January 27, 2025
Research Grants & RFPs
Committed to advancing research across the spectrum of melanoma and supporting researchers at every stage of their careers
Established in 1998, the MRF research grants are a competitive, peer-reviewed program for investigator-initiated research conducted under the purview of our Scientific Advisory Committee. MRF-supported research is open to medical students through senior investigative teams and encompass not only cutaneous melanoma, but also the rare melanoma types such as uveal, mucosal and pediatric melanoma.
Our Partners.
The MRF proactively partners with the National Cancer Institute (NCI), Congress, the Department of Defense (DoD), Society of Melanoma Research (SMR), the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), other foundations and pharmaceutical companies to develop and collaborate on a broad agenda for melanoma research that takes full advantage of all opportunities, while also sharing challenges.
Our Impact in Research
333
Projects
$26M+
Funding
26
Years
Grant & RFP Opportunities
Pediatric Melanoma Established Investigator Award
The purpose of this two-year $250,000 ($125,000 per year) award is to support established melanoma researchers, or senior researchers in related fields who wish to move into melanoma research. Applicants must focus on prevention, early detection, population science, basic/translational biology and clinical studies to address the gaps in understanding the biology, optimal management and long-term outcomes for pediatric melanoma patients. Additional information including eligibility requirements can be found in the 2026 Pediatric Established Investigator Award RFP and Proposal Central.
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025 Decisions Announced: January 31, 2026
Medical Student Research Grants
The purpose of this one-year $3,000 award is to support medical students’ clinical or laboratory-based research projects focused on better understanding melanoma prevention and early detection, behaviors that impact melanoma risk, biology and treatment of melanoma including the rare melanoma subtypes. Additional information including eligibility requirements can be found in the 2026 Medical Student Grant RFP and Proposal Central.
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
Decisions Announced: January 31, 2026
MRF Breakthrough Consortium (MRFBC) Team Award
The purpose of this two-year $250,000 award ($125,000 each year) is to focus on translational melanoma research. Applicants’ principal investigator must be from an MRFBC institution. Successful applications will emphasize novel, innovative proposals designed to address the mission of the MRFBC – to accelerate research and treatment development for cutaneous melanoma and rare melanoma subtype patients. Additional information including eligibility requirements can be found in the 2026 MRFBC Team Award RFP and Proposal Central.
Application Deadline: October 31, 2025
Decisions Announced: January 31, 2026
Established Investigator Award (EIA) and Career Development Award (CDA)
Due to the high volume of applications received, EIA and CDA applicants must submit a one-page Letter of Intent (LOI) by October 31, 2025. Selected applicants will then be invited to submit a full proposal.
Established Investigator Awards (EIA): The purpose of these two-year $250,000 ($125,000 per year) awards is to support established melanoma researchers, or senior researchers working in closely related fields who wish to move into melanoma research with a focus on addressing unmet clinical needs in melanoma research.
Career Development Awards (CDA): The purpose of these two-year $100,00 ($50,000 per year) awards is to support junior investigators focused on addressing unmet clinical needs in melanoma research.
Additional information including eligibility requirements can be found in the 2026 Career Development Award and 2026 Established Investigator Award combined RFP and Proposal Central.
LOI Submission Deadline: October 31, 2025
Notification to Submit Application: January 2026
Submit Full Application: March 31, 2026
Decisions Announced: August 2026
Opportunities Under Review.
There are currently no RFPs under review.
Peer-Reviewed Research Opportunities.
The MRF has been funding peer-reviewed research since 1998. The foundation provides emerging and established scientific investigators with highly sought-after grants that allow them to explore new, high-impact avenues in melanoma research. The types of grants offered are noted below:
Team Science Awards
The largest grant offered by the MRF, a Team Science Award, encourages collaboration across academic disciplines in an institution or among multiple institutions. Team Science Awards are required to address an unmet need or Special Topic area, as defined by the MRF’s Scientific Advisory Committee.
Established Investigator Awards (EIA)
Applicants must have at least a position of Associate Professor and a demonstrated research track record. This award encourages proven researchers to continue research on emerging challenges in melanoma. Ideally, this award will generate data that can justify a much larger competitive grant.
Career Development Awards (CDA)
This award enables young researchers to generate the groundwork that can leverage additional grant funding from other funding bodies. As such, recipients must be either postdoctoral fellows with less than five years of postdoctoral experience or a research associate, instructor, assistant professor, or the equivalent.
Pilot Awards
The goal of this award is to create findings that could then lend themselves to larger, multicenter grant proposals. Both tenured and non-tenured track faculty are encouraged to apply.
Resident/Fellow Awards
This grant is designed to fund clinical or laboratory melanoma research projects for resident/ fellows under the mentorship of a melanoma investigator.
Medical Student Awards
The MRF is committed to introducing students early in their careers to the clinical or research opportunities under the mentorship of an investigator engaged in melanoma research.
MRF Funded Research
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Learn MoreSupported Research Centers
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Occasionally, we also have special opportunities available that do not adhere to our usual categories.
Specific details and application instructions for each MRF research opportunity will be available in the relevant RFP. Questions regarding the research opportunities above can be directed to the Chief Science Officer at research@melanoma.org