, limited equipment costs directly tied to the project, travel, publication costs, and up to ten percent indirect costs. Direct patient care costs that are reimbursable through other mechanisms are not allowed, and a substantial portion of the funding must be dedicated to scientific work. Eligibility is limited to investigators affiliated with nonprofit academic or research institutions based in the United States. Applicants may include postdoctoral researchers, clinical fellows, and investigators at any career stage, and there are no restrictions based on citizenship or residency. Proposals must include studies involving small cell lung cancer patients and require the inclusion of a patient or patient advocate as part of the research team. Applicants currently receiving funding from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation or applying to multiple funding tracks within the same cycle are not eligible. The application process follows a two-stage submission model. Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent, which includes general information, specific aims, biosketches, and a lay summary. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal consisting of detailed narratives, research plans, patient impact summaries, timelines, budgets, and letters of support. Applications must be submitted through an online portal, and adherence to formatting and submission requirements is mandatory. The evaluation process includes administrative review, scientific advisory board review, and input from patient advocates. At the Letter of Intent stage, reviewers focus on the overall rationale, feasibility, and potential impact, while the full proposal stage incorporates detailed assessment of scientific rigor, study design, innovation, and feasibility. Projects are scored based on their likelihood to contribute meaningful advances in lung cancer research and improve outcomes for patients. The timeline for this funding opportunity begins with the opening of the Letter of Intent phase in early June 2026, followed by a submission deadline in mid-July 2026. Applicants are notified of outcomes in late summer, and full proposals are due in early October 2026. Reviews continue through the fall, with project start dates anticipated in December 2026. This program appears to follow an annual cycle, supporting recurring opportunities for future applicants.

Emphasize translational impact and feasibility; include strong patient advocate involvement; ensure clear scientific rationale and innovation aligned with SCLC biology priorities