Innovation Grants

These grants are designed to provide critical and significant seed funding for experienced investigators with a novel and promising approach to finding causes and cures for childhood cancers. A Letter of Intent is required. The Innovation Award amount totals $250,000 over two years. The Award may not be renewed, however, one no cost extensions are allowable.

Download the 2025 Innovation Grant Full Application Guidelines

Predictive Modeling of MDS Disease Progression From Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome Using Novel Branching Process and Next Generation Sequencing to Improve Patient-Specific Survival

Background
We are learning that an increasing number of pediatric cancers, especially leukemias, have a genetic predisposition. Wouldn't it be great to be able to prevent these life-threatening complications?

Principal Investigator Name:

Seth Corey, MD & Marek Kimmel, PhD

Project Title:

Predictive Modeling of MDS Disease Progression From Inherited Bone Marrow Failure Syndrome Using Novel Branching Process and Next Generation Sequencing to Improve Patient-Specific Survival

Year Awarded:

2017

Cancer Research Category:

Leukemia

Category of Grant:

Innovation Grants

Medical, Nurse Researcher, Quality of LIfe:

Medical

Institution:

Cleveland Clinic Foundation

Genome-Wide 5hmC Profiling of Neuroblastoma Tumors and Patient Cell-Free DNA

Background
Neuroblastoma, a common pediatric cancer, is remarkable for its broad spectrum of clinical behavior. Although some children are highly curable, nearly half of all patients have clinically aggressive tumors.

Principal Investigator Name:

Susan Cohn, MD & Chuan He PhD

Project Title:

Genome-Wide 5hmC Profiling of Neuroblastoma Tumors and Patient Cell-Free DNA

Year Awarded:

2017

Cancer Research Category:

Neuroblastoma

Category of Grant:

Innovation Grants

Medical, Nurse Researcher, Quality of LIfe:

Medical

Institution:

University of Chicago

Targeting Pediatric Brain Tumors Using PTPmu Nanochains with Radiofrequency-Releasable Therapeutics

Background

Principal Investigator Name:

Susann Brady-Kalnay, PhD & Efstathios Karathanasis, PhD

Project Title:

Targeting Pediatric Brain Tumors Using PTPmu Nanochains with Radiofrequency-Releasable Therapeutics

Year Awarded:

2017

Cancer Research Category:

Brain Tumors

Category of Grant:

Innovation Grants

Medical, Nurse Researcher, Quality of LIfe:

Medical

Institution:

Case Western Reserve University

Development of Nanoparticle-Encapsulated Chemo/Radio-Sensitizers for Intrathecal Delivery

Background
Pediatric brain tumors often are treated with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. These treatments are effective but lead to significant late effects on long-term survivors.

Project Goal
We seek to develop a new approach to deliver radio- and chemo-sensitizing agents directly into the spinal cord fluid, where tumor cells often are found and mediate recurrence. This approach will greatly enhance treatment responses, while at the same time minimizing toxicity.