Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation

OVERVIEW: The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation provides seed grants for promising research on children’s brain cancers as well as grants for the development of early-career scientists.

IP TAKE: This funder maintains three grantmaking programs: a fund for research on pediatric low-grade glioma and astrocytoma research, an early career development fund and an opportunity fund for “critical needs” in the field of pediatric brain cancer research. The foundation does not run all programs concurrently, however, announcing RFPs on its application page. Grantseekers working in the foundation’s specific areas of interest are advised to check back periodically for updates and sign up for the foundation’s newsletter. Grants are generally awarded in amounts of up to $500,000.

PROFILE: The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation (PBTF) describes itself as the “world’s leading nonprofit funder of childhood brain tumor research.” The overall goal of PBTF's grantmaking is research that leads to a better understanding of the biology of pediatric brain tumors. The foundation’s main fields of funding interest include diagnosis, etiology, prognosis, therapeutic options, therapy selection, monitoring for early detection and counteracting the effects of treatment. Its three grant programs are the PLGA Fund, Early Career Development Grants and Opportunity Grants.

PBTF’s PLGA Fund supports “promising pediatric low-grade glioma and astrocytoma research.” Over the years, PLGA grants have provided seed funding for researchers who have gone on to secure millions in funding from the National Cancer Institute, and whose therapies have come to have broad use in clinics and hospitals around the world. Grants support basic and translational research as well as clinical trials. Examples of funded projects are listed on the program page.

Early Career Development Grants “support rising stars in research, seeding the field for future pediatric brain tumor discovery.” Grants are geared toward scientists in the first-five years of faculty or equivalent positions, with the expectation that funding “will facilitate grantees’ transition to becoming fully independent investigators.” The most recent round of grants, awarded in 2019, were awarded in the amount of $300,000 for a three year period. Grantees include researchers at the University of Cincinnati, Texas Children’s Hospital and Duke University. The foundation has yet to announce a new round of grants, but is likely to do so at the conclusion of the 2019-2022 cycle.

Finally, PBTF’s Opportunity Grants “fill critical needs in brain tumor research for children and teens.” The program is currently prioritizing “diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma.” Grant application is by invitation-only, and recipients are selected based on consultation with the foundation’s Research Advisory network.

The Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation has made between $1 and $2 million in grants in recent years. Grants have generally ranged between $5,000 and $500,00, with only a few exceptions. The foundation’s average grant size is about $50,000. For additional information about past funding, see the foundation’s funded projects page.

PBTF announces RFPs for its grantmaking programs on its application page. Not all programs run concurrently, so it is important for researchers to check the application page for updates periodically, or to sign up for email updates at the organization’s homepage. For questions about funding, contact Amy Weinstein via email or telephone at 800-253-6530.

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