Please find separate descriptions for the two mechanisms below. Eligibility and objectives are different. 

Translational Grant Objectives:

Translational research is a critical part of the research continuum, advancing basic laboratory discoveries toward clinical application to improve human health. This grant supports adult cancer research in the preclinical or translational space, with a focus on bench-to-bedside strategies. Research on any adult cancer type is eligible. Applicants may propose projects that:

• Move a novel strategy from the laboratory into a human clinical trial, or

• Use specimens from a clinical trial to test hypotheses, develop biomarkers, or establish mechanisms.

The research must apply in a direct way to human beings within 3 years of the grant’s completion. If biomarker research is undertaken, a validation set or independent clinical trial is essential. Proposals must include a plan for biomarker validation, if applicable. The endpoint of the project should be the planning or initiation of a new clinical trial or conducting an investigator-initiated trial with laboratory correlates that test hypotheses. Research areas not included in this scope are epidemiology, behavioral science, and health services research.

Translational Eligibility:

• Nominated by their Cancer Center Director (done through this internal solicitation) 
• Hold a full-time faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor (or Assistant Professor-equivalent) level or above. Non-promotable, adjunct, affiliated, temporary, part-time, or acting faculty positions are not eligible for PI nomination.
• Must be either a US Citizen or have a legal permit (temporary or permanent) to work in the US. This requirement does not apply to invited Canadian institutions. 

V Scholar Grant Objectives:

This V Scholar grant supports tenure-track faculty in the early stages of their cancer research careers by funding laboratory-based fundamental research or translational projects in any area of adult cancer research. This grant mechanism is designed to advance exceptional early-career investigators at the Assistant Professor level, positioning them to successfully compete for larger, sustaining grants such as R01s. Research areas not included within this scope are epidemiology, behavioral science, and health services research.

V Scholar Eligibility:

• Be nominated by their Cancer Center Director or another senior research official.
• Must be either a US Citizen or have a legal permit (temporary or permanent) to work in the US. This requirement does not apply to invited Canadian institutions. 
• Have completed at least two years postdoctoral (MD or PhD) fellowship training. For MDs, a minimum of one year is acceptable if one year is standard for their specialty.
• Clinical scientists must have full institutional support (e.g., dedicated lab space, protected research time, start-up funds).
• Hold a full-time, tenure-track or tenured faculty position (e.g., eligible to apply as PI on an R01 at their institution). Non-promotable adjunct, affiliated, temporary, part-time, or acting faculty positions are not eligible.
• Have been appointed to their first full-time, tenure-track Assistant Professor position within five years of the nomination due date and not yet promoted to Associate Professor.

V Scholar Exclusions: 

• NOT be a previous or current V Scholar Award recipient.
• NOT have accepted or received notification of an R01 or R01-equivalent award.
• NOT have accepted or received notification of any peer-reviewed, non-mentored single grant totaling $750K or more in total direct funding at ANY point in their professional career (exclude indirect costs and institutional funds.)
• NOT have accepted or received notification of any peer-reviewed, non-mentored funding exceeding $1M in aggregate total direct funding at ANY point in their professional career (exclude indirect costs and institutional funds.)

Note: The V Scholar Award is intended to support investigators as they establish their research programs and position themselves to compete for larger, sustaining awards. Therefore, nominees who have already received such awards are not eligible.

Funding (same for both grant types):

• The total grant award is $800,000 over four years, with annual payments of $200,000. This amount includes both direct and indirect costs. Indirect costs are allowed up to 10% of total grant amount.

• The V Foundation follows NIH salary cap guidelines. Institutions may supplement a grant recipient’s salary with institutional funds, if desired.

Internal Application Requirements: 

1. Cover Page: PI Name, Project Title, Key Words, Grants & Contracts Name and Email
2. Biosketch
3. 3-page proposal (including illustrations; references can be separate) 
4. 1-page biostatistical or bioinformatics plan
5. Financial Sheet – Required for V Scholar only, in addition to the four other items!

A budget is not required for internal review process. 

Registration Opens 12/12/2025 Registration Closes 01/18/2026

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Contact Caitlin Campbell
ccampb52@jhmi.edu