# TXBT and Beyond ASPIRE Awards

**Funder:** The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
**Budget:** Up to $250,000 (ASPIRE I) or up to $750,000 (ASPIRE II); up to $500,000 for clinical studies
**Duration:** Up to 12 months (ASPIRE I) or up to 36 months (ASPIRE II)
**Consortium:** Optional — collaborations are within the scope of the funding mechanism; co-investigators are permitted
**Official call:** https://themarkfoundation.org/tbxt-and-beyond-aspire-awards-request-for-proposals/
**Last updated:** 1 Nov 2026

## Eligibility & scope

Joint RFP with the Chordoma Foundation to accelerate development of new strategies targeting the chordoma surfaceome. Open to independent researchers worldwide; supports basic, translational, technology, or clinical research projects.

## Summary

The TXBT and Beyond ASPIRE Awards, a joint RFP from the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research and the Chordoma Foundation, fund research developing new strategies that target the chordoma surfaceome. Independent researchers worldwide can apply for ASPIRE I (up to $250,000 over 12 months) or ASPIRE II (up to $750,000 over 36 months), covering basic, translational, technology, or clinical research, with clinical studies capped at $500,000.

## Who should apply

- Independent researchers worldwide, any career stage
- Labs working on chordoma or surfaceome-targeting strategies
- Basic, translational, technology, or clinical research projects
- Teams proposing clinical studies (capped at $500,000)
- Applicants open to optional collaborations or co-investigators

## Key dates

- Two funding tracks: ASPIRE I (up to 12 months) and ASPIRE II (up to 36 months)

## Tips for applicants

- Frame the project explicitly around the chordoma surfaceome, this is a joint RFP with the Chordoma Foundation, so proposals outside that focus are a poor fit.
- Match project scope to track: ASPIRE I suits shorter, focused studies while ASPIRE II supports multi-year programs including clinical work.
- If proposing a clinical study, note the $500,000 cap explicitly in your budget justification since it differs from the general ASPIRE II ceiling.

## Frequently asked questions

### How much funding does the ASPIRE Award provide?

ASPIRE I awards up to $250,000 over 12 months, ASPIRE II awards up to $750,000 over 36 months, and clinical studies are capped at $500,000.

### Who is eligible for the TXBT and Beyond ASPIRE Awards?

Independent researchers anywhere in the world working on chordoma surfaceome-targeting strategies are eligible.

### What type of research does this grant fund?

It funds basic, translational, technology, or clinical research aimed at new strategies targeting the chordoma surfaceome.

### Is collaboration required for the ASPIRE Awards?

No, collaborations and co-investigators are optional and permitted but not required.

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

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