Pilot Grant Award

I-REACH Pilot Research Grant Opportunity

The Infrastructure for Research on Cancer and Aging (I-REACH) is now accepting Letters of Intent for one-year pilot research grants. These grants are designed to:

  • Provide start-up funding for early-career researchers
  • Encourage collaborative research focused on the interrelationships between exposomic factors and aging in cancer survivorship health outcomes

Mission Focus

I-REACH supports basic, clinical and population science that explores how cancer and aging interact—especially studies that have direct implications for interventions to improve clinical care, public health, and policies for aging cancer survivors in the U.S.

Funding Details

  • 2–3 grants available.
  • Budget: $10,000 to $30,000 (direct costs only).
  • Completed within one year, leading to publications and larger grant applications

Research Scope

Pilots using existing I-REACH and national secondary data are encouraged. Research should include examination of the effects of relationships between the following elements on cancer survivorship:

  • Aging
  • Exposomic factors (e.g., physical or social environment or behaviors affecting health). Examples include, but are not limited to:
  • Social adversity, isolation, chronic stressors
  • Social environment/community resources, religious or spiritual practices
  • Behavioral factors/lifestyle
  • Exposure to pollution (air, water, noise, light)
  • Food toxicants (i.e., dyes or pesticides)
  • Neighborhood resources, safety, housing density
  • Educational quality and opportunities

Cancer Survivorship Outcomes:

  • Biological aging (e.g., cell damage, accelerated aging, gene expression, -omic’s )
  • Organ system and physical function
  • Cognitive aging; brain health
  • Tumor-host interactions and recurrence/death risk
  • Patient Reported outcomes (e.g., QOL, caregiver burden, financial toxicity, survivorship care)
  • Population and policy-related outcomes

Who Can Apply?

  • Applicants must be I-REACH members (link to join: ireach.georgetown.edu/membership )
  • A full-time early-stage investigator 
  • A post-doctoral fellow with written departmental support
  • A senior researcher transitioning into this field
  • Committed to a long-term career in cancer, aging, and exposomic factors
  • A U.S. citizen or green card holder at the time of the award

Application Process

1. Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) with bio sketch by September 2, 2025

2. If selected, submit a full proposal (R03 format) by October 15, 2025; preliminary data is not required if hypotheses are clearly supported.

3. Interested applicants should consult with an I-REACH Pilot Core Leader for alignment with I-REACH goals (ireach.georgetown.edu/pilot-program); consultations with the Stakeholder Core are encouraged (ireach.georgetown.edu/i-reach-stakeholder-core)

For LOI/guidelines and review criteria, visit : ireach.georgetown.edu/pilot-application

Funds may be used for:

  • Salary (PI and staff support; justification is required for co-Investigator salaries)
  • Research expenses

Key Dates

  • LOI due: September 2, 2025  
  • Invitation to apply: September 15, 2025  
  • Full application deadline: October 15, 2025  
  • Funding decisions: November 15, 2025  
  • Project start: January 1, 2026

I-REACH is a collaboration of Georgetown University, University of Maryland, Karmanos Cancer Institute/Wayne State University, and the University of California at Los Angeles.