Established by the family of Jennifer L. Brager, this award is intended to encourage cancer research by healthcare employees (excluding MD/PhD/equivalent) within any division of the Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center. The research projects are reviewed by a committee of Johns Hopkins Kimmel Cancer Center faculty and staff, and the recipient is selected based on the quality of their proposal.

The Department of Oncology is soliciting applications for the MacMillan Pathway to Independence Program (MPIP). The program intends to support the training and development of MDs and MD/PhDs who are committed to a deeper mentored training experience as laboratory-based and/or translational career physician-scientists. For the 2026 funding period which starts July 1, 2026, 2-3 awards are expected. Grants will be renewable for a second year pending review of a progress report. The expectation is that these applications will formulate the basis of a career development award submission, ideally an NIH K-grant or similar application. 

We are pleased to report that the Maryland Legislature FY2027 budget includes the continuation of the Maryland Cigarette Restitution Fund (CRF) research grant to Johns Hopkins. Although the legislative session is still in its early stages, this represents encouraging progress, in a better position than last year. The General Assembly is expected to pass the FY2027 budget by the end of March, at which point we will receive final confirmation of CRF research funding. If reductions are made to the FY27 award by the State, at any point in the year, these cuts will be passed along to the awardees. Pending the Governor’s signature, awarded funds will support projects from July 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027. Because CRF funding is administered through an annual State of Maryland contract, an accelerated review and funding timeline is required.

We are soliciting research proposals to support a new cycle of the Commonwealth grant pilot projects. Commonwealth funding has been instrumental in supporting some of our most novel and impactful work as well as providing critical support to our shared research infrastructure. Specifically, we are seeking proposals for ambitious one-year team-based translational projects with the potential to impact cancer management. We anticipate being able to fund up to 10 projects for this period. Details of the solicitation can be found below.