# Clinical Innovator

**Funder:** Cancer Research Institute
**Budget:** Up to $1M per trial
**Deadline:** 1 December 2026 (Protocol Concept deadline; invited full proposals due April 9, 2027; 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** 2-stage: Initial Protocol Concept (Dec 1, 2026) → Invited Full Proposal (Apr 9, 2027)
**Frequency:** Annual
**Official call:** https://www.cancerresearch.org/clinical-innovator
**Last verified:** 5 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Funds investigator-initiated phase I/II or phase II immunotherapy clinical trials led by academic PIs. Open to researchers at medical schools or research centers in the US or abroad; no citizenship restrictions; for-profit institutions ineligible. Emphasis on novel immunotherapy, mechanistic insights, and biomarker discovery. Up to 10% indirect costs provided in addition to award. Co-funding available for chordoma-focused proposals (with Chordoma Foundation).

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Source: [The Great Grantsby](https://grantsby.eu/grants/cancer-research-institute-clinical-innovator-2026-12) — EU grant monitoring for academic researchers. Always verify details on the funder's website before applying.