Kids Beating Cancer is dedicated to ending childhood cancer. Only through research can cures be discovered and children’s lives be saved. Kids Beating Cancer funds innovative, novel research projects that have the greatest potential for advancement into promising life-saving Clinical Trials and therapies for children with cancer and Leukemia. Kids Beating Cancer continues to build the blueprint for a cure through its research grants, from molecular discoveries to innovative treatments.
The Kids Beating Cancer’s Scientific Advisory Board oversees the grant review process, recommends the scientific priorities and policies, while guiding new innovative research project areas. All applications are submitted through our Proposal Central portal and reviewed annually by our Scientific Advisory Board. Visit our website for current grant application deadlines for each grant category.
JOHN VOIGHT MEMORIAL LEUKEMIA RESEARCH GRANT
Named after Kids Beating Cancer Founder’s son, John Voight, who lost his life to AML Monosomy 7 at the age of nine, the John Voight Memorial Leukemia Research Grant aims to bring today’s leukemia discoveries to the bedside by developing new treatments for pediatric leukemia with emphasis on Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML). The John Voight Memorial Leukemia Research Grant funds translational pediatric leukemia research with an emphasis on AML in a two-step format totaling up to $300,000 over a three-year period.
The aim of this award is to fund translation studies that support therapeutic development, biomarker research, or any other projects that will have the ability to impact pediatric AML patients within several years. Apply for the Robert G. Owens Memorial Leukemia Research Grant if your project is geared toward basic science in leukemias.
- Tier 1: $100,000
- Goal: support translational pediatric leukemia research with emphasis on Acute Myelocytic Leukemia (AML)
- Length: 1 year
- Tier 2: $200,000
- Eligibility: Tier 1 recipient with successful data
- Length: 2 years
A letter of intent must be received by the submission deadline indicating interest in applying for the John Voight Memorial Leukemia Research Grant. If invited, a full proposal must be submitted by the specific cycle deadline that meets all Kids Beating Cancer guidelines and criteria to be accepted and reviewed by the Kids Beating Cancer Scientific Advisory Board. All Letters of Intent and applications must be received via Proposal Central.
- Letter of Intent Submission Due Date: July 1, 2025
- Invitation to Apply notification: August 1, 2025
- Proposal Submission: September 15, 2025
- Grant award notification: November -December 2025
Eligibility Criteria
- Research must be original, novel and focus on pediatric leukemia, with an emphasis on AML.
- Authors must submit original work that has not been previously published; or, if previously submitted abstracts from recent prominent research conferences, such as ASPHO, ASH, ASCO, or AACR, there must be a noted significant change or advancement to the research to be eligible.
- Applicants MAY be involved in other research grants, but there must be clear documentation of mechanisms to avoid scientific and/or budgetary overlap.
- Research institutions must be based in the United States and must have nonprofit or academic status.
- Applicants must have an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD or equivalent and be appointed as faculty (or equivalent) at an academic institution.
APPLY TO THE JOHN VOIGHT MEMORIAL LEUKEMIA RESEARCH GRANT
ROBERT G. OWENS MEMORIAL LEUKEMIA RESEARCH GRANT
Named in honor of John’s grandfather, the Robert G. Owens Memorial Leukemia Research Grant aims to bring today’s leukemia discoveries to tomorrow’s cures. Our vision is to move pediatric cancer knowledge forward by developing new treatments for pediatric leukemia. The Robert G. Owens Memorial Leukemia grant funds basic-science pediatric leukemia research in a two-step format totaling up to $200,000 over two years.
The aim of this award is to fund basic science in pediatric leukemias. Apply for the John Voight Memorial Leukemia Research Grant if your project is geared toward translational science in leukemias, with an emphasis on AML.
- Tier 1: $100,000
- Goal: support basic-science pediatric leukemia research
- Research type: basic-science research
- Cancer type: leukemia
- Length: 1 year
- Tier 2: $100,000
- Eligibility: Award 1 recipient with successful data
- Length: 1 year
A letter of intent must be received by the submission deadline indicating interest in applying for the John Voight Memorial Leukemia Research Grant. If invited, a full proposal must be submitted by the specific cycle deadline that meets all Kids Beating Cancer guidelines and criteria to be accepted and reviewed by the Kids Beating Cancer Scientific Advisory Board. All Letters of Intent and applications must be received via Proposal Central.
- Letter of Intent Submission Due Date: July 1, 2025
- Invitation to Apply notification: August 1, 2025
- Proposal Submission: September 15, 2025
- Grant award notification: November -December 2025
Eligibility Criteria
- Research must be original, novel and focus on pediatric leukemia, with an emphasis on AML.
- Authors must submit original work that has not been previously published; or, if previously submitted abstracts from recent prominent research conferences, such as ASPHO, ASH, ASCO, or AACR, there must be a noted significant change or advancement to the research to be eligible.
- Applicants MAY be involved in other research grants, but there must be clear documentation of mechanisms to avoid scientific and/or budgetary overlap.
- Research institutions must be based in the United States and must have nonprofit or academic status.
- Applicants must have an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD or equivalent and be appointed as faculty (or equivalent) at an academic institution.
APPLY TO THE ROBERT G. OWENS MEMORIAL LEUKEMIA RESEARCH GRANT
SCIENCE IS THE CURE RESEARCH GRANT
The Science is the Cure Research Grant supports the development of promising pediatric cancer therapies for blood cancers and solid tumors. The Science is the Cure Research Grant moves pediatric cancer knowledge forward by awarding up to $300,000 grants in a two-step format over a two or three-year period. This award is to fund translation studies that support therapeutic development, biomarker research, or any other projects that will have the ability to impact pediatric cancer patients within several years.
- Tier 1: $100,000
- Goal: support development of promising therapies for pediatric cancer
- Research type: translational research for blood cancers and solid tumors
- Length: 1 year
- Tier 2: $100,000-$200,000
- Eligibility: Tier 1 recipient with successful data
- Length: 1-2 years
A letter of intent must be received by the submission deadline indicating interest in applying for the Science is the Cure Research Grant. If invited, a full proposal must be submitted by the specific cycle deadline that meets all Kids Beating Cancer guidelines and criteria to be accepted and reviewed by the Kids Beating Cancer Scientific Advisory Board.
- Letter of Intent Submission Due Date: July 1, 2025
- Invitation to Apply notification: August 1, 2025
- Proposal Submission: September 15, 2025
- Grant award notification: November -December 2025
- Research must be original, novel and focus on pediatric liquid or solid cancer.
- Authors must submit original work that has not been previously published; or, if previously submitted abstracts from recent prominent research conferences, such as ASPHO, ASH, ASCO, or AACR, there must be a noted significant change or advancement to the research to be eligible.
- Applicants MAY be involved in other research grants, but there must be clear documentation of mechanisms to avoid scientific and/or budgetary overlap.
- Research institutions must be based in the United States and must have nonprofit or academic status.
- Applicants must have an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD or equivalent. Post doctoral researchers are eligible to apply.
APPLY TO THE SCIENCE IS THE CURE RESEARCH GRANT
EMERGING SCIENTIST GRANT
The Emerging Scientist Grant aims to develop graduate students into tomorrow’s scientific leaders in pediatric cancer research. The goal of the Emerging Scientist Grant is to expose trainees to the field of pediatric cancer research while working on a research project. Trainees are required to work with a mentor to be eligible for this grant. Trainees may work on an ongoing research project conducted by their mentor or begin their own research project with their mentor. Students may pursue their research at their own institution or at another institution.
- Grant Amount: $10,000
- Project Length: 1-3 months
A full application must be received by the submission deadline that meets all Kids Beating Cancer guidelines and criteria to be accepted and reviewed by the Kids Beating Cancer Scientific Advisory Board.
- Grant Application Deadline: June 2, 2025
- Grant Award Notification: July 1, 2025
- Project Report Deadline: October 31, 2025
- Grant applicant must be a graduate student enrolled in an accredited institution pursuing a master’s degree, PhD, or medical degree.
- Grant applicants must work directly with a mentor.
- Mentors must work in the field of pediatric cancer research in the United States.
- Mentors must submit a letter of support with the grant application.
- Research must be applicable to pediatric cancer.
- Authors must submit original work that has not been previously published; or, if previously submitted abstracts from recent prominent research conferences, such as ASPHO, ASH, ASCO, or AACR, there must be a noted significant change or advancement to the research to be eligible.
- Applicants MAY be involved in other research grants, but there must be clear documentation of mechanisms to avoid scientific and/or budgetary overlap.
- Research institutions must be based in the United States must have nonprofit or academic status.
APPLY TO THE EMERGING SCIENTIST GRANT
PROMISING SCIENTIST GRANT
The goal of the Promising Scientist Grant is to continue supporting awardees of the Emerging Scientist Grant. Trainees are required to work with a mentor to be eligible for this grant. Trainees may work on an ongoing research project conducted by their mentor or begin their own research project with their mentor. Students may pursue their research at their own institution or at another institution. The aim of this award is to fully fund a discrete, self-contained research question that falls within a larger scientific investigation that can be completed within 3-6 months.
- Grant Amount: $25,000
- Project Length: 3-6 months
A full application must be received by the submission deadline that meets all Kids Beating Cancer guidelines and criteria to be accepted and reviewed by the Kids Beating Cancer Scientific Advisory Board.
- Grant Application Deadline: June 2, 2025
- Grant Award Notification: July 1, 2025
- Project Report Deadline: October 31, 2025
- Grant applicant must be a graduate student enrolled in an accredited institution pursuing a master’s degree, PhD, or medical degree or a post-doctoral researcher within two years of receiving their degree.
- Grant applicants must work directly with a mentor.
- Mentors must work in the field of pediatric cancer research in the United States.
- Mentors must submit a letter of support with the grant application.
- Research must be applicable to pediatric cancer.
- Authors must submit original work that has not been previously published; or, if previously submitted abstracts from recent prominent research conferences, such as ASPHO, ASH, ASCO, or AACR, there must be a noted significant change or advancement to the research to be eligible.
- Research institutions must be based in the United States and must have nonprofit or academic status.
APPLY TO THE PROMISING SCIENTIST GRANT
