We can change the trajectory of colorectal cancer together.
The Alliance Research Grant Program (RFP) has been temporarily suspended to allow our resources to focus on establishing the adaptive clinical trial platform under Project Cure CRC. Future research funding will be dependent on available resources and alignment with this strategic priority.
We anticipate reopening the RFP later in 2026; however, a specific timeline has not yet been determined. Updates will be shared as they become available.
If investigators have concepts or ideas that may align with the adaptive clinical trial platform, we welcome you to reach out to research@ccalliance.org so we can stay connected as this work evolves.
When the program reopens, announcements will be posted. We appreciate the research community’s continued partnership and commitment to advancing colorectal cancer research.
Project Cure CRC’s fund for breakthoughs supports science from a wide variety of researchers.
Supports early-career faculty with innovative ideas in CRC research, providing up to $200,000 over two years for original preclinical, translational, or early clinical projects.
Funds transformative research to advance CRC therapies, offering up to $500,000 over two years for senior investigators proposing localized or metastatic CRC projects.
Encourages high-risk, high-reward CRC research with clear hypotheses, providing up to $200,000 over two years to establish proof-of-concept.
Supports collaborative, multidisciplinary CRC research teams with up to $500,000 over two years to drive curative science and innovation.
The Opportunistic Award is not being offered as of October 1, 2025. Funding opportunities for small biotech companies are being included in a Request for Proposals for Project Cure CRC’s adaptive clinical trial platform with release anticipated by mid-November 2025. The Alliance encourages small companies focused on new therapies and technologies for colorectal cancer to review the forthcoming RFP and submit proposals to accelerate new cures for CRC patients.
A first-of-its-kind trial platform in the colorectal cancer space, Project Cure CRC’s KLEOS is being driven by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, the leading nonprofit dedicated to ending the disease, in collaboration with GCAR, a pioneer in the design and implementation of innovative clinical trials.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance will present three poster sessions and deliver an oral presentation at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2026.
hrough Project Cure CRC, the Alliance is fueling bold, early-stage research with the potential to transform colorectal cancer treatment. Dr. Lisa Mielke’s groundbreaking work explores how the gut’s immune system and nerve signaling influence cancer growth—opening the door to new therapeutic approaches, including repurposed existing drugs. This is what’s possible when promising ideas get the support they need to move forward.