The purpose of the R Accelerated Award Grant is to advance ALSF’s mission to find cures and better treatments for childhood cancers by providing support to scientists focused on pediatric oncology research. Applicants must have an original project that is not currently being funded and that has a clear focus on accelerating the discovery of more effective, less toxic therapies for childhood cancers. Research projects should address a testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale. Applicants must be a first-time PI or co-PI (MPI) of a pediatric cancer researchfocused NIH R01 award or equivalent independent award (see below for definition of equivalent). Applicants with more than one NIH R01 award or equivalent independent award are not eligible for the R Accelerated Award Grant. Demonstration of continued commitment to pediatric cancer investigation as well as institutional support are critical components of a successful application. The R Accelerated Award is a four-year grant.
Application Timeline and Review
• A full proposal must be submitted that meets all guideline criteria as well as all eligibility criteria; otherwise, applications will be administratively rejected.
• Full proposals will be reviewed by an independent panel of experts according to the NIH recognized peer-review process
Budget
The requested budget should be in proportion to the scope of the proposed project and should be for direct costs of $800,000 USD or below over 4 years. A maximum of $200,000 in total direct costs may be requested per year
👉 ALSF funds projects that fill critical gaps in pediatric oncology
👉 Funding is awarded primarily based on peer-review ranking and quality of science
👉 Foundation explicitly supports early-stage, innovative concepts
👉 Projects must show a clear path to patient benefit
Successful proposals:
👉 “Unmet need” is a major decision factor
ALSF strongly invests in researchers:
Early-career:
Senior investigators:
👉 Many grants are designed to build future pediatric cancer leaders
👉 Feasibility is essential due to competitive funding environment
👉 Large initiatives (e.g., “Crazy 8”) emphasize team science
👉 ALSF acts as seed + accelerator funding
Highest impact factors:
Moderate predictors:
4. Translational potential
5. Addressing unmet clinical needs
6. Investigator potential
Supporting factors:
7. Feasibility
8. Collaboration
9. Future funding potential
Compared to other pediatric cancer funders:
👉 Key success question:
“Is this a bold, high-quality idea that could lead to a cure for childhood cancer—and isn’t already funded elsewhere?”
• Applicant institutions must be based in the United States or Canada. Applicants need not be United States citizens. Funds must be granted to nonprofit institutions or organizations.
• Applicants must have an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD, DO, MBBS or equivalent and be within ten years of their first faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level (higher academic ranks allowed) at the time that their application is submitted.
• Applicants cannot be lead PIs on active ALSF funded grants concurrent with the R Accelerated Award. • Applicants must be a PI or co-PI/MPI of their first NIH R01 or equivalent independent award, must be within five years of the notice of award (NOA: January 2021 or later), and the award must be focused on pediatric cancer. Investigators holding more than one NIH R01 award or equivalent independent award are not eligible to apply.
• A Notice of Award document from the NIH or other funding organization must be submitted with the application. There must be clear documentation of how scientific and budgetary overlap will be avoided.
• R01 equivalent NIH awards include the DP1, DP2, DP5, R37, R56, RF1, RL1, U01 and selected R35 activity codes. The R00 award is not an eligible equivalent. Please read the ALSF R01 equivalency policy for more details.
• Funding from other agencies should be peer-reviewed awards of $200,000 (USD) or more a year for 4 or more years. R01-equivalent grants cannot be mentored-career development awards.
• If applicant's R01 equivalent award is not listed above or in the ALSF R01 Equivalency policy, prior approval is required, reach out to Margaret Poore at M.Poore@AlexsLemonade.org at least 4 weeks before application due date. Potential applicants who reach out with R01 equivalency inquiries after May 14, 2026, may not be eligible this cycle.
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 333 E. Lancaster Ave, #414, Wynnewood, PA 19096
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Jun 11, 2026
Jun 11, 2026
$800,000
3 awards available.
Affiliation: Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation
Address: 333 E. Lancaster Ave, #414, Wynnewood, PA 19096
Website URL: https://www.alexslemonade.org/sites/default/files/images/alsf1/downloads/finaldraft_3_11_26.pdf
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