The Office of Foundations Relations is pleased to share two open calls for funding from the American Cancer Society.
- UCSC Contact: Samantha Forde | forde@ucsc.edu
- Funder: American Cancer Society
- Program 1: Research Scholars Grants
- Program 2: Mission Boost Grants
- Deadline: June 1, 2026
1. Research Scholars Grants
Research Scholar Grants (RSG) provide support for independent, self-directed researchers. Grant proposals may pursue questions across the cancer research continuum, as long as they fit within an American Cancer Society (ACS) priority research area:
- Etiology (causes of cancer)
- Obesity/Healthy Eating and Active Living (HEAL)
- Screening and Diagnosis
- Treatment
- Survivorship
- Health Equity Across the Cancer Continuum
Eligibility
- PI on NO MORE than 1 R01 or R01-equivalent grant at the time of application (An R01-equivalent grant is defined by ACS as an award that is more than $100k direct costs per year for more than 3 years)
- For new RSG applications – Were first appointed as independent, full-time faculty (or equivalent position) LESS than or equal to 8 years ago
- Please contact the ACS Program Office regarding resubmissions
Award and Terms
- Funding up to $215,000 per year (direct costs), plus 10% allowable indirect costs
- Project period up to four years
2. Mission Boost Grants
Mission Boost Grants (MBG) support research projects that specifically focus on translation to human testing. MBGs are opportunities for independent investigators at all levels to apply for additional, or “boost,” resources for innovative, clinical-enabling projects.
- MBG Stage I requires the investigator to develop outcome-specific, unequivocal milestones that reduce the risks of studying a new drug, device, or procedure in patients.
- MBG Stage II supports testing in cancer patients.
Eligibility
Stage I Mission Boost
- Independent investigator with a full-time faculty appointment (or equivalent). Applicants may be at any career stage
- Applicants may submit only one MBG I or MBG II application per cycle, and applicants may not submit RSG, DBG, or CSDG applications in the same cycle as a MBG submission.
Stage II Mission Boost
- Independent investigator with a full-time faculty appointment (or equivalent). Applicants may be at any career stage
- Previously held or currently hold a Stage I Mission Boost Grant for a minimum of 18 months AND have completed Stage I milestones
- Applicants may submit only one MBG I or MBG II application per cycle, and applicants may not submit RSG, DBG, or CSDG applications in the same cycle as a MBG submission.
Award and Terms
Stage I Mission Boost
- up to 2 years
- allowable budget of $135,000 per year direct costs, plus 10% allowable indirect costs for $297,000 allowable total costs.
Stage II Mission Boost
- up to 18 months
- allowable budget up to $545,000 direct costs plus 10% allowable indirect costs
Please see all grant instructions here.
Timeline
June 1, 2026 Proposals due
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 send a request to the Office of Research Development, resdev@ucsc.edu.
Call sent: April 24, 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.