PCRF: Donor Designated Grant Programs

PCRF: Donor Designated Grant Programs

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
Last Updated: January 16, 2026

Summary

The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) offers Donor Designated Grant Programs aimed at funding innovative projects addressing childhood cancer. These grants support researchers dedicated to finding cures, enhancing treatment, and improving care. With an annual commitment to extraordinary researchers, PCRF ensures funds are directed towards promising advances in prevention and treatment. Since 1982, PCRF has raised over $51 million, significantly impacting survival rates and striving to eliminate childhood cancer through collaborative efforts and cutting-edge research.

Overview

NOTE: A Letter of Intent is required in order to be invited to submit a grant application. About PCRF The Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation identifies and invests in leading-edge research that demonstrates the best hope for curing childhood cancer. PCRF invites you to walk with us as we vigorously pursue eliminating childhood cancer through research. An average of 43 children and adolescents are diagnosed with cancer every day in the United States (almost 16,000 annually) and that number is dramatically compounded when we look worldwide: nearly 250,000 new cases of cancer affect children annually, or 700 new children affected every day around the globe (The Lancet Oncology. 2013; 14(3): e95-e103). As evidenced by these numbers, pediatric cancer is not rare – in fact, it remains the number one disease killer of all children. More children die from cancer than pediatric AIDS, asthma, diabetes, cystic fibrosis, and congenital anomalies combined (Cancer in Children and Adolescents). Time will not stand still as we search for a cure, which means we must work quickly, strategically, diligently, and in collaboration to combat childhood cancer. We thank you for your partnership and contributions that help give hope to children and families. Founded in 1982 by physicians, parents, and community leaders, Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (PCRF) has raised over $51 Million for cancer research since its inception. This represents the ongoing hard work of physicians, researchers, volunteers, staff, and community partners dedicated to our future generation’s health—our children. Over the last 40 years, we have seen drastic improvements – overall survival rates for childhood cancer have risen from 10% to almost 85%. Because of research, the cancer death rate has dropped more dramatically for children than for any other age group. However, there are still childhood cancers that have not had the same results – rare and aggressive cancers continue to devastate families and rob children of their childhoods. Together, we’ve made considerable strides in the treatment, care, and prevention of childhood cancers. However, as we look back and celebrate our progress, we also look forward – knowing there is more work to be done. PCRF is a pioneer in eliminating childhood cancer through our ability to identify and fund cutting-edge research. We exclusively target funds toward emerging and breakthrough opportunities. Your partnership with PCRF powers hopeful advancements: Hope for a cure, hope for aggressive treatments that attack cancer cells but leave the healthy cells, hope for long-term quality of life through safer therapies to fight cancer. Hope for new research, new protocols, new interventions. Background At PCRF, we are unique in our approach to funding childhood cancer research — working directly with doctors, researchers, and nurses to identify the specific challenges they face in bringing new treatments to and caring for children with cancer. Our careful distribution of grants has allowed doctors and nurses to speed up the process of bringing the latest and most promising life-saving treatments to seriously ill children. The result is bringing hope to childhood cancer patients now and in the future. Donor Designated Grant Programs These grants fund projects in communities or regions local to the specific donor or fundraising activity. Outside contributing organizations, fundraisers and donors work with the Foundation to identify a specific project and/or specific doctor, focus on a specific disease type, facility or awareness program. Grants can be for any specific amount as designated by the donor or contributing organization.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. PCRF awards grants annually to extraordinary researchers offering the best hope for a cure to childhood cancer. Grant Criteria: The probability of an advance in prevention, diagnosis or treatment for the near-term The novelty of the concept and strategy The clarity of presentation The overall plan for bringing the research findings to clinical application Experience, background, and qualifications of the investigators Adequacy of resources and environment (Facilities, patients, etc.) Funds awarded shall be used solely for the purposes specified in the application submitted for consideration and in strict compliance with the budget submitted with the application. PCRF is not responsible if for any reason funds are expended at an amount in excess of the awarded Grant amount. It will be the responsibility of the sponsoring institution to make restitution to PCRF for any remaining funds in the event of transfer or premature termination of the grant. If a Primary Investigator grantee transfers or terminates from his sponsoring institution during the course of the Grant award period, the Grant will immediately terminate, and can be only be transferred to another institution with the written approval of PCRF’s Scientific Committee and Board of Directors. Should the Grantee sell, license, or transfer the technology or intellectual property developed under this Grant, PCRF shall be entitled to 30% of the compensation paid to the Grantee organization as a result of the sale, license, or transfer. The designation “Supported by a research grant from the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation” shall be used in all related research publications during the period of the grant. “Support by the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation” should also be stated in any news releases about the grantee or grantee’s project by the public relations department or its equivalent at the sponsoring institution. In the event the grantee desires to transfer to another institution while the grant is in effect, continuation of the funding at the new institution may be allowed with the prior written approval of PCRF’s Scientific Committee and Board of Directors. To obtain permission for relocation, the grantee must request a transfer from PCRF 30 days prior to the projected move. The decision to approve the transfer will be at the sole discretion of PCRF and will be dependent upon several factors including acceptance by the new sponsoring institution and convincing evidence that the new environment and collaborations will permit successful pursuit of the research. A final accounting of all disbursements of the Grant funds by the original institution through the proposed day of transfer will also be required. All grantees will be required to submit periodic progress reports as defined in the Letter of Agreement.

Ineligibility

No indirect costs will be funded.