Strategies Using Patient Advocacy to Improve Outcomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer Grant Program

The Lung Cancer Research Foundation, in collaboration with AstraZeneca, offers the Strategies Using Patient Advocacy to Improve Outcomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer research award to address critical gaps in small cell lung cancer research and care. Small cell lung cancer accounts for a significant portion of lung cancer cases and is associated with a very low five-year survival rate, reflecting longstanding challenges in understanding its biology and developing effective treatments. While advances in non-small cell lung cancer have accelerated due to targeted therapies, similar progress in small cell lung cancer has been limited. This funding opportunity is designed to catalyze innovation by leveraging patient advocacy as a central mechanism for improving outcomes across the disease continuum. The primary purpose of this grant is to support research projects that integrate patient advocacy into strategies aimed at improving outcomes for individuals with small cell lung cancer. The program emphasizes the importance of advocacy in shaping healthcare delivery, influencing research priorities, and advancing policy. Applicants are encouraged to design projects that incorporate patient voices and experiences into care models, research frameworks, and clinical decision-making processes. The scope of supported work spans the full continuum of care, from early detection and diagnosis to survivorship and long-term management. Funding under this program is structured as a single award of 250000 dollars distributed over a two-year period, with 125000 dollars allocated per year. The grant must serve as the primary source of funding for the proposed research, although supplemental funding for supporting services is permitted. Allowable costs include salary support, travel, publication expenses, and limited equipment directly tied to the project. However, costs that are reimbursable through other sources, particularly direct patient care expenses, are not eligible. Applicants must justify all budget components, especially when salary costs exceed a defined proportion of the total budget. Eligibility requirements are inclusive of a broad range of professionals and organizations involved in small cell lung cancer care and research. Applicants must be affiliated with an academic institution, community practice, or nonprofit organization engaged in treating or studying small cell lung cancer. Teams may include physicians, nurses, and other healthcare professionals, but must designate a principal investigator. Importantly, each application must include a patient or patient advocate as a member of the research team, actively contributing to study design. Applicants must be based at institutions within the United States, although citizenship is not restricted. Individuals currently receiving funding from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation or applying to multiple funding tracks in the same cycle are not eligible. The application process is conducted through an online portal and includes both a letter of intent stage and a full proposal stage. Required application components for the full proposal include a lay summary, specific aims, a detailed narrative describing the research plan, a patient impact summary, and documentation of patient advocate involvement. Additional materials such as a timeline, budget, and letters of support are also required. Applicants must ensure compliance with formatting guidelines and submission requirements, as incomplete applications may not be considered. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage review process that includes administrative screening, scientific review by an advisory board, and input from patient advocates. Evaluation criteria focus on scientific merit, feasibility, innovation, and the potential impact on the field of lung cancer research. Projects are assessed for their likelihood to produce meaningful improvements in patient outcomes and to address disparities in care. Successful applicants are expected to share their findings through open access channels and comply with data sharing requirements. The timeline for this funding opportunity begins with the release of the request for proposals in early June, followed by a letter of intent deadline in mid-July and a full proposal deadline in early October. Applicants are notified of decisions regarding the letter of intent in late summer, and full proposal reviews take place in the fall. Selected projects are expected to begin in December of the same year. This funding opportunity appears to be part of an annual cycle, suggesting recurring opportunities for future applicants.

Ensure strong integration of patient advocacy into research design; emphasize feasibility and innovation; clearly demonstrate impact on patient outcomes and disparities