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New Investigator Research Grant Program

Leukemia Research Foundation

Our New Investigator Research Grant Program supports early-career investigators of exceptional creativity who propose highly innovative research projects with the potential to impact broad, essential areas of leukemia research. For the program to support the best and brightest minds, applications are sought from investigators who reflect the full diversity of the research workforce and represent diverse backgrounds, institutions, and geographic locations. Grants of up to $150K are awarded over a two-year period to new investigators -- researchers within seven years of their first independent faculty-level position.

The funding cycle for the New Investigator Research Grant Program begins July 1, 2026. Below is a timeline of the application process.

Friday, December 5, 2025: Letter of intent opens and link to ProposalCentral is posted
Friday, February 6, 2026: Letter of intent due by 12pm CT (noon). Submit via ProposalCentral.
Friday, March 13, 2026: Notification if invited to submit a full application
Monday, April 13, 2026: Full application due (if invited to submit) by 12pm CT (noon)
By June 30, 2026: Grant recipients notified of award

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Below are the major elements that tend to distinguish competitive proposals to the Leukemia Research Foundation’s New Investigator Research Grant Program.

📌 1. Clear Relevance to Leukemia and MDS

Your research question must be tightly focused on leukemia biology, pathogenesis, treatment mechanisms, or MDS rather than general hematology or unrelated cancer types. Oncodaily

Success strategy:
✔ Frame aims around leukemia-specific pathways, mechanisms, therapeutic targets, or clinical unmet needs.

🔬 2. Scientific Innovation & High Impact Potential

LRF prioritizes novel ideas with the ability to advance the field beyond incremental knowledge. Reviewers look for research that could:

Reveal new mechanisms driving leukemia

Improve treatments or therapeutic strategies

Address significant gaps in understanding or clinical care

Success strategy:
✔ Highlight how your project moves the field forward and why it matters for patients.

🧪 3. Feasibility Within the Grant Scope

Since the award is modest and short (2 years), proposals must present a realistic and achievable plan with measurable milestones. Leukemia Research Foundation

Success strategy:
✔ Provide a clear timeline and interim milestones.
✔ Ensure methods are well-justified and supported by preliminary data (where appropriate).

👩‍🔬 4. Investigator Independence & Capacity

Because this program targets new investigators, demonstrating scientific independence and the ability to lead a research program is crucial:

Track record of quality publications or contributions

Clear leadership in research design and execution

Evidence of institutional support (e.g., lab space, mentoring environment) Leukemia Research Foundation

Success strategy:
✔ Emphasize your role in prior research and your readiness to direct this project independently.

📊 5. Strategic Budget Planning

LRF has specific budget rules:

No funding for PI salary beyond allowable limits

Capital equipment above ~$7,500 generally not covered (exceptions must be justified)

Modest travel to meetings may be included (< $3,000) Leukemia Research Foundation

Success strategy:
✔ Justify all cost categories with tight links to project outcomes.

🌍 6. Addressing Career Interruptions Thoughtfully

LRF explicitly accounts for career interruptions (e.g., family leave, illness), so articulating adjustments transparently with documentation can strengthen your competitiveness rather than count against you. Leukemia Research Foundation

🧠 7. Diversity and Inclusivity

LRF encourages applications from investigators of diverse backgrounds and institutions, seeking to broaden representation in leukemia research. www2.fundsforngos.org

Success strategy:
✔ If eligible, mention institutional or personal contexts that reflect diversity of perspective or experience.

🧠 Proposal and Review Tips

📌 LOI matters: A compelling Letter of Intent that clearly identifies significance, innovation, feasibility, and your independent capacity is essential — only selected LOIs are invited to full peer review. Leukemia Research Foundation
📌 Focus on outcomes: Emphasize what knowledge or tools the project will produce and how these will advance leukemia research.
📌 Be concise and clear: Review committees often include experts across leukemia domains; clarity helps reviewers see the project’s merit quickly.

📊 What LRF Doesn’t Fund (for This Program)

🚫 Major independent grant holders (R01, VA Merit) are generally ineligible. Leukemia Research Foundation
🚫 Fellows and trainees not yet in independent faculty roles. Leukemia Research Foundation
🚫 Multiple active awards totaling ≥ $175K/year (except specified exceptions like K08/R00). Leukemia Research Foundation
🚫 Renewal applications; previous LRF awardees are not eligible to reapply. Leukemia Research Foundation

🧠 Summary: LRF Success Predictors

Predictor	Why It Matters
Leukemia/MDS focus	Aligns with mission to cure leukemia. Oncodaily
Innovation & impact	Value of scientific advancement.
Feasible, well-designed plan	Confidence in deliverability. Leukemia Research Foundation
Investigator independence	Readiness to lead leukemia research. Leukemia Research Foundation
Budget justification	Efficient use of limited funds. Leukemia Research Foundation
Diversity consideration	Broadening research perspectives.

Specialties

Neurosciences

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be independent investigators affiliated with a non-profit academic institution at the time funding commences and for the duration of the award.
New investigators are defined as applicants within seven years after the start date of their first independent faculty-level appointment. Years as a resident physician, fellow physician, or post-doctoral fellow are considered to be training years and are not included in the seven-year guideline.
A researcher must be in an independent faculty-level position at the time the application is submitted. An independent position is a scientist who has dedicated laboratory space, directly hires and supervises laboratory personnel, and makes all decisions concerning research activities and use of the grant funds.
Adjustments for career interruptions can be made. These could include but are not limited to family leave, military service, major illness, or injury. It is the responsibility of the applicant to point out and document such interruptions.
Applicants are not required to be US citizens. Research projects from outside the US are eligible.
Applicants with a KO8, R00, or R99 grant are eligible. The total grant amount will not be applied toward the $175K per year threshold on total direct costs.
DOE, DOD, NSF, R21, or other grants with less than $175K per year in total direct costs are permitted.
Only one LOI may be submitted from the same applicant (Principal Investigator).

Not eligible

Applicants with any active single grant (or multiple grants added together) that total $175K or greater in total direct costs per year are not eligible (as noted above, KO8, R00, R99 grant awards are excluded from this total threshold).
Fellows are not eligible to apply.
Applicants with NIH RO1 funding, VA Merit Award, or equivalent.
Renewal applications will not be accepted and investigators who have received a Leukemia Research Foundation new investigator award in the past are not eligible to apply.
Co-PI's are not permitted.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Leukemia Research Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 191 Waukegan Road, Suite 105 Northfield, Illinois 60093 847.424.0600 info@leukemiarf.org EIN# 36-6102182

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