# Aspire Award

**Funder:** The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
**Budget:** Up to $250k (ASPIRE I); up to $500k for clinical studies (ASPIRE I); up to $750k (ASPIRE II); larger amounts for clinical studies (ASPIRE II)
**Duration:** Up to 12 months (ASPIRE I); up to 36 months (ASPIRE II); up to 24 months for clinical studies (ASPIRE I)
**Consortium:** No
**Application:** Typically starts as ASPIRE I (feasibility/proof-of-concept); successful projects may be invited to apply for ASPIRE II
**Frequency:** Continuous
**Official call:** https://themarkfoundation.org/aspire/
**Last verified:** 5 July 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Supports high-risk, high-reward cancer research worldwide across basic research, therapeutic discovery, innovative technologies, and early-stage clinical trials. PIs must be independent researchers at their institutions. Applications are by invitation or via RFPs; indirect costs capped at 10% of direct costs. Revenue sharing terms apply. Clinical awards require institutional protocol approvals before fund release.

## 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.