Fellowship Grants

Fellowship Grants

Funder: ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation

Focus Area: Supporting outstanding predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers working under expert mentors to develop the next generation of leaders in DIPG/DMG research

Geographic Scope: International

Award Amount: Approximately $200,000-$300,000+ over three years (exact amounts vary; 2024 awards represent ~$260,000 per fellow)

Funding History:

2024: 10 fellowships funded ($2.6M over three years)

2022: 8 fellowships funded ($1.9M)

2022-2024: 20+ fellowships awarded total

Total foundation commitment to all grants (2024): $36 million across 44 institutions

Eligibility:

Outstanding predoctoral researchers (PhD students)

Outstanding postdoctoral researchers (postdocs)

Must be working under guidance of expert mentor

From institutions globally

Mentor Requirements:

Must be established expert in DIPG/DMG research

Provides guidance and training to fellow

Co-mentorship accepted

Research Focus Areas:

All aspects of DIPG/DMG research

CAR T-cell therapy

Tumor biology and origins

Drug development and combinations

Immunotherapy

Molecular and genetic studies

Novel treatment approaches

Review Process:

Applications reviewed by foundation's Scientific Advisory Council

Council composed of leading experts on childhood brain cancer

Rigorous scientific review ensures funding for most promising candidates

Key Features:

Designed to develop next generation of DIPG leaders

Multi-year support allows focused research

Prestige of ChadTough Fellowship enhances researcher's career

Often co-funded with partner foundations

Enables young researchers to establish themselves in DIPG field

Impact Statement:
"Private funding, including those granted by ChadTough Defeat DIPG, are critical for moving the field of DIPG forward. Foundations that specifically fund DIPG research not only enable but encourage researchers to include DIPG as a primary focus of their research." — Dr. Tara Barron, 2021 Fellowship Awardee, Stanford University

Contact Information:

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation

P.O. Box 907, Saline, MI 48176

Phone: (734) 707-8732

Website: chadtough.org

501(c)(3) nonprofit, Federal Tax ID: 47-4041494