Request for Applications: Reach Grant Program (US and Canada)

The Reach Grant Program provides up to $250,000 over two years to support pre-clinical pediatric cancer research that accelerates innovative ideas toward early-stage clinical trials. It funds translational studies designed to generate IND-enabling data, validate biomarkers, and bridge the gap between lab discoveries and patient treatments, ensuring a tangible impact on pediatric cancer care.

What is the Reach Grant Program?

The Reach Grant Program is a funding opportunity for early-stage translational pediatric cancer research. It supports projects that:

• Generate critical pre-clinical data for clinical trial development
• Complete IND-enabling studies to facilitate regulatory approval
• Validate biomarkers for patient selection in upcoming trials
• Aim to progress toward phase I or II clinical trials within 2–3 years

The program addresses key barriers preventing scientific discoveries from reaching clinical application, focusing on hypothesis-driven research with clear translational potential.

Funding Details

• Total Funding: Up to $250,000 USD over two years
• Annual Funding: Maximum of $125,000 per year
• Eligible Costs: Direct project costs including supplies, small equipment, travel, and fringe benefits
• Ineligible Costs: Indirect costs, tuition remission
• Salary Cap: PI salary must comply with NIH limits
• Subawards/Subcontracts: Allowed within total budget; primary institution manages fund distribution
• Grant Duration: Two years, non-renewable; one no-cost extension allowed with final report

Who is Eligible?

Applicants must meet these criteria:

• Affiliation: Nonprofit institutions or organizations in the U.S. or Canada
• Education: MD, PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent
• Academic Status: Faculty appointment or equivalent; those below Assistant Professor must collaborate with a senior researcher who provides a formal commitment letter
• Citizenship: Not required

Why This Grant Matters

• Supports the translation of laboratory discoveries into clinical trials
• Addresses barriers that prevent promising pediatric cancer research from reaching patients
• Encourages projects with direct, measurable impact on early-phase clinical development

How to Apply

1. Develop Your Proposal: Define your hypothesis, outline pre-clinical methods, expected outcomes, and budget justification
2. Confirm Eligibility: Ensure institutional affiliation, academic status, and compliance with NIH salary cap
3. Include Senior Collaboration: If below Assistant Professor, secure a senior researcher’s formal support letter
4. Submit Application: Follow official grant portal instructions, attach all required documents
5. Review & Evaluation: Applications are assessed for scientific merit, translational potential, and feasibility of progressing to clinical trials

Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Requesting indirect costs or tuition remission
• Omitting a senior collaborator letter if required
• Failing to align the budget with project scope
• Overlooking NIH salary cap compliance

FAQ

1. Can international researchers apply? Yes, but the institution must be in the U.S. or Canada.
2. Can pre-Assistant Professor applicants apply independently? No, they must collaborate with a senior researcher who provides a commitment letter.
3. Are indirect costs allowed? No, only direct costs are covered.
4. Can tuition or education costs be funded? No, tuition remission is excluded.
5. Can the grant be renewed? No, though a single no-cost extension is allowed with the final report.
6. What projects are prioritized? Pre-clinical research with direct potential to advance toward phase I/II pediatric cancer trials.
7. How is funding allocated for subawards? Included within the total budget, managed by the primary institution.

Conclusion

The Reach Grant Program bridges the gap between laboratory discoveries and clinical trials in pediatric cancer. By funding hypothesis-driven pre-clinical research, it enables projects to generate essential data, validate biomarkers, and progress toward early-stage clinical trials, ensuring tangible translational impact for children with cancer.