Therapeutic Immune Reprogramming in Cancer: Targeting Dysfunctional, Suppressive, and Senescent Immune States Grant

The Therapeutic Immune Reprogramming in Cancer: Targeting Dysfunctional, Suppressive, and Senescent Immune States grant is offered by amfAR, a private nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the global AIDS epidemic through innovative research. While historically focused on HIV, amfAR has expanded its research portfolio to include cancer immunology, recognizing the deep scientific overlap between chronic viral infection and tumor-driven immune dysfunction. This funding opportunity reflects amfAR’s strategic effort to foster cross-disciplinary innovation, leveraging decades of HIV research insights to advance cancer therapeutics, particularly in the field of immune system modulation. The primary purpose of this Request for Proposals is to support research that investigates mechanisms to reprogram ineffective immune states within cancer. Specifically, the program seeks mechanistic, preclinical, and translational studies that aim to restore, redirect, or amplify anti-tumor immune responses. The initiative emphasizes the need to move beyond descriptive studies and instead focus on interventions that actively alter immune cell behavior or tumor microenvironment function. Targeted immune dysfunctions include exhausted T cells, suppressive myeloid populations, impaired antigen presentation systems, and other biological barriers that limit durable responses to immunotherapy. Funding is provided up to a total of 480000 dollars per award, inclusive of indirect costs capped at 20 percent. The performance period spans two years, beginning November 1, 2026 and ending October 31, 2028. Allowable uses of funds include direct research costs, personnel, and subawards, including those to for-profit organizations, provided they align with the scientific objectives. Indirect costs must not exceed 20 percent, and specific rules apply to subgrant allocations. There is no cost-sharing or matching requirement associated with this grant. Eligible applicants include biomedical researchers holding a research or clinical doctoral degree who are affiliated with nonprofit research institutions anywhere in the world. The program supports a wide range of research approaches, including RNA-based therapies, cytokine modulation, epigenetic reprogramming, engineered immune cell strategies, and computational target discovery. However, projects must include validation in disease-relevant models, such as in vivo systems or ex vivo human or animal tissues, and cannot rely solely on cell line studies. Certain research types, such as epidemiological studies, behavioral research, or purely descriptive profiling without functional validation, are explicitly excluded. The application process involves a two-stage submission. Applicants must first submit a project synopsis through the amfAR grants portal. Synopses are evaluated for eligibility, alignment with the organization’s mission, and potential impact. A select group of applicants will then be invited to submit full proposals, which undergo external peer review. Required components include a clearly defined immune dysfunction target, a proposed reprogramming strategy, and evidence supporting feasibility and translational relevance. While detailed application questions are not fully outlined, the process implies submission of scientific narratives, methodological plans, and supporting data. Key deadlines include a synopsis submission deadline of June 29, 2026, followed by invitations to submit full applications on July 13, 2026. The full application deadline is August 24, 2026. The grant does not indicate a recurring cycle, suggesting it is a one-time or irregular funding opportunity. An informational webinar was held on June 16, 2026 to provide additional guidance. Applicants are encouraged to monitor future funding announcements through amfAR’s alert system. Evaluation criteria emphasize innovation, mechanistic clarity, and translational potential. Priority is given to proposals that demonstrate a clear strategy for altering immune dysfunction and include robust experimental validation. Outputs of interest include biomarkers, computational models, and novel therapeutic targets that advance understanding of immune reprogramming in cancer. Overall, this grant represents a significant opportunity for researchers to contribute to cutting-edge developments at the intersection of immunology and oncology.

Focus on clearly defined immune dysfunction mechanisms and demonstrate translational relevance with validated models; prioritize proposals that test functional immune reprogramming strategies