A translational imperative for the OSI is to cultivate and support a research agenda that will identify biological dependencies in the disease that can be targeted in patients. This research agenda will ideally include the use of novel laboratory approaches and bioinformatic tools applied to osteosarcoma cells, a diversity of in vivo models across species and human patient samples. Furthermore, we are particularly interested in the study of dependencies that may impact a variety of potential phenotypes associated with the disease, including metastatic proclivity, DDR in the context of a structurally complex genome, identifying novel disease targets using surfaceome approaches, targeting mechanisms of resistance to first generation T cell checkpoint blockade in osteosarcoma, and other immunotherapeutic opportunities. While we value projects designed to enable new clinical studies, we also realize and value foundational research studies that will identify the desired biological dependencies/targets.
BUDGET Up to $500,000 total over two years (inclusive of indirect costs not to exceed 10% of the requested project budget).
OSI exclusively funds projects that meaningfully accelerate treatments, particularly for:
Relapsed or refractory osteosarcoma
Metastatic disease (especially lung metastasis)
Therapeutic resistance and relapse biology
Clinically actionable targets
Priority topics include:
Immunotherapy (T/NK cell, vaccines, IO combinations)
Target discovery & validation
Drug repurposing or novel small molecules
Precision medicine strategies (genomic, proteomic)
Biomarkers predicting response or relapse
Minimal residual disease (MRD) and monitoring tools
Metastasis inhibition
❗ Basic bone/sarcoma biology without a clear therapeutic implication rarely gets funded.
OSI offers mechanisms aligned to translational stage:
| Mechanism | Best For | Key Criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Clinical Trial Grants | Investigator-initiated OS trials | Patient access, delivery timeline, safety & endpoints |
| Translational Grants | Bridging lab → clinic | Strong preliminary data + clear therapeutic pathway |
| Drug Development / Accelerator Funding | Industry or academia–industry | IND-enabling or near-clinical compounds |
Predictor: Match your development stage to the mechanism: discovery → validation → translation → trial.
OSI expects feasibility evidence:
Target expression/essentiality
Early efficacy in OS models
Pharmacokinetic/toxicity data (if drug-focused)
Proof of access to relapsed OS cohorts or samples
Pilot biomarker signals
Predictor: Strong preliminary data is a top determinant of success.
Models must clearly reflect human OS disease:
Patient-derived xenografts (PDX)
OS lung metastasis models
Canine OS as a translational bridge
CRISPR or humanized OS models
OS organoids or 3D cultures
Omics-driven subtype stratification
Predictor: OS-specific and metastasis-relevant models are critical for translational value.
Winning proposals articulate a stepwise path toward patient benefit, including:
Defined translational milestones
Criteria for progressing to clinical trial
Endpoints that enable FDA engagement
Roadmap for CMC, toxicity, patient accrual (if applicable)
Predictor: “Therapy acceleration” must be undeniable.
Especially for clinical/translational awards:
Access to relapse and metastatic patients
Clinical sample biobanks
Imaging/pathology data
Partnerships with COG/SARC groups or major sarcoma centers
Predictor: Demonstrated access to relevant patients boosts feasibility.
Top-scoring proposals include:
Clinician–scientist involvement
Experts in drug development, immunology, or metastasis biology
Cross-institutional collaborations
Industry partnership for IND/CMC/trial readiness
Predictor: Proven expertise + collaboration improves reviewer confidence.
OSI funding is milestone-driven.
Best proposals have:
2–3 focused, hypothesis-driven aims
Concrete deliverables (e.g., “IND submission-ready PK/PD dataset”)
Risk mitigation strategies
Clear timelines & go/no-go checkpoints
Predictor: Clarity + feasibility = higher scores.
Highest priority for:
Relapsed/refractory disease
Rare OS subtypes
Therapies for patients with limited options
Early detection of metastasis or relapse
Reducing treatment toxicity in young patients
Predictor: Targeting urgent care gaps strengthens impact.
Reviewers appreciate proposals that are:
Direct and well-written
Supported by compelling figures
Easy to follow for clinicians, scientists, and drug developers
Strong in statistical and regulatory rationale (if clinical)
Predictor: Professional-quality writing improves enthusiasm.
| Predictor | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Osteosarcoma-specific focus | Core mission |
| Mechanism alignment | Expected progress level |
| Strong preliminary data | Demonstrates feasibility |
| Relevant OS models | Ensures translational relevance |
| Near-term clinical trajectory | OSI’s core goal |
| Patient access | Critical for clinical translation |
| Collaboration | Execution & expertise assurance |
| Focused aims | Fits OSI’s milestone-driven model |
| Address unmet needs | Aligns with mission urgency |
| Clear writing & rationale | Improves reviewer scoring |
• Funds must be granted to nonprofit/charitable institutions or organizations. While we allow for any individual institution to submit multiple LOI submissions, we are unlikely to fund more than one grant per institution in any grant cycle.
• Grantee organization does not need to be based in the United States.
o However, in order to fund a foreign entity, the OSI requires documentation that if the entity were a United States-based organization, the entity would qualify as a charitable organization. This is usually relatively straightforward when dealing with entities in countries with a tax regime similar to the U.S. by way of a government-issued letter or other document designating the entity as a charitable institution or as performing a charitable purpose (for example, research or education). It might also be a determination from the relevant taxing authority that the entity qualifies for tax-deductible contributions.
• Applicants need not be United States citizens.
• Applicants must have an MD, PhD, MD/PhD, or equivalent and be appointed as faculty (or equivalent) at an academic institution.
• Applicants must have a track record of publication and funding productivity that demonstrates the project can be accomplished by the investigators.
• Research projects may be an extension of ongoing research but cannot overlap with any funded studies unless the applicant clearly demonstrates that new funding will not duplicate existing support.
• Applicants can submit only one (1) Letter of Intent (LOI).
• Applicants selected for funding will permit the OSI to publicize the grant for fundraising purposes, including, but not limited to a five-minute video discussing the research project, photos of lab, and photos of children participating in clinical trials, where applicable.
• Applications that do not follow the specific grant application instructions and/or submission process will not be considered.
• Applications received after the due date will not be considered.
• Applications which do not fall under the OSI mission will not be considered.
• Resubmissions: Only one resubmission of a previously reviewed application is permitted.
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Osteosarcoma Institute
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 3963 Maple Avenue Suite 390 Dallas, TX 75219
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Apr 15, 2026
Apr 15, 2026
$500,000
Affiliation: Osteosarcoma Institute
Address: 3963 Maple Avenue Suite 390 Dallas, TX 75219
Website URL: https://osinst.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/2025-2026-OSI-Grant-Cycle-Application-Instructions-FINAL-2.pdf
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