What We Fund

Grants/Fellowship Program: Supporting Cutting-Edge Pediatric Cancer Research

Hope Street Kids envisions a world without childhood cancer. To achieve this goal, Hope Street Kids sustains both public and private research efforts through fundraising initiatives, and provides leadership in encouraging new and innovative research investigations. Hope Street Kids is dedicated to translating the latest scientific breakthroughs into effective treatment and prevention strategies to improve the quality of life for all children. This diligent effort will continue until current and future advances in cancer treatment and prevention produce the HOPE for a new generation of cancer-free children and adults.

Each year, members of the distinguished Hope Street Kids' Scientific Advisory Council review research proposals through a peer-review grant process that is accepted by the National Institutes of Health. Members of the Council are drawn from outstanding institutions such as the National Cancer Institute, John Hopkins Hospital, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, James Whitcomb Riley Hospital for Children, Oregon Health Sciences University, Texas Children's Cancer Center, Ohio Children's Hospital and St. Louis Children's Hospital. The Council will select research proposals that demonstrate enormous promise. Grants and fellowships will be awarded to researchers in academic medical centers across the country.

Program Goals and Scope

The purpose of the HSK research program is to encourage and provide early support for young investigators that have innovative ideas and approaches to treatment, diagnosis, prevention or intervention of pediatric cancer. The HSK program is intended to support and promote the career development and mentorship of its awardees in hopes that they will potentially go on to receive advanced studies or clinical trials funding through institutions such as NCI - RO1's, NIH - KO8's or COG funding.

Grant proposals will be considered in the following categories:

1. Basic, translational, clinical and applied research projects and fellowships focused on pediatric cancers, especially solid tumors.
2. Pediatric pain management associated with cancer and treatment.
3. Behavioral and psychosocial intervention programs associated with pediatric cancer and treatment.

Priority is given in the following areas:

1. Focus on pediatric cancers, especially solid tumors.
2. Post-doctoral fellowships for pediatric cancer research.
3. Grants for faculty development in pediatric cancer research at the instructor or assistant professor level.
4. Creative or innovative approaches to pediatric cancer research, which could potentially become advanced studies or clinical trials with initial seed support.

Award Categories

Research and Educational Grants
Grants up to $40,000 per year will be awarded. Each applicant may request up to two years of support, not to exceed a maximum of $40,000 per year. Please note that not all grants are awarded for the full amount or the full two years. If awarded a grant for two years, funding for the second year will be contingent upon a satisfactory progress report submitted at the end of the first year. The goal of the Hope Street Kids research program is to provide seed funding for innovative projects expected to lead to future funding from other peer-reviewed sources.

Research Fellowships
Fellowships up to $40,000 per year will be awarded. Each applicant may request up to two years of support, not to exceed a maximum of $40,000 per year. If awarded a grant for two years, funding for the second year will be contingent upon a satisfactory progress report submitted at the end of the first year. Fellowship support should be requested by a Principal Investigator who applies on behalf of a designated candidate. Funding for fellowships will be given at the post-doctoral level. Salary support for individuals above or below that level of experience/training should be part of a grant rather than a fellowship application.