Call for Advancing Outcomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer through Advocacy (US)

The Strategies Using Patient Advocacy to Improve Outcomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer (SCLC) Grant 2026 from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) supports innovative projects that use patient advocacy to improve healthcare delivery, research participation, quality of life, and survivorship for people living with SCLC. The program provides at least one grant of $250,000 over two years to eligible researchers, clinicians, healthcare professionals, and nonprofit organizations working to enhance patient-centered care across the SCLC care continuum.

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

The Strategies Using Patient Advocacy to Improve Outcomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer Grant 2026 is designed to support research and practical initiatives that strengthen patient advocacy as a key component of SCLC care.

The program encourages projects that improve healthcare outcomes by integrating patient perspectives into research, clinical care, education, and survivorship planning. Through this funding opportunity, the Lung Cancer Research Foundation aims to accelerate patient-centered innovations that improve access to care, promote equity, and enhance the overall treatment experience for individuals diagnosed with Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Focus Areas

Projects should address one or more of the following priority areas:

Patient-centric care models
Advanced screening and diagnostic technologies
Healthcare access and equity
Technology integration in patient care
Patient feedback and engagement mechanisms
Quality of life improvement
Survivorship support
Patient advocacy throughout the care continuum
Research participation and patient engagement
Evidence-based healthcare innovations

Objectives of the Grant

The grant aims to:

Improve healthcare outcomes for patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer.
Strengthen patient advocacy throughout diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.
Increase patient participation in research and clinical decision-making.
Support innovative care models that prioritize patient needs.
Improve quality of life and survivorship outcomes.
Address disparities in access to high-quality SCLC care.
Promote patient-centered healthcare delivery.
Generate evidence that can benefit larger patient populations.

Funding Information

Successful projects may receive the following financial support:

Minimum of one grant award will be funded.
Maximum funding: $250,000
Funding period: 2 years
Annual funding: $125,000 per year

The funding is intended to support research and implementation projects that directly contribute to improving outcomes for patients with Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Eligible Activities

Projects may include activities such as:

Designing patient-centered care models
Developing patient advocacy programs
Improving patient education and engagement
Evaluating innovative healthcare delivery approaches
Integrating digital health technologies into patient care
Enhancing communication between patients and healthcare providers
Increasing access to screening and diagnostic services
Addressing healthcare disparities and equity challenges
Supporting survivorship planning and long-term care
Collecting and utilizing patient feedback to improve healthcare services

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

Be affiliated with:
- An academic institution
- A community healthcare institution
- A clinical practice
- A not-for-profit organization involved in SCLC care
Investigators at any career stage may apply.
Eligible professionals include:
- Physicians
- Nurses
- Clinical researchers
- Healthcare professionals
- Multidisciplinary research teams
One team member must serve as the Principal Investigator.
Applicants from U.S.-based institutions are eligible regardless of citizenship or residency status.
The proposed project must involve studies including SCLC patients.
The research must demonstrate potential benefits for a broader patient population.

Patient Advocate Requirement

A mandatory component of this funding opportunity is meaningful patient involvement.

Projects must:

Include at least one patient or patient advocate as part of the research team.
Involve the patient advocate during the research design process.
Consider compensating patient advocates for their contributions.
Include advocate compensation within the project budget where appropriate.

Who is Not Eligible?

Applications are not eligible if:

The applicant is currently receiving funding from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation.
The same applicant has submitted an application to another LCRF funding track during the same grant cycle.

These restrictions apply only to the individual applicant. Other members of the research team may participate even if they have separate LCRF funding.

Why This Grant Matters

Small Cell Lung Cancer remains one of the most aggressive forms of lung cancer, with limited treatment options and significant challenges throughout diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

Patient advocacy plays an increasingly important role by:

Improving communication between patients and healthcare providers.
Supporting equitable access to care.
Encouraging patient participation in research.
Identifying unmet patient needs.
Improving quality of life.
Influencing healthcare policies and clinical practices.
Strengthening survivorship support.

This funding opportunity recognizes that patient perspectives are essential for developing more effective and compassionate healthcare systems.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these general steps:

Review all eligibility requirements.
Develop a patient-centered research proposal.
Assemble a multidisciplinary research team.
Include a patient or patient advocate in the project design.
Prepare a realistic project budget.
Demonstrate how the project will improve outcomes for SCLC patients.
Submit the complete application according to LCRF guidelines before the deadline.

Tips for a Strong Application

To improve competitiveness:

Clearly explain the unmet need your project addresses.
Demonstrate meaningful patient involvement from project design through implementation.
Present measurable healthcare outcome indicators.
Include realistic timelines and budgets.
Show how results can be applied to larger patient populations.
Highlight collaboration among clinicians, researchers, and patient advocates.
Emphasize innovation and practical impact.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Applicants should avoid:

Excluding patient advocates from the research team.
Proposing projects without direct relevance to SCLC patients.
Applying while already receiving LCRF funding.
Submitting applications to multiple LCRF funding tracks during the same cycle.
Providing unclear research objectives.
Developing unrealistic budgets or timelines.
Failing to demonstrate broader healthcare impact.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the maximum grant amount?

The grant provides up to $250,000 over two years.

Who can apply?

Researchers, physicians, nurses, healthcare professionals, academic institutions, community institutions, clinical practices, and nonprofit organizations involved in SCLC care are eligible.

Is patient participation required?

Yes. Every project must include a patient or patient advocate as a member of the research team and involve them in research design.

Can investigators at any career stage apply?

Yes. Investigators at all career levels are eligible.

Can international researchers apply?

Applicants must be affiliated with a U.S.-based institution, regardless of their citizenship or residency status.

Can I apply if I already have an LCRF grant?

No. Current LCRF funding recipients are not eligible to apply.

How long can funded projects last?

Projects may be funded for two years.

Conclusion

The Strategies Using Patient Advocacy to Improve Outcomes in Small Cell Lung Cancer Grant 2026 provides significant support for projects that place patients at the center of SCLC research and healthcare delivery. By funding innovative patient-centered approaches, strengthening advocacy, improving quality of life, and promoting equitable healthcare, the program aims to generate meaningful improvements in treatment outcomes and survivorship for individuals affected by Small Cell Lung Cancer.