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The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research

Aspire Award

Up to $250,000 (ASPIRE I) or up to $750,000 (ASPIRE II)12 months or less (ASPIRE I, up to 24 months for clinical studies); 36 months or less (ASPIRE II)

Rolling deadline

Last updated:

No deadline is on file for this call. Check The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research's own call page for the current round's status before you plan around it.

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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.

Details

Funder The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research
Budget Up to $250,000 (ASPIRE I) or up to $750,000 (ASPIRE II)
Duration 12 months or less (ASPIRE I, up to 24 months for clinical studies); 36 months or less (ASPIRE II)
Consortium Optional — collaborations are within scope of the funding mechanism, and co-investigators are permitted
Application Proposals solicited via focused RFPs or by invitation; ASPIRE I typically precedes ASPIRE II
Frequency Continuous

Eligibility & scope

Supports high-risk, high-reward cancer research worldwide spanning basic research, therapeutic discovery/translational science, innovative technologies, and clinical research; principal investigators must be independent researchers; proposals solicited via RFPs or invitation only.

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.

cancer-researchmark-foundationhigh-risk-high-rewardtranslationalbasic-scienceclinical-trialsindependent-researchertechnology-development
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Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.

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