The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF), in partnership with Bayer, is offering the 2025 Research Award on Innovative Therapeutic Strategies to Treat Lung Cancers Harboring HER2 Mutations and/or Other HER2 Alterations. This targeted funding opportunity supports advanced research into the mechanisms and treatment of HER2-driven lung cancers. The focus of this award is to accelerate translational and clinical research that improves therapeutic options for patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and other lung cancers characterized by HER2 mutations or alterations.

This mechanism specifically supports proposals that are tied to an ongoing or planned clinical trial and that incorporate a translational or basic science research component. Eligible studies must investigate novel treatment approaches such as next-generation tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs), antibody-drug conjugates, immunotherapies, cell therapies, or combination therapies, provided there is a clear scientific rationale. Additionally, all proposals must include mechanistic studies related to tumor progression, resistance, immune landscape, treatment optimization, or predictive biomarker development.

Importantly, all funded research projects must involve patients with HER2-mutant or HER2-altered lung cancers and must include a patient or patient advocate on the research team. This individual must have a defined role in the design and execution of the study, ensuring patient-centric innovation and relevance.

Each award will provide up to $500,000 in funding over a two-year period. Applicants must be affiliated with a nonprofit academic or research institution and may be postdoctoral researchers, clinical research fellows, or faculty members at any level of experience. International applicants are eligible, and there are no restrictions based on prior funding history. However, applicants may apply to only one LCRF grant per grant cycle.

Applications follow a two-step submission process through Proposal Central. The Letter of Intent (LOI) must be submitted by March 3, 2025. Applicants will be notified of their status by April 18, 2025. Those invited to submit a full proposal must do so by June 2, 2025. Award decisions will be made in November 2025, with project start dates set for December 1, 2025.

Projects will undergo comprehensive review, including assessment by LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board and input from patient advocates. Reviewers will evaluate both the scientific and clinical strength of the proposed work and the degree to which patient-centered perspectives are integrated. Projects must comply with LCRF’s data sharing and open-access policies, and awardees must submit regular scientific and lay reports.

For further information or inquiries, applicants should contact the LCRF Grants Office at grants@lcrf.org. Technical assistance with Proposal Central is available at 800-875-2562 (U.S./Canada) or +1-703-964-5840 (International).