This grant is being offered on behalf of the Susan G. Komen-Inflammatory Breast Cancer Research Foundation IBC Collaborative in partnership with the Milburn Foundation, building on a longstanding collaboration aimed at accelerating IBC research and improving outcomes for people with IBC. This is a limited submission opportunity. Each institution may submit ONE nominee to apply for this funding opportunity. Applicants/PIs cannot self-nominate. 

Although IBC has been recognized as a distinct form of breast cancer for over a century, its etiology and underlying biological mechanisms remain poorly understood. Consequently, no validated, widely adopted IBC-specific biomarkers or targeted therapies exist, and current management is largely informed by evidence from non-IBC breast cancer. This limited understanding of IBC biology remains a significant barrier to the development of more precise diagnostic and therapeutic approaches, highlighting the need for research focused on the unique, biological mechanisms driving the disease. Therefore, the goal of the Inflammatory Breast Cancer (IBC) Research Grant is to support innovative, hypothesis-driven research that advances our understanding of the biological underpinnings of IBC and opens new avenues of investigation into the disease. 

This solicitation seeks translational research project proposals for an upcoming NCI Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant in Thoracic Cancer at Johns Hopkins SKCCC, with a submission date in September 2027. SPORE grants target interdisciplinary translational cancer research and involve both basic and clinical/applied scientists, supporting projects that will result in new approaches to the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human cancers. (PAR-23-284: Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPOREs) in Human Cancers for Years 2024, 2025, and 2026 (P50 Clinical Trial Required))*

The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award supports independent young physician-scientists conducting disease-oriented research that demonstrates a high level of innovation and creativity. The goal is to support the best young physician-scientists doing work aimed at improving the practice of cancer medicine. The awardee will receive financial support for three years, as well as assistance with certain research costs such as the purchase of equipment. The Foundation will also retire up to $100,000 of any medical school debt still owed by the awardee. The Clinical Investigator Award program is specifically intended to provide outstanding young physicians with the resources essential to becoming successful investigators. The goal is to increase the number of physicians capable of moving seamlessly between the laboratory and the patient’s bedside in search of breakthrough treatments.

The Johns Hopkins University SKCCC has been invited to nominate one investigator for the NCCN 2027 YIA Program. Through its YIA Program, the NCCN Foundation invites proposals from young investigators with innovative ideas and an interest in improving the quality, effectiveness, equity, and accessibility of care provided to patients with cancer. A primary focus of the NCCN Foundation YIA Program is to identify and fund top investigators in the early stages of their careers interested in participating and contributing to cancer research.

Johns Hopkins has been invited to nominate two individuals to submit LOIs for this opportunity. We exist because kids deserve better. Too many promising ideas in pediatric cancer research go unfunded due to limited institutional support, lack of commercial incentive, and minimal government investment, especially for rare and relapsed cancers. At SebastianStrong, we focus exclusively on childhood cancers, where small patient populations often mean traditional funders and pharmaceutical companies overlook research. First, Letters of Intent (LOIs) are evaluated to identify projects that best align with our mission and funding priorities. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full proposal, which is reviewed in detail to determine final award decisions. Funding recommendations are made by the Scientific Advisory Board and approved by the Foundation’s Board of Directors. SebastianStrong funds one or more proposals each year that advance meaningful change in pediatric cancer treatment. We are especially interested in research that: 

• Focuses on pediatric cancers with low survival rates or high relapse rates
• Has strong translational potential within 36 months
• Pursues underfunded or unconventional approaches that could change the status quo