RFA: Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund Research Grants

The Maryland Department of Health's Center for Cancer Prevention and Control is soliciting applications for pediatric cancer research grants under the Maryland Pediatric Cancer Fund, with a mandatory pre-proposal conference on December 14, 2026, written questions due January 22, 2027, and applications due January 29, 2027 through eMaryland Marketplace Advantage (eMMA). Eligibility is limited to nonprofit hospitals, educational institutions, 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organizations, and state or local government agencies and public colleges or universities that conduct pediatric cancer research in Maryland. Research must be conducted in Maryland. Unfunded collaborations with out-of-state investigators are permitted, but subcontracts to Children's National Hospital may be budgeted only for patient enrollment support and data use.

MDH intends to make up to 12 awards of no more than $200,000 per year for two years, with an anticipated start date of July 1, 2027. Funding supports applied, basic, clinical, community-based participatory, and translational research on cancers in children and adolescents up to age 20. Each applicant organization may submit up to nine applications, each designating a Contact Principal Investigator. The grant is structured as a fixed-price contract, and institutional indirect costs are not permitted. Budget categories may include personnel, consultants, travel, contractual services, supplies, and other operating costs. Applicants submit Volume I (Project Narrative, including a transmittal letter, scope of work documenting mandatory requirements, tax-exempt documentation, scientific and lay summaries, a five-page research plan, collaborations, references, and team biosketches) and Volume II (Budget with Narrative).

Required insurance includes $1 million commercial general liability, $1 million professional liability per claim, $1 million crime per loss, $5 million cyber and data breach per claim, and $1 million workers' compensation per occurrence. Grantees submit interim reports at the end of year one and final reports at the end of year two, and failure to submit final reports bars future Fund funding. A no-cost extension of up to one year may be requested in writing before the grant period ends, subject to MDH approval based on Commission recommendations.

Primary reviewers score applications on a 1-9 scale (1=Exceptional, 9=Poor) for significance, innovation, feasibility, team expertise, and other scientific criteria. The Maryland Pediatric Cancer Research Commission conducts secondary review for final ranking and funding decisions.