TargetCancer Foundation Research Grants Program

TargetCancer Foundation Research Grants Program

Mission: Fund innovative rare cancer research to accelerate progress towards effective treatments for patients facing rare cancers.

Geographic Scope: United States (primarily Boston/Massachusetts area institutions)

Total Investment: Over $2 million in multi-year commitments since 2009

Focus Areas

While TargetCancer Foundation does not focus on any one specific rare cancer, they tackle common challenges shared across all rare cancers. Current focus areas include:

#### Cholangiocarcinoma Research

Long-term commitment to the Bardeesy Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center

Support for Cholangiocarcinoma Cell Line Bank

Targeted investments in driver mutation research

Research into IDH mutations and FGFR2 gene alterations

Clinical trial support

Investment over $1 million since 2011

#### Esophageal Cancer Research

Research at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (primarily Dr. Adam Bass's work)

Genomic studies, immunotherapy effectiveness studies

Research models addressing chromosomal instability

Investment over $235,000 since 2012

#### Collaborative Research Initiatives

International collaborations with AMMF: The Cholangiocarcinoma Charity (UK), The Bili Project Foundation, and The Cholangiocarcinoma Foundation

Co-funding arrangements with Conquer Cancer Foundation

Funding Categories

Research Grants: Multi-year commitments ranging from $50,000 to $125,000+ per award

Patient Assistance Fund: Direct funding to patients enrolling in clinical trials to cover expenses

Young Investigator Awards: Support for early-stage investigators (through partnerships like Conquer Cancer Foundation)

Institutions Supported

• Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
• Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
• Harvard Medical School

Past Funding Initiatives

• Center for Molecular Therapeutics at Massachusetts General Hospital (first grant $7,500 in 2009)
• TCF Medical Student Research Fund at Harvard Medical School

Eligibility

• Academic research institutions
• PhD and MD researchers
• Early-stage through established investigators
• Focus on rare cancer research

Contact Information

Phone: 617-765-4881 Email: [email protected] Address: TargetCancer Foundation, Cambridge, MA