Applicatios open for RUNX1 Early Career Investigator Grant Program

Deadline: 17-Dec-2026

The RUNX1 Early Career Investigator Grant Program invites early career scientists worldwide to apply for funding to advance basic and translational research focused on preventing the progression of RUNX1 familial platelet disorder (RUNX1-FPD) to blood cancer. The program is a partnership between the RUNX1 Research Program and Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation. It aims to support a new generation of researchers studying inherited hematologic malignancy predisposition disorders, with a particular focus on RUNX1-FPD and strategies that could prevent malignant transformation. Selected investigators can receive up to $180,000 in direct costs over three years, with a maximum of $60,000 per year.

About the RUNX1 Early Career Investigator Grant Program

The RUNX1 Early Career Investigator Grant Program was created to foster a community of scientists dedicated to understanding and preventing blood cancers associated with RUNX1-FPD. Inherited hematologic malignancy predisposition disorders have historically received limited research attention. This initiative seeks to address that gap by providing targeted funding to early career investigators and encouraging research focused on prevention. The program supports both basic and translational research, particularly studies capable of moving discoveries from laboratory research toward clinical application and preemptive intervention. Main Research Objective Proposals must be relevant to the prevention of malignant transformation in RUNX1-FPD. The program places particular emphasis on research that can translate findings from the laboratory to patient care and inform strategies for intervening before blood cancer develops. Research may investigate biological mechanisms, potential therapeutic targets, or approaches for identifying and addressing processes that contribute to malignant transformation. Priority Research Areas

Areas of interest include:

- Modulating marrow inflammation. - Targeting clonal hematopoiesis. - Restoring RUNX1 function. - Understanding genomic instability. - Exploring emerging dependencies in RUNX1-mutant hematopoiesis. - Translating laboratory findings into potential clinical applications. - Developing or informing preemptive intervention strategies. Applicants should ensure that proposed research has a clear connection to preventing malignant transformation in RUNX1-FPD. Basic and Translational Research The program supports research spanning fundamental biological understanding and translational applications. Basic research can help clarify the mechanisms underlying RUNX1-FPD and malignant transformation, while translational research can help move those discoveries toward potential strategies for prevention and intervention. Priority is given to work that helps bridge the gap between bench research and bedside applications. Funding Available

The grant provides:

- Total funding: $180,000.

- Award period: Three years.

- Maximum annual funding: $60,000 per year.

- Indirect costs: Not allowed.

The budget may include eligible direct research costs such as: - Personnel. - Travel. - Research supplies. - Small equipment. Applicants should structure their budgets around the direct research costs required to successfully complete the proposed project. Research Progress and Resource Sharing Grant recipients are expected to participate in the broader RUNX1 research community. Awardees must present research progress at the annual RUNX1 Research Program scientific meeting. Recipients are also expected to share unique resources developed through the award in accordance with a Resource Sharing Plan. These requirements are intended to encourage scientific collaboration, knowledge exchange, and broader use of research resources generated through funded projects. Who Can Apply? The program is designed specifically for early career scientists.

Eligible applicants must:

- Hold an MD, PhD, or equivalent degree. - Be within five years of their first faculty appointment as an Assistant Professor or equivalent. - Be based at a non-profit institution anywhere in the world. - Allocate at least 75% of their time to research activities during the award period. - Demonstrate experience in hematopoiesis or immunology. Applicants must meet the early career requirement during the relevant award period. Who Is Not Eligible? Associate Professors and Full Professors are not eligible for the program. The grant is specifically intended to support investigators at the early stages of their independent research careers. Worldwide Eligibility The program accepts eligible applicants from non-profit institutions worldwide. This international eligibility allows early career scientists from different countries to contribute to research addressing RUNX1-FPD and inherited predisposition to hematologic malignancies. What Should a Strong Proposal Demonstrate? A strong proposal should establish a clear connection between the proposed research and the prevention of malignant transformation in RUNX1-FPD.

Applicants should clearly explain:

- The scientific problem being addressed. - How the research relates to RUNX1-FPD. - Why the proposed work is important for cancer prevention. - The basic or translational research approach. - How findings could contribute to preemptive intervention strategies. - How the research may translate from laboratory discoveries toward clinical applications. - The investigator’s experience in hematopoiesis or immunology. - How the project can be completed within three years. - How the requested direct costs will support the research. Early Career Research Focus The grant specifically aims to build the next generation of scientists working on inherited hematologic malignancy predisposition disorders. By targeting investigators within five years of their first faculty appointment, the program provides support during an important stage of independent scientific development. The focus on RUNX1-FPD also helps create a specialized researc