You know how breakthroughs often start with a small seed of funding—well, the Rally Foundation Grant Program acts just like that for pediatric cancer research. With $5.5 million invested in 2025 alone, it supports diverse and innovative projects, from postdoctoral studies to consortium collaborations, across 40 institutions worldwide. Yet, the true impact lies in how these grants propel the boundaries on understudied cancers and treatment improvements—making this much more than just another funding opportunity.
Key Takeaways
- Rally Foundation awards up to $50,000 per year for postdoctoral and clinical research fellow grants supporting early-career pediatric cancer researchers.
- Independent Investigator Grants provide up to $50,000 annually for 1-2 years to established researchers leading pediatric cancer studies.
- Consortium Grants offer collaborative projects funding up to $100,000 annually to foster multi-institution pediatric cancer research.
- The application process uses ProposalCentral, with LOI due by September 13, 2024, and full applications by January 6, 2025, for July 1, 2025 project starts.
- Since 2006, Rally has funded over 680 pediatric cancer projects totaling $40.5 million worldwide, emphasizing innovative and under-studied cancer research.
Overview of Rally Foundation Pediatric Cancer Research Grants
Although pediatric cancer treatments have seen little change over decades, the Rally Foundation is investing $5.5 million in 2025 to support 75 researchers across 40 institutions worldwide, accelerating innovative pediatric cancer research.
You can access grant funding through categories such as Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellow, Independent Investigator, Consortium, and Outside the Box Grants, with awards up to $100,000 per year.
Eligible applicants include postdoctoral fellows and investigators at various career stages holding relevant degrees. By adhering to Collaborative Grant Application Guidelines via ProposalCentral, you engage in a strategic effort to drive research innovation that aims to improve childhood cancer outcomes.
Eligibility and Award Categories
You can access the Rally Foundation Grant Program through several distinct award categories, each tailored to different career stages and research approaches.
Grant eligibility includes postdoctoral fellows, clinical research fellows in pediatric hematology/oncology, independent investigators, and consortiums of three or more institutions.
The award categories are:
- Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellow Grants and Independent Investigator Grants, each offering up to $50,000 per year for one or two years.
- Consortium Grants provide up to $100,000 annually for collaborative projects.
- The Outside the Box Grant awards $50,000 for one year with potential for additional funding.
Young Investigators are within five years post-fellowship; Independent Investigators have more experience.
Application Process and Timeline
Grant applications for the Rally Foundation must be submitted electronically via ProposalCentral, where you’ll first complete a Letter of Intent (LOI) between August 12 and September 13, 2024, at 3:30 PM EST.
If invited, you’ll submit your full application from October 31, 2024, to January 6, 2025, at 3:30 PM EST.
Funding decisions are announced in April 2025, with projects starting July 1, 2025.
Adhere to the submission guidelines and application timeline for best results.
- Register or log in to ProposalCentral.
- Submit your LOI by the deadline.
- Await invitation for the full application.
- Follow all submission guidelines and application timeline.
Impact of Research Fellow and Investigator Grants
Early-career researchers and seasoned investigators funded by the Rally Foundation drive pediatric cancer innovation by focusing on under-studied cancer types, quality of life studies, and novel treatment strategies.
The funding impact is significant: since 2006, Rally has supported 597 projects with $35 million dedicated to childhood cancer research, empowering you to challenge existing paradigms and pursue breakthroughs.
In 2025 alone, $5.5 million was awarded to 75 researchers, marking the foundation’s largest grant distribution.
This researcher empowerment fosters innovative, high-impact studies that improve treatments and patient outcomes in pediatric oncology.
Collaborative Pediatric Cancer Research Awards Program
Building on this momentum of individual researcher empowerment, the Rally Foundation amplifies its impact through the Collaborative Pediatric Cancer Research Awards Program, a joint initiative uniting multiple US-based charities—including Rally, Arms Wide Open Childhood Cancer Foundation, Kids Join The Fight, The Truth 365, and Infinite Love for Kids Fighting Cancer—to coordinate funding efforts and streamline the grant application process.
You’ll access collaboration benefits through:
- Consortium grants up to $100,000 annually for three or more institutions collaborating on research
- Research innovation funding targeting under-studied cancer types and personalized treatment approaches
- Streamlined ProposalCentral submissions eliminating redundant applications across organizations
- Co-funding opportunities maximizing resources while reducing administrative burden on institutions
This coordinated approach strengthens pediatric cancer research by pooling expertise and accelerating discoveries that improve childhood cancer outcomes.
How to Support and Get Involved With Rally Foundation
What can you do to support Rally Foundation’s mission?
You’ve got multiple donation opportunities to make a real impact. Contribute directly through monetary gifts, or fundraise within your network.
Participate in community involvement events like the #RallyFit47 Challenge, Rally On the Runway, and Rally Benefit Bash. You can also volunteer your time and skills.
Donate in lieu of gifts for special occasions, maximizing your contribution’s significance. Remember, 93 cents of every dollar goes directly toward research funding.
Stay connected through Rally’s blog and calendar for upcoming initiatives. Your involvement directly advances pediatric cancer research and brings families closer to better treatments and potential cures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Apply if My Fellowship Ends Before the Grant Starts?
You’ll need to check specific fellowship timing requirements for your grant type. Some programs require active fellowships during the grant period, while independent investigator grants don’t. Review your grant category’s eligibility guidelines carefully for fellowship timing details.
Are International Researchers Eligible for Rally Fellow Grants?
You’re absolutely breaking geographical barriers—yes, you can apply as an international researcher! Rally doesn’t restrict principal investigators by citizenship or institutional location, though fellowship eligibility and grant restrictions vary by specific award type.
Can I Receive More Than One Rally Grant at a Time?
You cannot receive multiple Rally grants simultaneously due to funding limits and overlap restrictions. Rally supports one active grant per project to maintain compliance with budgetary and funding policies. Request additional funding only after current grant completion.
Is Indirect Cost Funding Allowed in Rally Grants?
You cannot include indirect costs in Rally grants because indirect cost funding is not eligible. Their funding explicitly excludes indirect costs, so you must budget only for direct project expenses to meet funding eligibility requirements.
Can I Reapply if My Grant Application Was Not Funded?
You’ve got a million chances to reapply! Yes, you can resubmit your application in future grant cycles. The grant reapplication process requires you to address funding criteria clarification, strengthen your proposal, and demonstrate how you’ll meet reviewers’ expectations better next time.
Conclusion
You’re investing in transformative pediatric cancer research when you support Rally Foundation. Since 2006, they’ve awarded $40.5 million across 683 projects worldwide, demonstrating remarkable commitment to early-stage discovery. With 2025’s record $5.5 million distributed to 75 researchers, you’re directly enabling innovative approaches to under-studied cancers. Your involvement—whether through grants, donations, or advocacy—accelerates breakthroughs that turn survival statistics into thriving futures for children battling cancer.