ALSF’s mission is to find cures and better treatments for childhood cancers through hypothesis-driven research.
Innovation Grant Description
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) is committed to creating opportunities for new and innovative research into treatments and cures for childhood cancers. Innovation grants are designed as seed funding for researchers with a novel approach to pediatric oncology scientific investigation. This may represent a change in research direction and/or an innovative new idea that moves away from an investigator’s prior research but for which a strong case is made for the potential impact on childhood
cancers.
Innovation Grants will support research proposals to be carried out by investigators who are already established, have a recent track record of peer-reviewed publications and evidence of successfully competing for extramural funding. The grant is for two years up to $125,000 per year for direct costs only. A no-cost extension is permitted if progress is demonstrated and budget properly justified.
Applicant Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must have a faculty appointment at an academic institution.
- Applicant may be M.D., D.O., Ph.D, or M.D./Ph.D.
- Track record of publication and funding productivity in the last 5 years must demonstrate that the project can be accomplished by the investigator(s).
Evaluation Criteria
- Proposal must be hypothesis driven and mechanistic.
- Innovation must be clearly presented.
- Potential for major scientific impact in pediatric oncology is critical.
- While preliminary data are not required, the applicant must demonstrate feasibility of the research plan.
- Restrictions
Grants must be focused on pediatric translational oncology, from understanding basic biologic underpinnings to new therapies. - ALSF does not accept proposals for research utilizing human embryonic stem cells or nonhuman primates. (Research with human induced pluripotent stem cells is permissible.)
- One resubmission of a previously ALSF reviewed application is permitted.
- ALSF will only consider letters of intent from U.S. or Canadian institutions. However, the PI need not be a U.S. citizen.
- Institutions must have non-profit tax status.
Full applications are by invitation only, due March 1, 2019. For more information, please see LOI guidelines.