The Office of Foundation Relations is pleased to share this open call for funding from the Sontag Foundation for brain cancer and brain tumor research.
- UCSC Contact: Caroline Rodriguez | caroline@ucsc.edu
- Funder: Sontag Foundation
- Opportunity: Distinguished Scientist Award
- Deadline: March 18, 2026
Overview
The Sontag Foundation invests in scientists who are committed to advancing scientific discoveries and treatment breakthroughs in the field of brain cancer. Since 2003, the Sontag Foundation has invested over $65 million dollars to support the scientific careers of young investigators pursuing high-risk projects at a critical stage in their research.
Award Amount & Terms
$750,000 — $150,000 per year for a five-year period
- Grant agreements will be issued in October/November of the award year
- The funding period for 2026 grants will begin on or about October 14, 2026 and end on September 30, 2031
- Not more than $19,500 may be allocated annually for facilities and administration charges or indirect costs. This amount is included in the annual payout of $150,000
- During the grant term, grantees are required to attend an annual scientific retreat held in February (all eligible expenses for grantee’s travel, lodging, and meals are covered by the Foundation)
Eligibility
- Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in a discipline with applicability to brain cancer research
- Applicants must have received their first independent faculty appointment no earlier than March 1, 2021 and no later than January 1, 2026 at a tax-exempt academic, research, or medical institution within the United States or an equivalent institution in Canada
- If the institution grants tenure, the qualifying appointment must be on the tenure track
- Applicant’s career track and proposed research should demonstrate outstanding promise as contributors to science relevant to brain cancer research (basic science & related fields encouraged to apply)
- More than one individual from the institution may apply for this award
- This grant does not support clinical trials research
- As a re-applicant, you should submit a new research proposal or clearly outline substantive scientific revisions to the Aims from the previous project
- All documents including letters of recommendation and officer approval must be submitted by the application deadline
See here for a list of Distinguished Sontag Scientists and for FAQs.
Timeline
- March 18, 2026, 8:59pm PT: Application deadline
- Fall, 2026: Funding notification
Special Instructions
Please notify the Office of Foundation Relations if you are interested in applying to this opportunity (fr@ucsc.edu). Please submit a proposal intake form prior to UCSC’s internal Institutional Deadlines. For support developing your proposal, please contact the Research Development Specialist assigned to your unit or send a request to resdev@ucsc.edu.
Call Sent: January 27, 2026
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 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.