Upcoming V Foundation Grant Cycle Calendar (exact dates and times will be detailed in specific RFAs. Dates are estimates and are subject to change):

Translational (Translational, All-Star)
Nomination Deadline: December 2025
Application Deadline: January 2026
Award Notification: March 2026

Breaking Barriers (V Scholar, Translational)
Nomination Deadline: February 2026
Application Deadline: March 2026
Award Notification: May 2026

Pediatric (V Scholar, Translational, All-Star)
Nomination Deadline: March 2026
Application Deadline: April 2026
Award Notification: July 2026

V Scholar (V Scholar)
Nomination Deadline: May 2026
Application Deadline: June 2026
Award Notification: September 2026

Eligibility requirements vary slightly by grant opportunity and must be met by the nomination deadline. Please consult your institution’s grants office with any questions about individual residency status.

• V Scholar Grant: The lead investigator must be a US citizen or US permanent legal resident. This requirement does not apply to invited Canadian institutions.


• All Other Grant Types: The lead investigator must be a US Citizen or hold a legal permit (temporary or permanent) to work in the United States. This requirement also does not apply to invited Canadian institutions.

Nominees must meet all eligibility requirements outlined in the RFA by the nomination deadline.

Yes, an institution may nominate a current or past V Foundation grantee, provided the applicant meets all eligibility criteria outlined in the current RFA. The proposed project must not have scientific overlap with any previously funded V Foundation project.

Yes, candidates may be nominated for multiple V Foundation RFAs within the same year, provided they meet all eligibility requirements. However, if selected for funding, an applicant may only receive one V Foundation grant per calendar year.

No. The V Foundation does not accept or review unsolicited proposals.

Our process differs from many other funders. The V Foundation issues Requests for Applications (RFAs) to a select group of nonprofit research institutions in the U.S. and Canada. Currently, this includes NCI-Designated Cancer Centers, please contact your Cancer Center Director’s office for more information. and a limited number of select institutions.

You can learn more about our Foundation and our unique Grant Selection Process here.

Information about V Foundation RFAs is distributed to approved contacts at each invited institution. Please contact your Cancer Center Director’s office for more information.

Typical funding rates range from 15% to 25%, depending on the number of applications received for a given call and the available budget.

The V Foundation uses SmartSimple, a cloud-based grants management system that invited applicants use to complete and submit their applications.

SmartSimple login credentials are provided exclusively to the lead investigator on the application. The lead investigator can invite Co-PIs through the 'About the Team' section, granting them editing access.

The V Foundation defines a Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) as an individual who shares both scientific and administrative leadership responsibilities with the Principal Investigator. A Co-PI is involved in the development, direction, and execution of the project. Lead PIs may invite Co-PIs to access SmartSimple and assist with the application process.

Collaborators cooperate in the implementation of the research project but are not key drivers of project strategy and direction. Collaborators may be included in the budget; however, they are not considered key personnel and will not have access to the grant portal.

Co-PIs are not permitted for V Scholar and Mission grants, but are allowed for All-Star, Translational, and Game-Changer grants. Collaborators are allowed for all grant types.

No. Applications are specific to each funding call and grant type and are not available in advance. Once in SmartSimple, invited applicants will have access to the application template, which includes prompts, detailed instructions (such as page or word limits), and required elements for each section. To print the application template, go to the “About the Project” tab and click on the Application Preview button.

Yes. If the applicant believes the information is relevant to the review process, it may be uploaded as a PDF in the section titled “Upload figures and supplemental information to accompany proposal.”

There is no limit to the number of supplemental pieces that can be uploaded; however, reviewers appreciate concise and focused applications.

Yes, the V Foundation adheres to NIH guidelines regarding salary caps.

Indirect cost allowances vary by grant type:

• Translational and All-Star grants: Indirect costs up to 10% of the total award amount are allowed.


• V Scholar and Mission grants: Indirect costs are not allowed.


• Game-Changer grants: Indirect cost rates are determined on a case-by-case basis.

Please refer to the corresponding RFA for details. Where allowed, indirect costs are included within the total grant amount and may not exceed the indirect cost rate (%) of the total award. This means the total funding provided covers both direct and indirect costs, combined.

No, a confirmation email is not sent. However, once submitted, the application status will move from “Drafts” to “Submitted Applications” on the applicant’s dashboard.

Reviewer feedback is optional. If feedback is given, it will be shared with the applicant when award decisions are announced.

No, the V Foundation only corrects errors of fact, such as legal names. A Sample Grant Agreement is available in the Frequently Used Resources section below.

Yes, the V Foundation allows subcontracts but does not manage them. Subcontracts must be organized, administered, and approved by the respective institution(s).

The grantee must contact the V Foundation Grants Team at [email protected] immediately. The V Foundation will work with the grantee to assess the situation and determine next steps.

Grantees must submit annual progress reports through the SmartSimple online portal, available here. To begin, log in to your SmartSimple account and select “Progress Reports.”

Financial reports are also submitted via SmartSimple. The financial report template can be downloaded directly from the portal and is also available in the Frequently Used Resources section of this webpage.

Please refer to the Frequently Used Resources section of the webpage to locate the V Foundation’s Data Sharing Policy.

Significant re-budgets (defined as changes greater than 10% of the total budget or any individual line item) must be submitted in writing [email protected] for review by the Research & Grants Team. Requests should include a detailed explanation of the proposed budget modifications along with a justification for each change. Approval must be obtained prior to implementing any re-budgeting.

NCEs must be requested through the final progress report in SmartSimple. A justification for the NCE should be uploaded within the report as a PDF. Requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis and will only be considered after the final scientific progress and financial reports are submitted. For full details, refer to the V Foundation’s NCE policy in the Frequently Used Resources section.

Any transfer of a grant, whether to a new institution or a different Principal Investigator, requires prior approval from the V Foundation. Grantees must provide at least 30 days’ written notice in advance of the change.

Grantees wishing to transfer their award should contact the V Foundation Research & Grants Team immediately at [email protected] to begin submitting the required documentation in a timely manner. All transfer requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

The V Foundation reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to review proposed changes, renegotiate grant terms, and require the return of grant funds if the transfer is not approved. Refer to the V Foundation Grant Agreement for complete details.

Yes. The V Foundation’s goal is for the institutions to fully support their nominee so that they are successful while conducting their research. This generally involves a commitment to:

• Dedicated lab space


• Dedicated research time


• Start-up funds to fully equip the lab space


• Strong nomination letter that describes how the institution will support the nominee

Other similar tracks, such as clinical, are acceptable as long as the nominee meets all other eligibility requirements AND the Department Chair/Cancer Center Director is prepared to give protected time for the investigator’s research. This must be attested to in the required Letter of Recommendation.

Applicants must list all direct funding at any point in their professional career that is peer-reviewed, non-mentored. This includes any eligible grants where the applicant has received funding as a Co-I or Co-PI. Combined funding cannot exceed $1 million. Institutional support will not be counted in the total funding calculation. Please reference the V Scholar Financial Worksheet, which can be found in Frequently Used Resources.

No – However, any funding received as a Co-I or Co-PI must be listed on the financial worksheet.

No. The CPRIT award does not count toward V Scholar eligibility because it is considered institutional/start-up funding. It does not count in the $1 million total peer-reviewed non-mentored funding.

The All-Star grant is offered through one or more of our annual programs. Reference the grant cycle timeline section on the FAQ page for more details.

Information about V Foundation RFAs are distributed to approved contacts at each invited institution. Please contact your Cancer Center Director’s office for more information. Full eligibility requirements are in the All-Star Eligibility Guide located in the Frequently Used Resources section at the bottom of this page.

No. Only previously funded V Foundation grantees are eligible to apply.

No. We are unable to provide a list of previous awardees for individual institutions. However, all V Foundation grantees are listed in the Funded Grants section of the website.

Full eligibility requirements are in the All-Star Eligibility Guide located in the Frequently Used Resources section at the bottom of this page. The V Foundation will verify eligibility for all nominees before inviting them to apply.

Yes, if they meet all the other eligibility criteria as outlined in the RFA and All-Star Eligibility Guide at the bottom of this page.

No. The All-Star proposal does NOT need to be related or linked to the previously funded V Foundation grant.

However, if the applicant chooses to build on an active V-funded grant, the project aims must not have direct overlap and must meet all other eligibility criteria.

All eligibility criteria must be met by the nomination due date.

Yes. This does not affect their eligibility as long as the nominee meets current All-Star award criteria.

No. Only those who were previously awarded a V Foundation research grant as the lead PI are eligible.