Deadline: 10-Mar-2026
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) Research Grant Program provides up to $150,000 over two years to fund innovative research into overcoming therapy resistance in lung cancer. Targeted at early-to-mid-career investigators globally, the program supports studies on oncogene-driven resistance, immunotherapy evasion, and novel biomarkers. The application process begins with a Letter of Intent (LOI) due by March 10, 2026.
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) is dedicated to improving survivorship by funding high-impact research. This specific grant track targets the primary obstacle in lung cancer treatment: acquired and intrinsic resistance to therapies. By supporting mechanistic questions and developmental therapeutics, LCRF aims to sustain the momentum of clinical breakthroughs and improve long-term patient outcomes.
Why It Matters: Solving the Resistance Challenge
Despite advances in targeted therapy and immunotherapy, lung cancer cells often evolve to bypass treatment. This grant is critical because it:
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Addresses Treatment Failure: Investigates why patients relapse after initially successful treatments.
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Explores Challenging Sites: Funds research into brain and leptomeningeal metastases, where drug delivery is traditionally difficult.
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Supports Early-Career Talent: Provides essential capital to researchers with less than seven years of faculty experience to establish their labs.
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Promotes Open Science: Mandates data sharing and PubMed Central access to accelerate global research collaboration.
Key Concepts and Expanded Definitions
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Therapy Resistance: The process by which cancer cells avoid the effects of drugs (chemotherapy, targeted agents, or immunotherapy) through genetic mutations or non-genomic changes.
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Histological Transformation: A resistance mechanism where one type of lung cancer (e.g., Adenocarcinoma) changes its physical structure into another (e.g., Small Cell Lung Cancer) to survive treatment.
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Oligometastatic Disease: A state where cancer has spread beyond the primary tumor but is limited to a small number of distant sites, requiring specific localized and systemic strategies.
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Oncogene-Driven Cancer: Cancers caused by mutations in specific genes (like EGFR, ALK, or KRAS) that act as “on-switches” for cell growth.
Who is Eligible?
LCRF invites applications from qualified investigators at non-profit institutions worldwide.
Eligible Career Stages:
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Post-doctoral researchers and Clinical Fellows.
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Early-career and mid-career investigators.
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Experience Limit: Must have less than seven years of experience since their initial faculty appointment.
Institutional Requirements:
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Must be affiliated with a non-profit academic or research institution.
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Open to both US-based and international applicants.
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Citizenship or residency status is not a barrier to eligibility.
Ineligibility Criteria:
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Senior investigators (>7 years post-appointment), though they are encouraged to serve as mentors.
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Current LCRF lead or co-investigators.
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Recipients of LCRF funding within the last four years.
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Applicants submitting to multiple tracks in the same cycle.
Grant Financials and Allowable Costs
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Maximum Award: $150,000 total.
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Disbursement: $75,000 per year over a two-year period.
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Indirect Costs: 0%. LCRF does not cover institutional overhead or administrative fees.
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Salary Support: Permitted with justification (LCRF must be the primary source of support for the project).
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Research Expenses: Covers equipment (project-specific), travel, and publication costs.
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Exclusions: Does not cover patient care costs that are reimbursable by other insurance or sources.
How to Apply: The Two-Stage Process
The LCRF uses a structured application workflow through Proposal Central.
1. Letter of Intent (LOI) Stage
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Specific Aims: A one-page document outlining project goals.
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Biosketches: Current NIH-style biosketches for the Principal Investigator and key personnel.
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Deadline: March 10, 2026.
2. Full Proposal Stage (By Invitation Only)
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Detailed Plan: Comprehensive study design, rationale, and feasibility.
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Institutional Support: At least one letter from a program director or advisor confirming space and equipment availability.
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Deadline: June 2, 2026.
Review and Evaluation Criteria
Applications are vetted through a rigorous three-tier review:
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Administrative Review: Ensuring all formal eligibility and formatting requirements are met.
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Scientific Advisory Board (SAB): Evaluation of scientific rigor, innovation, and study design.
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Patient Advocate Review: Assessment of the project’s potential impact on the patient community and survivorship.
Common Mistakes and Tips
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Including Indirect Costs: Budgets that include institutional overhead will be rejected. Ensure 100% of the funds go to direct research.
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Weak Mentorship for Juniors: If you are a very junior investigator, ensure your Letter of Support emphasizes strong mentorship from senior faculty.
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Failing the “Lay Audience” Test: Part of the review is done by patient advocates. Be sure to include a clear, non-technical explanation of how your research helps patients.
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Tip: Explicitly state your data-sharing plan. LCRF prioritizes investigators who are committed to open-access and reproducible science.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can international researchers apply for this grant?
Yes. The program is open to investigators at non-profit institutions globally, regardless of nationality.
2. What is the “Seven-Year Rule”?
Applicants must have less than seven years of experience since their first faculty appointment. Years spent in fellowships or post-doc positions do not count toward this limit.
3. Is there a specific format for the Letter of Intent?
Yes. The “Specific Aims” section must not exceed one page. Detailed formatting instructions are provided on Proposal Central.
4. How is the second year of funding released?
Funding for Year 2 is contingent upon the approval of an interim scientific progress report and a financial summary.
5. Does the grant cover clinical trials?
The grant supports “developmental therapeutics” and “mechanistic questions,” which can include elements of clinical research, but the $150,000 budget is typically better suited for pre-clinical or early-phase translational studies.
6. Can I apply for two different LCRF grants at once?
No. Applicants may only apply to one LCRF funding track per cycle.
7. Where must I publish my results?
You may publish in any peer-reviewed journal, but you must ensure the article is available in PubMed Central within 12 months of publication.
Conclusion
The LCRF Research Grant on Therapy Resistance is a vital resource for early-career scientists dedicated to solving the most complex problems in oncology. By providing $150,000 in direct support and emphasizing scientific rigor and patient impact, LCRF empowers the next generation of researchers to extend the lives of those diagnosed with lung cancer.
For more information, visit LCRF.