The Fanconi Cancer Foundation (FCF) and the American Cancer Society (ACS) have opened the 2026 application cycle for the ACS-Fanconi Cancer Foundation Discovery Boost Grant.
Through this partnership, FCF and ACS are inviting proposals for translational cancer research that addresses the unique challenges faced by people with Fanconi anemia (FA). The grant is designed to advance promising ideas with the potential to improve how cancers in people with FA are detected, prevented or treated.
Scientific scope
Proposed research must be directly applicable to FA-associated cancers, particularly cancers influenced by defects in the FA/BRCA DNA repair pathway. Applications should clearly explain how the work could advance FA cancer research and ultimately benefit people with FA.
Applications are welcome from established FA investigators as well as researchers in related areas of cancer biology who want to apply their expertise to FA. Researchers who are new to the field should demonstrate a clear connection between their proposed work and the grant’s priorities.
Areas of interest include, but aren’t limited to:
- Early detection technologies and biomarkers for FA-related squamous cell carcinomas
- Mechanisms or interventions to prevent FA-related tumors
- Therapeutic strategies tailored to the sensitivity of people with FA to DNA-damaging agents
- New models for studying FA tumor development and treatment response
- High-throughput or systems biology approaches to identify cancer vulnerabilities specific to FA
Preference will be given to projects with a clear path toward clinical application, including collaborations with clinicians, diagnostic developers or pharmaceutical partners.
Both new applications and resubmissions from the previous application cycle will be accepted.
Eligibility
Applicants typically must:
- Work at a U.S. academic institution or eligible nonprofit organization
- Be an independent investigator at any career stage
- Hold a full-time faculty appointment or equivalent position
Applicants should review the complete grant policies and instructions before applying. Applications that don’t align with the scientific scope of the funding opportunity will be returned without review.
Term and budget
Awards provide up to $135,000 in direct costs per year for up to two years, plus 10% in indirect costs. The maximum allowable budget is $297,000 for a two-year project.
Key dates
- Application deadline: Dec. 1, 2026
- Application review: March 2027
- Anticipated award notification: August 2027
- Anticipated grant start date: Oct. 1, 2027
Why this matters
People with FA face an extraordinarily high risk of cancer and can be especially vulnerable to the effects of standard cancer treatments. Progress requires research designed around their specific biology and medical needs.
This partnership combines FCF’s deep knowledge of FA research and community priorities with ACS’s scientific reach and grant-review infrastructure. It also creates an opportunity to bring new investigators and approaches into the FA field while advancing research with a clear path toward better cancer care.
Learn more and apply
Applications are now open. Researchers can review the complete funding opportunity, eligibility requirements, policies and application instructions on the American Cancer Society website.
Questions about the grant may be directed to Doug Hurst, PhD, at doug.hurst@cancer.org.
