CDMRP Rare Cancers Research Program Idea Development Award

The Rare Cancers Research Program's vision is to greatly improve outcomes for people with rare cancers through discovery, community building, and expansion of knowledge across the cancer landscape.

The FY26 RCRP IDA promotes ideas that are ready for development and have the potential to yield high-impact findings and new avenues of investigation. This award supports research supported by preliminary data that could lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate progress toward eradicating rare cancers.

Applications must address at least one of the Focus Areas listed below:

• Biology 
• Pre-Clinical Research Model
• Therapy
• Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) Model

FY26 RCRP definition of rare cancers: Cancers affecting six or fewer persons per 100,000 per year in the United States.
 

It is expected that 15 awards will be granted. 

Funding: $490,000

Duration: 3 years

Research Authority due date: 12.8.26

Pre application (required) due date: 19.8.26

Full proposal due date: 18.11.26