Deadline: 10-Sep-2026
The Blood Cancer United Equity in Access Research Grants support research that examines barriers to equitable access to blood cancer care and develops evidence to improve healthcare policies. The programme funds U.S.-based researchers studying how insurance coverage, insurance design, healthcare policies, and financial challenges affect blood cancer patients and survivors throughout the cancer care journey.
The grant provides up to USD $250,000 per year for research projects lasting up to three years, with a maximum total award of USD $750,000 including indirect costs.
Overview of the Blood Cancer United Equity in Access Research Grants
The Equity in Access Research Grants are designed to strengthen research on healthcare access inequalities affecting people with blood cancers.
The programme focuses on understanding how healthcare systems influence access to:
- Blood cancer diagnosis.
- Treatment and advanced therapies.
- Care transitions.
- Survivorship services.
- Long-term healthcare support.
The goal is to generate evidence that can guide policy improvements and reduce disparities in blood cancer outcomes.
Purpose of the Research Grant
The primary purpose of the grant is to support research that identifies and addresses healthcare access barriers experienced by blood cancer patients and survivors.
The programme aims to:
- Improve understanding of insurance-related barriers.
- Support healthcare policy research.
- Reduce disparities in cancer treatment access.
- Improve quality of care across the cancer continuum.
- Develop evidence-based solutions for equitable healthcare delivery.
The research should contribute to policy changes that improve outcomes for underserved and vulnerable populations.
Why Equitable Access to Blood Cancer Care Matters
Although blood cancer treatments have advanced significantly, many patients still experience challenges accessing effective care.
Healthcare access barriers may affect:
- Ability to receive timely diagnosis.
- Availability of specialized treatments.
- Continuity of care.
- Affordability of medical services.
- Access to survivorship support.
These challenges often disproportionately affect:
- Racially and ethnically minoritized communities.
- Low-income individuals.
- Adolescents and young adults.
- Rural populations.
- Medicaid recipients.
- Uninsured individuals.
- Families caring for children with cancer.
Blood Cancer United supports research that helps identify systemic barriers and develop strategies to improve healthcare equity.
Priority Research Areas
The Equity in Access Research Grants prioritize studies focused on healthcare access and policy-related issues.
Priority topics include:
Insurance Status and Insurance Design
Research may examine:
- How insurance coverage affects treatment access.
- Differences between insurance types.
- Effects of insurance plan design.
- Impact of policy changes on patient outcomes.
Continuity of Care
Studies may explore:
- Healthcare disruptions.
- Care coordination challenges.
- Transitions between treatment stages.
- Long-term follow-up care.
Medicare Design and Access
Research may focus on:
- Medicare coverage structures.
- Access barriers among Medicare beneficiaries.
- Effects of Medicare policy changes.
Survivorship Care
Studies may investigate:
- Long-term care access.
- Survivorship support services.
- Healthcare needs after treatment completion.
Financial Burden
Research may examine:
- Out-of-pocket healthcare costs.
- Medical debt.
- Treatment affordability.
- Economic impacts on patients and families.
Eligible Research Topics and Cancer Types
The programme supports quantitative and mixed-methods research conducted in the United States and its territories.
Research must focus on one or more blood cancers, including:
- Leukemia.
- Lymphoma.
- Myeloma.
- Myelodysplastic syndromes.
- Myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Proposals may include other cancer types if blood cancer-related analysis remains the central focus of the study.
Research Methods Supported
Eligible studies may use:
- Quantitative research methods.
- Mixed-methods approaches.
- Patient and caregiver perspectives.
- Healthcare policy analysis.
- Health services research.
Studies may include input from:
- Individuals diagnosed with blood cancer.
- Survivors.
- Caregivers.
- Healthcare stakeholders.
Funding Amount and Project Duration
The Equity in Access Research Grants provide:
- Maximum annual funding: USD $250,000.
- Maximum project duration: Three years.
- Maximum total funding: USD $750,000.
Funding includes indirect costs.
Indirect cost limitations:
- Indirect costs are limited to 11.1% of total direct costs during the research funding period.
Who Is Eligible to Apply?
The grant is open to researchers affiliated with eligible U.S.-based institutions.
Eligible applicants must meet institutional and professional requirements.
Institutional Eligibility Requirements
The sponsoring institution must:
- Be located in the United States or its territories.
- Be a public or nonprofit institution.
- Have tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
Eligible institutions may include:
- Universities.
- Research organizations.
- Public nonprofit institutions.
- Academic medical centers.
Principal Investigator Requirements
The Primary Principal Investigator (PI) must:
- Be affiliated with an eligible U.S.-based institution.
- Hold an advanced doctoral degree.
Accepted degrees include:
- PhD.
- MD.
- ScD.
- JD.
- Equivalent doctoral degrees.
Co-Principal Investigator Requirements
Co-Principal Investigators may hold other relevant advanced degrees, including:
- Master of Public Policy (MPP).
- Master of Public Health (MPH).
- Other relevant professional qualifications.
Early-career Principal Investigators may apply if they include an experienced Co-Principal Investigator on the research team.
Research Team Requirements
The programme encourages multidisciplinary research teams.
Successful teams should include expertise in:
- Cancer research.
- Healthcare access.
- Health policy.
- Insurance systems.
- Patient outcomes.
Teams must include an expert in the public policy area most relevant to the proposed study.
Relevant policy expertise may include:
- Medicare.
- Medicaid.
- Affordable Care Act (ACA) Marketplace plans.
- Commercial insurance systems.
How to Apply for the Equity in Access Research Grants
Applicants should follow a structured preparation process.
Step 1: Develop a Research Concept
Applicants should define:
- The healthcare access problem being studied.
- The blood cancer population affected.
- The policy or insurance issue being examined.
- The expected contribution to healthcare equity.
Step 2: Build a Qualified Research Team
Applicants should assemble a team with expertise in:
- Blood cancer research.
- Health services research.
- Public policy.
- Insurance systems.
- Patient experiences.
Multidisciplinary collaboration is strongly encouraged.
Step 3: Design the Research Approach
Applicants should explain:
- Research questions.
- Methodology.
- Data sources.
- Analysis approach.
- Expected outcomes.
Research should clearly connect findings to improving healthcare access.
Step 4: Prepare the Budget
Applicants should provide a detailed budget covering:
- Research activities.
- Personnel costs.
- Data collection.
- Analysis expenses.
- Other approved project costs.
- Indirect costs within allowed limits.
Step 5: Submit the Grant Proposal
Applicants should ensure the proposal:
- Meets eligibility requirements.
- Clearly explains the policy relevance.
- Demonstrates potential impact.
- Addresses health equity challenges.
Tips for a Strong Grant Application
Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:
- Clearly defining the access barrier being studied.
- Including patient or caregiver perspectives.
- Explaining how findings may influence policy.
- Using strong research methods.
- Demonstrating multidisciplinary expertise.
- Connecting research outcomes to improved healthcare equity.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Applicants should avoid:
- Submitting research unrelated to blood cancers.
- Failing to connect findings to healthcare policy.
- Excluding insurance or access considerations.
- Using a research team without relevant policy expertise.
- Applying through an ineligible institution.
- Exceeding funding limits.
- Ignoring indirect cost restrictions.
Frequently Asked Questions About Blood Cancer United Equity in Access Research Grants
What are the Blood Cancer United Equity in Access Research Grants?
These grants support research examining how insurance, healthcare policies, and financial barriers affect equitable access to blood cancer care.
How much funding can researchers receive?
Researchers can request up to USD $250,000 per year, with a maximum total award of USD $750,000 for projects lasting up to three years.
Who can apply for the grant?
Researchers affiliated with eligible U.S.-based public or nonprofit 501(c)(3) institutions located in the United States or its territories may apply.
What types of research are supported?
The programme supports quantitative and mixed-methods research focused on blood cancer access, insurance issues, healthcare policy, survivorship, and financial burden.
Which blood cancers can be studied?
Eligible studies may focus on leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, myelodysplastic syndromes, and myeloproliferative neoplasms.
Can early-career researchers apply?
Yes. Early-career Principal Investigators are eligible but must include a more experienced Co-Principal Investigator.
Are multidisciplinary research teams required?
Research teams are encouraged to be multidisciplinary and must include expertise in the relevant public policy area connected to the research.
Conclusion
The Blood Cancer United Equity in Access Research Grants provide significant support for researchers working to understand and reduce healthcare access disparities among blood cancer patients and survivors. By funding studies on insurance systems, healthcare policies, financial burden, and continuity of care, the programme aims to create stronger evidence for reforms that improve equity in cancer care.
Researchers with strong policy-focused and multidisciplinary approaches can use this opportunity to advance solutions that help all blood cancer patients receive timely, affordable, and effective care.
For more information, visit Blood Cancer United.
