Funding opportunities

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health is soliciting applications for Mind and Body Interventions to Restore Whole Person Health (R61/R33). It supports mechanistic clinical trials testing how mind-body interventions such as mindfulness, yoga and acupuncture affect emotional well-being and link to Whole Person Health. The award has two phases: feasibility with Go/No-Go benchmarks (R61) followed by a full trial (R33). Funding is for up to $475,000 a year in direct costs; total project period up to five years. The center expects to make three awards in fiscal year 2026 totaling about $2 million. There are three application due dates a year; the first one is November 7. 

The Cancer Research Foundation Young Investigator Award supports early-career scientists launching independent research careers. This program provides funding to help generate critical preliminary data and strengthen applications for future external funding opportunities. Awardees receive about $100,000 over two years to advance innovative cancer research. Applications are due November 10. 

The NIH Collaborative Program Grant for Multidisciplinary Teams (RM1) supports highly integrated research teams of three to six principal investigators addressing ambitious, cross-disciplinary research questions aligned with the mission of the National Institute of General Medical Sciences. This opportunity is intended for projects that require true collaboration and synergy beyond the scope of individual efforts, advancing transformative discoveries through managed team science. Each institution may submit up to two applications, and WashU applicants must coordinate through the internal competition process. The internal submission deadline is November 10. 

Welcome Trust has launched the Mental Health Award: Transforming Early Intervention for Anxiety, Depression and Psychosis in Young People to fund large‐scale, real‑world studies of psychological or social interventions that have already shown efficacy in controlled settings. Investigators based in the U.S. are eligible to apply. The award has two phases. The foundation phase provides £200,000 ($273,000) over 12 months to build partnerships, refine intervention plans and outline effectiveness, implementation and economic evaluation in either the U.K. or in low‑ or middle‑income countries. The impact phase, open to foundation phase awardees in February 2027, provides £5 million to £8 million ($6.8 million to $10.9 million) over up to five years to test and scale the intervention. Eligible projects must target 10- to 30-year-olds, embed lived‑experience and implementation partners, clearly define active ingredients, use validated health and functional outcomes, and plan for sustainable, scalable delivery. Foundation phase applications are due November 11. 

The Washington University Advancing Cancer Control Engaged Research Through Transformative Solutions (WashU-ACCERT) program is accepting applications for its Community Responsive Pilot Studies. The program provides up to $90,000 a year for two years to support projects. Letters of intent are due by 5 p.m. November 17, with full applications due March 1. Virtual information sessions begin October 27. 

Siteman Cancer Center offers travel awards to support trainees in presenting their cancer research at national or international meetings. These awards help cover travel, registration, and related costs, with a maximum of $1,500 per person. The application deadline is November 20, with awards announced by mid-December. This program provides an excellent opportunity for early-career investigators to share their work and engage with the broader cancer research community. 

Research! America has micro-grant opportunities for early-career scientists. They have two programs — Civic Engagement Microgrant Program and Public Engagement Content Award — open to graduate students, postdocs, and professional students in STEMM fields interested in public engagement, communication, and policy. The deadline for submission is November 21. Questions may be directed to microgrants@researchamerica.org.

The Cancer Research UK and American Cancer Society Biology to Prevention Award supports collaborative team research projects designed to bridge biological discovery and cancer prevention. Each proposal must demonstrate strong synergy between investigators and clearly outline how the interdisciplinary team will accelerate scientific advancement and clinical benefit. Each team must include one PI from an eligible U.S. institution and one PI from an eligible U.K. institution. Awards provide up to $860,000 over five years, and applications are due November 24.

The American Lung Association is accepting applications for its Public Health & Public Policy Research Award, supporting projects that evaluate policies or public health programs related to lung health, including tobacco control, air quality, climate policy, health disparities, access to care, and other policy-relevant research. The award is for up to $50,000 a year for two years. Applications are due December 1 with funding beginning July 1, 2026. 

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) Pathway to Independence Award (K99/R00) supports promising early-stage postdoctoral researchers as they transition from mentored training to independent, tenure-track positions. The program provides independent research funding to help scholars establish competitive cancer research careers. Researchers in cancer control, prevention, and data sciences are especially encouraged to apply. Each institution may submit up to four applications (one per category) across the following opportunities: PAR-23-286 (non-clinical trial), PAR-23-287 (lead investigator in a clinical trial), and PAR-23-288 (gaining experience in a trial led by another investigator). The internal submission deadline is December 1, with the NIH agency deadline in February 2026.

The American Cancer Society offers a range of grant programs to support innovative cancer research and career development across disciplines with the next major funding deadline on December 1. Specific funding opportunities include Research Scholar Grants, Clinician Scientist Development Grants, Discovery Boost Grants, Mission Boost Grants, and Postdoctoral Fellowships. The Catalyst Awards, which support cross-disciplinary and high-risk, high-reward projects, have a later deadline of January 5.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is a private foundation that supports biomedical research and education, fostering innovation and developing future leaders in science. The Fund’s Next Gen Pregnancy Initiative – Advisory Committee seeks to advance reproductive sciences by bringing together experts to guide and support innovative research on pregnancy and maternal-fetal health. Research grants will provide $500,000 over a four-year period and are expected to begin October 1, 2026. Deadline for applications is December 4 at 3 p.m. ET. If you are interested in applying, reach out to the SPH Office of Research Affairs or Caitlin Bristow in Advancement. 

The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® supports innovative translational research on cancers that predominantly affect women, including breast, ovarian, uterine, endometrial, and cervical cancers. These grants aim to bridge laboratory discoveries and clinical applications to improve diagnosis, prevention, and treatment outcomes. The Foundation anticipates awarding 10–15 grants of up to $100,000 total ($50,000 per year for two years). Each institution may submit one application, and the internal WashU submission deadline is December 4.

The Hearing Health Foundation (HHF) is accepting letters of intent by December 5 for its 2026–2027 Emerging Research Grants program, supporting innovative hearing and balance research. Three award types are available:

• Elizabeth M. Keithley, PhD. Early-Stage Investigator Awards, offering up to $50,000 per year for early investigators without major federal funding.
• Focused Discovery Awards, providing up to $50,000 per year for projects addressing age-related hearing loss, Ménière’s disease, hyperacusis, or tinnitus.
• Expanded Discovery Awards, granting up to $100,000 per year for research on Central Auditory Processing Disorder. 

SPH’s Center for Diabetes Translation Research is accepting grant applications for innovative translational research aimed at reducing the burden of diabetes. The program offers pilot grants of up to $50,000 for one year to support new clinical or translational projects. Letters of intent are due December 8 with full proposals due January 12. The program also offers small project grants of up to $5,000 for focused data collection or analysis, with applications accepted on a rolling basis. For more information or to apply, visit the Diabetes Pilot & Feasibility Program webpage. 

The 2026 Knight Alzheimer Disease Research Center (ADRC) Scholar Program is accepting applications for early-career investigators pursuing research in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. This one- to two-year mentored research experience offers 50% salary support, individualized development planning, hands-on training, monthly career development seminars, grant-writing instruction, and opportunities for professional networking and research presentations. Eligible applicants must be at the late postdoctoral, instructor, or assistant professor stage with the ability to commit 50% effort to research training. Applications are due January 9.

The Burroughs Wellcome Fund (BWF) is a private foundation that supports biomedical research and education, fostering innovation and developing future leaders in science. The Fund’s Career Awards at the Scientific Interface provides $560,000 over five years to help postdoctoral researchers transition into faculty roles, supporting those applying physical, computational, and engineering approaches to biological research. Deadline for applications is January 12 at 3 p.m. ET.

Caplan Foundation for Early Childhood supports innovative projects that improve the well-being of children from birth to age 7 across the U.S. Areas of interest include health, education, play, family support, and social integration. The foundation awards seed funding for creative, high-impact projects with national relevance and range from $30,000–$75,000. Applications start by submitting a letter of inquiry through the Caplan website. Some are then invited to submit full proposals. LOIs are due January 31. 

The American Foundation for Suicide Prevention Research Grant Program supports innovative studies aimed at understanding and preventing suicide. For 2024–2026, priority areas include research on ethnic and racial diversity, understudied high-risk populations, and survivors of suicide loss. Grants are open to investigators across disciplines, and fund both basic and applied research that includes a suicide outcome measure. Seven categories of grants are available, with awards up to $500,000 per year for three years, with a two-year funding window for most mechanisms. For more information on criteria and the application processes, visit this page on suicide prevention research grants. 

The WashU Office of Technology Management (OTM) is accepting applications for the GAP Fund, which provides critical early-stage funding to help bridge the gap between academic research and market-ready innovation. The program supports promising non-drug technologies developed at WashU with strong commercial or societal potential. Funding can be used to advance prototypes, validate feasibility, or gather data to attract outside investment or industry partners. Applications may be submitted at any time. 

The WashU Institute of Clinical and Translational Sciences (ICTS) Precision Health Innovation Awards provide up to $25,000 for research on rare diseases. Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and are designed for independent faculty launching early-stage projects.

The ICTS also has the ICTS Just-In-Time Core Usage Funding Program, which provides rapid, flexible funding to support access to affiliated research cores. This program helps researchers advance medical knowledge and improve human health through collaborative, timely use of shared resources. Applications are due by 5 p.m. CT on the 10th of each month. 

The Patient‑Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funds patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that generates evidence to help patients, caregivers, and the broader health-care community make informed health-care decisions. Several PCORI funding announcements will open for LOI submissions on December 2. Applicants are encouraged to prepare early by exploring key resources, including What You Need to Know to Apply. Researchers whose work aligns with PCORI’s mission are also encouraged to attend a virtual applicant town hall.

The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health has posted a forecast grant opportunity to support creation of interdisciplinary research networks focused on resilience and health optimization through the Interdisciplinary Research Networks on Resilience and Health Optimization (U24). Networks are expected to foster cross-disciplinary collaboration, pilot projects, training, and dissemination of best practices. Funding is estimated at $1.5 million. The notice of funding opportunity is expected January 5, with applications due May 25, 2026.

The CDC has released forecasted funding opportunities under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). These grants are designed to strengthen HIV prevention, testing, and treatment services across sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on health system resilience and equitable access to care. Prospective applicants are encouraged to explore related and upcoming CDC and HHS opportunities in the similar opportunities section for aligned funding aimed at advancing global HIV/AIDS relief and capacity building. For more details, visit the CDC PEPFAR Forecast on grants.gov.