Elsa U. Pardee Foundation- Grant for Supporting Innovative Cancer Research

Elsa U. Pardee Foundation- Grant for Supporting Innovative Cancer Research

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Elsa U. Pardee Foundation
Last Updated: October 30, 2025

Summary

The Elsa U. Pardee Foundation has been a pioneer in cancer research funding since 1944, providing over $110 million to more than 300 institutions across the U.S. It supports innovative approaches by both new and established researchers, ensuring diverse ideas receive necessary funding. Additionally, the Foundation addresses immediate financial needs for cancer patients, allocating about one-third of its grants to assist those in need. This dual focus on research and patient support distinguishes the Foundation in the fight against cancer.

Overview

About Elsa U. Pardee Foundation Support for Innovative Cancer Research Elsa U. Pardee Foundation grants are devoted to cancer research with about $110.5 million given to over 300 different institutions across the United States since 1944. Initially, ongoing research programs at well-known cancer institutes such as Memorial Sloan-Kettering took center stage. By the 1950s, however, the Foundation’s trustees recognized a critical oversight: new scientists with cutting-edge ideas were often denied private and government funding simply because they were unknown. The Elsa U. Pardee Foundation boldly broke tradition by considering their grant proposals and funding the most innovative approaches to conquering cancer – a practice which continues to set this Foundation apart. As the proposals grew more complex, the Foundation formed a Medical Committee of specialists to manage the process. Today, the Foundation evaluates more than 300 proposals annually. Financial Support for Cancer Treatment In 1951, Elsa Uhinck Pardee recognized another important need: many people suffering from cancer did not have the money to get adequate medical care without risking financial ruin. Research was important, she argued, but so was meeting the immediate financial needs of cancer patients. Today, about one-third of the Foundation’s grants are made to the Pardee Cancer Treatment Funds, which provide financial assistance to needy cancer patients in Midland and surrounding counties, and in other selected locations. Since 1951, about $36 million in grants has helped thousands of cancer patients seek treatment and support. Elsa U. Pardee Foundation Research Grants The Elsa U. Pardee Foundation funds research to investigators in United States non-profit institutions proposing research directed toward identifying new treatments or cures for cancer. The Foundation funds projects for a one year period which will allow establishment of capabilities of new cancer researchers, or new cancer approaches by established cancer researchers. It is anticipated that this early stage funding by the Foundation may lead to subsequent and expanded support using government agency funding. Project relevance to cancer detection, treatment, or cure should be clearly identified. By design, there are no limits set on the grant amount that can be requested. It must be reasonably and clearly supported by the scope of the project outlined in the application. A final report summarizing financial expenditure and research achievement is required.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Who is eligible to apply?Post-docs who are on the tenure track and have a tenured mentor are eligible.Priority is given to researchers at non-profit institutions in the United States who are new to the field of cancer research, or to established research investigators examining new approaches to cancer cure.Papers verifying nonprofit status and relevant human subject and experimental animal treatment approvals from the recipient institution will be requested prior to project initiation.Projects are supported for one year.

Ineligibility

Applications requesting more than 5% overhead are usually not considered.