# Aspire Award

**Funder:** The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
**Budget:** Up to $250k (ASPIRE I, up to $500k for clinical studies) or up to $750k (ASPIRE II)
**Duration:** Up to 12 months (ASPIRE I, 24 months for clinical studies) or up to 36 months (ASPIRE II)
**Consortium:** Optional — collaborations are within the scope of the funding mechanism; co-investigators are permitted
**Application:** Proposals solicited via focused RFPs, or individual applications considered by invitation; ASPIRE II applications typically follow successful ASPIRE I
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Official call:** https://themarkfoundation.org/aspire/
**Last updated:** 18 Oct 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Supports high-risk, high-reward cancer research projects worldwide spanning basic research, therapeutic discovery/translational science, innovative technologies, and clinical research; principal investigators must be independent researchers at their institutions.

## Summary

The Aspire I Award from the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research funds high-risk, high-reward cancer research up to $250,000 (or up to $500,000 for clinical studies) over 12 to 24 months. The award is open to independent researchers globally working on basic, translational, technology, or early-stage clinical projects. Applications are by invitation or responsive RFP only, there is no open deadline, making timing dependent on the funder's strategic calls.

## Who should apply

- Independent researchers at their institutions (not junior postdocs in supervisors' labs)
- Cancer researchers across basic science, translational, technology, or early-stage clinical domains
- International applicants welcome; worldwide scope
- Teams able to meet clinical protocol approval (for clinical study track)
- Researchers willing to accept revenue-sharing terms on intellectual property

## Key dates

- Applications by invitation or focused RFP only; no open deadline
- Single-stage evaluation following submission
- Up to 12 months funding (up to 24 months for clinical studies)

## Tips for applicants

- This is invitation-or-RFP-only: monitor the Mark Foundation website for strategic RFPs aligned to your research area.
- Indirect costs capped at 10% of direct costs; budget accordingly, this is stricter than many cancer funders.
- Clinical studies must have institutional IRB/ethics approval before funds are released; factor approval timelines into your project start.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much does the Aspire I Award fund?

Up to $250,000 for basic, translational, and technology research; up to $500,000 for clinical studies over 12-24 months.

### Who is eligible for the Aspire I Award?

Independent researchers at their institutions, worldwide, working in cancer research across basic, translational, technology, or early-stage clinical domains.

### How do I apply for the Aspire I Award?

Applications are by invitation or responsive RFP only; there is no open deadline. Monitor the Mark Foundation website for strategic calls.

### What are the indirect cost rules for the Aspire I Award?

Indirect costs are capped at 10% of direct costs. Revenue-sharing terms on intellectual property apply.

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

**See which EU calls match your profile.** [Preview your matches in 30 seconds, no signup](https://grantsby.eu/demo?ref=llm_grant_md&grant=the-mark-foundation-for-cancer-research-aspire-i-award-2026).