Deadline: 15-Oct-2025
The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) Innovation Grant Program represents a crucial opportunity for researchers striving to make transformative advances in pediatric cancer research.
Recognizing that innovation often begins with bold and untested ideas, the program is designed to give established investigators the resources they need to explore new directions in science that could lead to life-saving treatments for children battling cancer. The funding aims to fill the critical gap between early-stage concepts and large-scale studies, enabling researchers to gather the necessary evidence to move their ideas toward clinical application.
This grant supports projects that bring fresh perspectives to the study of childhood cancers, encouraging scientists to take intellectual risks in pursuit of high-impact discoveries. Whether it’s a shift in the investigator’s research focus or an entirely new concept, the goal is to accelerate scientific progress that directly contributes to better understanding, treatment, or prevention of pediatric malignancies. The emphasis on clinical translation ensures that the funded research remains connected to tangible outcomes that can eventually benefit young patients and their families.
Applicants can request funding of up to $250,000 USD over a two-year period, with a maximum of $125,000 in total direct costs per year. The budget should reflect the project’s scope and be focused on direct research expenses, ensuring that every dollar contributes meaningfully to advancing the study’s aims.
Eligibility for this opportunity is limited to researchers based at nonprofit academic or research institutions in the United States or Canada. Applicants must possess a doctoral-level qualification—such as an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD—and hold a faculty or equivalent research appointment. Demonstrated experience is key: candidates must show a record of impactful publications, including at least one as a senior corresponding author, and a proven ability to secure competitive research grants, with at least one equivalent to an NIH R01.
The ALSF Innovation Grant Program underscores the Foundation’s unwavering commitment to fueling scientific discovery in pediatric oncology. By supporting visionary researchers and their pioneering projects, the program helps bridge the gap between promising ideas and clinical breakthroughs, advancing the shared mission of curing childhood cancer and improving outcomes for children worldwide.
For more information, visit ALSF.