Seed Grant Program

The Seed Grant Program, administered by the Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research, has been a central mechanism for supporting early-stage pancreatic cancer research since its inception in 2005. The Foundation aims to drive progress in understanding, diagnosing, and treating pancreatic cancer through targeted funding of promising scientific proposals. Over the years, the Seed Grant Program has enabled both basic and clinical scientists to explore innovative approaches to improve patient care, uncover early detection strategies, and advance core biological understanding of pancreatic cancer. This grant program specifically supports projects in key research areas including treatment and therapy development, patient care improvements, early diagnosis and detection methodologies, cancer biology, prevention, metabolism, and the enhancement of research core facilities. Its primary objective is to provide start-up funding for early-career investigators with novel ideas that could evolve into more extensive projects funded by larger institutions or agencies. By funding initial proof-of-concept work, the Seed Grant Program intends to foster new insights into the molecular and physiological basis of pancreatic cancer and explore therapeutic responses. Eligibility for this grant is limited to researchers at U.S.-based academic institutions and research organizations. Applicants must be early-career academic researchers, including assistant and associate professors, research-track and clinical-track junior faculty, staff scientists, and postdoctoral trainees. The grant is structured for individual principal investigators, with collaborative projects permitted but multi-PI applications disallowed. Applicants who do not have an independent research program must include a senior mentor with relevant expertise in pancreatic cancer. Each grant offers a single award of $75,000 for a one-year period. No indirect costs are covered, and mentor salary support is not eligible. The application deadline is May 15, 2026. Award decisions will be announced by July 30, 2026, and the earliest project start date is set for September 1, 2026. Applicants are allowed to request a one-year no-cost extension if needed. Final reports for funded projects are due by October 1, 2027. To apply, candidates must compile a detailed application in a single PDF document and upload it to the submission portal. Required materials include a completed cover page, a title and abstract, a research plan with background and aims, references, documentation for human and animal subjects as applicable, biosketches and support statements from investigators and mentors, and a budget justification. Administrative items include contact information for a finance or grant manager, a high-resolution photo, and a lay summary of the project. Applications will be reviewed by a panel composed of the Hirshberg Foundation Scientific Advisory Board and external experts. Proposals will be evaluated based on scientific merit and alignment with program priorities. Feedback will not be provided to applicants. For any questions beyond those answered in the FAQs, applicants are encouraged to contact the Foundation at [email protected].