- Guidelines
These research grants are intended to reduce the cancer burden in Maryland, eliminate disparities, and address —whenever possible—breast, prostate, lung, colon, and rectum, others outlined as leading cancers in MD are bladder, lymphoma, kidney, as well as oral, pancreas and leukemia. State priorities eligible for funding are outlined in the new final draft plan 2026–2030 Maryland Comprehensive Cancer Plan: (https://health.maryland.gov/phpa/cancer/Documents/2026%20-%202030%20Maryland%20Cancer%20Plan_FINAL%20DRAFT.pdf). Projects may be basic science, clinical, or population-based research in nature. Implementation science and transdisciplinary cancer prevention and control projects are especially encouraged as are research projects that are matured by an NIH proposal.
Projects may include basic science, clinical, or population-based research. Implementation science and transdisciplinary cancer prevention and control projects are especially encouraged, as are research projects that have been strengthened or matured through an NIH proposal.
We are priority funding new faculty (within three years of appointment on July 1, 2023) and translational research projects from established investigators oriented to the study of issues that affect the SKCCC catchment area (Maryland) and that have the potential to improve outcomes. Some topics that might be considered are:
- Markers of cancer risk
- Cancer burden in Maryland studies
- Evaluation of population exposures to environmental hazards
- Tobacco use cessation
- Implementation science and policy studies
- Studies to optimize outreach to populations in need
- Cancer health equity
- Research examining the nature of a cancer disparity (racial, gender-based, geographical, etc.)
New this year: We are also interested in supporting research projects that are community-informed. The SKCCC Office of Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) is available to connect grantees with the COE’s Community Advisory Groups in Baltimore, Prince George’s County, the Eastern Shore, and Western Maryland. In addition, the SKCCC COE Data Sciences team is available to collaborate with grantees by providing cancer-relevant descriptive data for Maryland, including cancer incidence rates, mortality rates, survival outcomes, prevalence of cancer risk factors, environmental exposures, access-to-care measures, and demographic characteristics. Priority will be given to proposals that:
- collect pilot data as proof of principle or those that are high risk, novel ideas, which have no other source of funding;
- Have strong current or future funding potential but require pilot data to proceed (applications previously submitted to or reviewed by an external funder are a high priority);
- Involve investigators representing at least two of the three categories of cancer research (basic, clinical or population science); or partner with Maryland biotechnology companies.
Average faculty recruitment and retention awards are targeted at $75,000 to 100,000 and translational research projects at $50,000 to $100,000. The number of awards made will depend on the final funds made available by the state for FY27, though at this time we anticipate up to 15 can be funded.
Proposals are due March 22, 2026, and should follow the attached instructions.
Please also let us know if:
- You are interested in receiving community feedback on your research project (either prior to submission or as part of your proposed CRF research grant);
- You grant permission for us to share your research concept with the SKCCC COE Community Advisory Board or Community Advisory Groups; and
- You anticipate needing a Letter of Support from the Office of Community Outreach and Engagement for external grant applications should this CRF pilot award be funded.
Please contact Dr. Sheryl Gabram-Mendola (sgabram1@jh.edu) if interested in any of these additional resources.
We look forward to your interest and participation in the CRF Research grant process.