The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from the Cancer Research Institute.
UCSC Contact: Samantha Forde forde@ucsc.edu
Funder: Cancer Research Institute
Opportunity: CRI Technology Impact Award
LOI Deadline: November 15, 2025
Overview
The CRI Technology Impact Award is designed to support early-stage, pre-development concepts that hold the potential to transform cancer immunotherapy. The Technology Impact Award aims to bridge the gap between conceptual technological innovation and real-world clinical application. Awards are not intended to fund the continuation or refinement of existing technologies. Instead, they support visionary, high-risk/high-reward ideas that could lay the groundwork for a new generation of tools, platforms, and systems capable of overcoming the most critical barriers in the field. Technologies may include:
- Computational systems biology approaches
- Advanced cancer (or molecular) profiling technologies
- Real-time visualization technologies
- Complex multicellular culture systems
- Novel therapeutic technologies
For further information on CRI Technology Impact Award please consult the list of FAQs.
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a tenure-track position at a not for profit research center or institution.
- Clinical cancer immunologists and technology developers are encouraged to collaborate.
- Co-PIs are eligible and encouraged to apply.
Award Amount & Terms
- Seed funding of up to $600,000 over 2-4 years
- Indirect costs of up to 10%, in addition to awarded funds
Timeline
- November 15, 2025, 8:59pm PT LOI Deadline Mid February 2026 Notification March 1, 2026, 8:59pm PT If invited full proposal due
- July 1, 2026 Earliest award start date
Special instructions
Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (fr@ucsc.edu). For support developing your proposal, please contact the Research Development Specialist or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu.
Call sent: October 23, 2025
The Office of Foundation Relations is a unit of University Advancement. The FR team creates and maintains mutually beneficial, long-term relationships with private organizations, matching grant initiatives with educational and research programs and centers. FR supports faculty and staff to identify and approach these and other private foundations and corporations for funding, to assist in strategic positioning of the grant application, and to facilitate funder campus visits. For a list of recent funding opportunities, please visit the FR website: FR Calls for Funding.