Best Grants for Cancer Nonprofits in Wisconsin

Interdisciplinary faculty teams at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in Wisconsin can apply for University of Wisconsin Madison’s Collaborative Health Sciences Program, with awards up to US $600,000 over three years, to advance innovative research or education improving health, health care, or health equity. Cancer and oncology projects may be eligible.

Postdoctoral trainees, fellows, clinical fellows, and research associates at the UW School of Medicine and Public Health in Wisconsin can apply for University of Wisconsin Madison’s Postdoctoral Grant Program, with awards up to US $20,000 for a one-year project or activity. Funding supports research, education, or professional development that improves health, health care, or health equity, including cancer-related work.

Focused on cancer and other serious health conditions, Schoen Family Charitable Trust invites Wisconsin 501(c)(3) organizations to seek support for treatment, research, and related services. Nonprofits working in cancer/oncology, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, Parkinson’s, lung disease, autism, education, wellness, or family services may be eligible.

Wisconsin cancer nonprofits and medical organizations can access funding for cardiac and cancer research and programming, education for the underprivileged, and Catholic-related charitable work via First American Bank’s administration of the Guy A. and N. Kay Arboit Charitable Trust. Eligible applicants are generally based in the greater Chicago metropolitan area, including parts of Wisconsin.

Wisconsin cancer and amyloidosis patients can access funding through the HealthWell Foundation for prescription drug copays and Medicare Part B insurance premiums, up to US $8,000. Eligible individuals must be underinsured, receiving amyloidosis treatment in the U.S., have insurance that covers their medication, and meet HealthWell’s income guidelines.

Nonprofit, tax-exempt 501(c)(3) educational or research institutions in the U.S. conducting non-animal childhood cancer research may be eligible for this program, including those in Wisconsin. With a mission to advance alternatives to animal-based methods, Alternatives Research & Development Foundation provides US $210,000 for pre-clinical projects improving childhood cancer knowledge or treatment.

Professional elderly blues musicians facing emergency medical or living expenses can receive US $500 in assistance for care, transportation, utilities, or burial costs across the U.S., including Wisconsin. The Pinetop Perkins Foundation’s PAL program pays creditors directly and may help cancer-focused nonprofits support qualifying artists in crisis.

Grants for research and community organizations in the U.S., including Wisconsin, support patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research across the cancer care continuum. Grants from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute help cancer-focused partners study screening barriers, improve evidence-based treatment delivery, and address survivorship and follow-up needs for patients, caregivers, and communities facing high cancer burdens.

Cancer researchers leading projects on prevention, early detection, treatment, or survivorship for high-burden populations across the U.S., including Wisconsin, can seek pilot funding to improve cancer outcomes. Focused on translational, interdisciplinary work, the Indiana Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute offers up to US $50,000 for IU Simon Comprehensive Cancer Center member-led studies.

Research institutions and healthcare organizations conducting retrospective comparative clinical effectiveness studies in cancer and related conditions in Wisconsin can seek up to US $2,000,000 to inform health decision making and improve outcomes. Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute supports methodologically robust, patient-centered projects using existing data sources that address at least one of its priority topic themes.

Cancer research institutions and academic medical centers conducting translational oncology studies can seek funding to advance prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human cancers, including work based in Wisconsin. National Institutes of Health SPORE P50 center grants support state-of-the-art, organ-specific or mechanism-based cancer research that reaches a human translational endpoint within the project period.

Graduating high school seniors and healthcare professionals pursuing oncology or hematology education in Central or Southern Illinois can receive tuition or professional development support, including certifications and conferences. Grants from Heart of Illinois Community Foundation help cancer-focused students and practitioners, including those from Macon, Moultrie, or Piatt Counties, advance their training and careers.

Wisconsin cancer and oncology clinician scientists can access funding through the American Society for Radiation Oncology to build independent research careers while maintaining clinical practice. Full-time faculty at U.S. academic institutions or eligible nonprofits in radiation oncology, with clinical licenses and active patient care roles, may be eligible for this clinician scientist development support.

Practicing radiation oncologists in Wisconsin conducting cancer research can apply for the ACS-ASTRO Felix Feng, MD Clinician Scientist Development Award, which provides US $729,000 over three to five years for research across the cancer continuum. This American Society for Radiation Oncology partnership may benefit clinicians affiliated with cancer-focused nonprofits or treatment centers.

Incyte Corporation, a biopharmaceutical leader, offers healthcare sponsorships to support organizations focused on improving patient care and access to healthcare information. Eligible applicants include medical schools, associations, non-profits, advocacy groups, and hospitals. Requests should align with Incyte's commitment to enhancing the lives of patients affected by cancer and other diseases, ensuring compliance with regulatory guidelines. Organizations must enter a written agreement with Incyte to receive funding.

Incyte Corporation invites organizations to submit membership requests aimed at enhancing healthcare access for patients and advocates. As a biopharmaceutical leader, Incyte supports initiatives that align with its mission to improve patient lives through grants and contributions. Eligible entities include medical schools, associations, non-profits, and advocacy groups. Requests should comply with Incyte's regulatory standards and be submitted at least 60 days prior to the required decision date.

The 2026 Radiation Oncology Institute- Innovation Awards aim to advance cancer treatment by integrating radiation therapy with immunotherapy. Researchers are invited to submit proposals that explore optimal combinations of these modalities to enhance patient outcomes. Funding of up to $100,000 over two years will support projects focused on identifying effective treatment strategies, understanding mechanisms of synergy, and improving access to care. This initiative represents a significant opportunity for innovative research in oncology.

The Radiation Oncology Institute (ROI) Innovation Awards, offered by the American Society for Radiation Oncology, aim to accelerate innovative ideas in radiation therapy. Currently accepting applications for the 2026 awards, the program focuses on optimizing the combination of radiation therapy and immunotherapy to enhance cancer treatment outcomes. By supporting practical research, ROI strives to transform clinical practices and improve patient care in the fight against cancer.

Pfizer is offering a grant opportunity for independent medical education initiatives focused on Muscle Invasive Bladder Cancer (MIBC). This program aims to address the current knowledge gaps among healthcare professionals regarding emerging treatment data and its potential impact on clinical practices. By collaborating with Astellas, Pfizer seeks proposals that enhance awareness and understanding of the evolving MIBC landscape, ultimately improving patient outcomes in this critical area of unmet medical need.

The Joyce Bytof Memorial Cancer Survivors Scholarship, established by Joyce Bytof in collaboration with the American Cancer Society, supports childhood cancer survivors graduating from specific Wisconsin high schools. This scholarship aims to assist them in pursuing higher education despite the financial and academic challenges posed by their experiences. Joyce's legacy continues to inspire hope and resilience among young survivors as they strive for academic success and a brighter future.

The AACR-Torrey Coast Foundation Transpacific Gastric and Esophageal Cancer Research Partnership Grant supports innovative research on upper gastrointestinal malignancies, which are responsible for over one million deaths globally in 2023. This grant encourages collaboration between U.S. and Asian institutions, focusing on resistance, metastasis, and novel treatment strategies. Proposals should detail plans for clinical translation and are open to researchers at all career stages, especially those new to upper GI cancer research.

Bristol Myers Squibb Foundation Inc supports independent medical education to enhance healthcare professional competence and improve patient health outcomes. Their mission is to be a global leader in innovative medical education, focusing on evidence-based activities that address critical gaps in knowledge. By fostering excellence in healthcare, they aim to ensure measurable improvements in performance and patient outcomes across various disease areas.

The National Cancer Institute (NCI) invites applications for the validation of biomarkers and assays for cancer detection and treatment. This funding opportunity allows for biphasic or monophasic applications to support both analytical and clinical validation phases. Successful projects will leverage human specimens to develop assays that enhance cancer treatment and prevention, ensuring multidisciplinary collaboration among scientists and clinicians. This initiative aims to improve cancer management through reliable and clinically validated tools.

The American Heart Association is seeking proposals to study the prevalence and treatment of cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic diseases among cancer patients and survivors. Given the over 16.7 million cancer survivors in the U.S., this research aims to highlight critical health disparities, identify treatment modalities, and explore shared risk factors. Applications focusing on underrepresented populations and utilizing real-world data sources are especially encouraged, aiming to improve health outcomes in this vulnerable group.

The ASCO Clinical Oncology & Research Experience (ASCO CORE) offers medical students immersive exposure to the field of oncology through shadowing experiences in clinical and research settings. With two distinct tracks, participants can gain insights into patient care or research practices, guided by mentors. Eligible students must be enrolled in a U.S. DO or MD program and maintain a good academic record. This program aims to inspire the next generation of oncology professionals.

Grants Program for Penn Investigators - Faculty Awards

Research grant applications in basic science, prevention, disease interception, and early detection that are relevant to the study of BRCA1/2 will be considered. The Basser Cancer Interception Institute focuses on funding new endeavors in emerging, orthogonal fields beyond DNA damage (e.g. mechanisms of haploinsufficiency, cancer evolution and tissue tropism). 

Grants focused on the following are of particular interest:

• Cancer interception and the pre-cancer disease state
• Issues relevant to men (including but not limited to prostate cancer, pancreatic cancer, male breast cancer)
• Potential for translation into clinical practice
• Early detection

Grants that demonstrate a potential for translation into clinical practice will be prioritized for funding.

Faculty Awards

Faculty awards are for two years with a funding level up to $200,000 per year.

The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation (VLCF) has played a pivotal role in cancer research and education since its inception in 1971, raising over $21 million to support innovative treatments and compassionate care. This private foundation invites applications from recognized healthcare institutions, focusing on funding scientific and medical fellowships. VLCF is dedicated to preventing cancer and improving patient care, ensuring that the spirit of excellence continues in the fight against this disease.