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Crazy 8 Initiative Grant Program on Pediatric Brain Tumors

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

This ALSF Crazy 8 RFA focuses on developing and enhancing pediatric brain tumor treatments. The focus must be on pediatric/adolescent brain tumors and should be a consortium of two or more institutions with different areas of research collaborating to integrate their expertise. It is strongly encouraged to have a patient advocate on the team.

The proposals will be judged on innovation, scientific soundness, significance, and the potential impact on improving the lives of children with cancer. The award selection process involves three stages: (1) a letter of intent to narrow the pool to the projects most in line with the scope of the Crazy 8 Initiative; (2) a full proposal to select finalists; and (3) a virtual presentation to ALSF leadership and the Crazy 8 Scientific Advisory Board to choose the award recipient(s).

Application Timeline and Review
•
A letter of intent (LOI) must be submitted, and all eligibility criteria met to be considered for the full proposal stage.
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Full proposals must meet all guideline criteria and all eligibility criteria; otherwise, applications will be administratively rejected.
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LOIs and full proposals will be reviewed by an independent panel of experts according to the NIH recognized peer-review process overseen by the Crazy 8 Initiative Scientific Review Board.
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We will announce the dates for Finalist Presentations as soon as they are confirmed. If invited, teams are expected to be available at this time.

Timeline Letter of Intent Due November 5, 2025
Invitation to Submit Full Proposal
January 2026 Full Proposals Due April 28, 2026
Invitation to Present
July 2026 Finalist Presentations (Virtual) September 2026
Award Notification
November 2026

Budget
The requested budget should be in proportion to the scope of the proposed project and its corresponding potential for impact. Depending on the type of project and the size of the team, the requested budget should be in the range of $3-5 million USD over four years. Cost efficiency will be one of the major considerations in review and funding decisions. Funding through subsequent years of the grant period is contingent upon satisfactory progress as determined by a Crazy 8 Initiative Scientific Review Board.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. 🎯 Strong Alignment with ALSF’s Mission & Research Focus

ALSF funds research specifically in childhood cancer — proposals must clearly focus on cancers in children (not adult cancers), and especially on novel approaches, new therapies, or filling critical gaps in pediatric oncology. alexslemonade.org+2alexslemonade.org+2

Projects should aim toward less toxic treatments, improved survivorship, or therapies for cancers that are currently hard to treat. alexslemonade.org+1

2. 🧑‍🔬 Appropriate Career Stage & Grant Program

ALSF offers different award types depending on career stage: e.g., the “A” Award (up to ~US $800,000/4 years) for early faculty establishing independence. Research at UCalgary+1

They expect applicants to have a clear commitment to pediatric cancer research — for example, you should demonstrate that this field will be your long-term focus. Research at UCalgary+1

3. 📚 Innovation, Novelty & Feasibility

ALSF explicitly states that they want projects that are original and not currently being funded. For example, the “A” Award guidelines say: “original project that is not currently being funded.” Research at UCalgary

Feasibility matters: strong scientific rationale, well-designed research plan, realistic budget, and milestones.

4. 🏫 Institutional Support & Protected Research Time

For major awards (e.g., “A” Award), applicants must allocate a large percentage of their time (e.g., ≥ 75%) to research activities during the grant period. Research at UCalgary

Institutional commitment (department chairs, division chiefs) and letters of support strengthen applications.

5. 🔄 Resource Sharing & Broader Impact

ALSF requires applicants to include a Resource Sharing Plan: if you generate unique reagents, data, or tools, you must describe how those will be shared. Research at UCalgary

They value the long-term impact of the research — e.g., whether it can lead to trials, new therapies, or make a meaningful difference in childhood cancer outcomes. alexslemonade.org+1

6. 🤝 Collaboration & Big Picture Thinking

Some ALSF initiative programs (e.g., the “Crazy 8 Initiative”) fund large, multi-investigator, multi-institution teams tackling the most difficult childhood cancers. These projects are collaborative, high-risk/high-reward. alexslemonade.org+1

Even for smaller grants, showing connections, cross-discipline thinking, or potential for follow-on funding is beneficial.

📋 Summary Table of Success Predictors

Success Predictor	Why It Matters for ALSF Applications
Clear focus on childhood cancer	Funders only consider pediatric cancers (not adult cancers)
Appropriate award match (career stage, scope)	Ensures you fit the eligibility and expectations of the award
Novel, not-currently-funded project idea	Demonstrates uniqueness and ability to fill a gap
Strong scientific design, feasibility & milestones	Shows you can execute and deliver meaningful results
Institutional backing & protected time	Funders want to know you have support and time to succeed
Resource-sharing plan and broader impact	Amplifies value of investment and aligns with ALSF ethos
Collaboration or long-term translational potential	Strengthens potential for major impact and follow-on opportunities

Specialties

Cancer

Eligibility Requirements

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PIs, Co-PIs, and Co-Is must have an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD or equivalent and be appointed as faculty (or equivalent) at an academic institution.
•
PIs, Co-PIs, and Co-Is must have a track record of publication and funding productivity that demonstrates that the project can be accomplished by the investigators.
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PIs, Co-PIs, and Co-Is' institutions may be based in the United States or abroad, and applicants need not be United States citizens. Funds must be granted to nonprofit institutions or organizations and will be distributed in US dollars.
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PIs, Co-PIs may not have been PIs or Co-PIs on a previously funded Crazy 8 Project.
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Co-Is may not be on a currently funded Crazy 8 Project at the time of submission. However, if a Co-I with special expertise is needed that is already on a team, please send your request with a brief description of why this member is critical for the team to Margaret Poore before the submission deadline at M.Poore@AlexsLemonade.org and we will review it administratively.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 333 E. Lancaster Ave, #414, Wynnewood, PA 19096 USA Phone: 866.333.1213

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