Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation for Childhood Cancer

Foundation will offer support to continue innovative research of competitively reviewed applicants who fell outside the National Institutes of Health’s fundable range

Philadelphia, PA (November 2011) – In response to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) funding hitting a recent low, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) will introduce a unique Bridge Grant awards program for NIH childhood cancer research applications that received excellent scores but did not receive funding due to the budget shortage. In an effort to keep the projects of these researchers on track while they reapply for funding, ALSF’s Bridge Grant awards will provide $100,000 over a 12 month period. Applications will be taken on a rolling review basis with a deadline of January 9, 2012 or until capacity is reached. A total of three grants will be funded in this cycle, with a second cycle planned for the summer of 2012.

With a mission of finding better treatments and ultimately cures for all kids with cancer, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation’s aim is to fund the best research. With childhood cancer already receiving a low percentage of the NIH’s budget, and in response to the recent funding decrease, the Foundation is implementing this new Bridge Grant mechanism to sustain funding for promising NIH childhood cancer research applications through the period until they are re-submitted, and hopefully funded by the NIH. All applicant’s projects must align with the mission of ALSF and therefore be focused on improving the diagnosis and cure rate for childhood cancers. Projects focused on complications from cancer treatments and quality of life and care will not be considered for the Bridge Grant category.

To expedite the application progress, ALSF’s Scientific Advisory Board will review the previously reviewed NIH application along with changes that have been made in response to feedback from NIH reviews. Therefore, a cover letter, the original application, summary statement, response to NIH critique and budget will be required by all applicants. Applications must be submitted via www.ALSFgrants.org where all guidelines can be found. The Foundation will begin to accept applications on December 15, 2011. Applicants’ projects must have been initially reviewed by the NIH within the last six months.

“With the amount of funding the NIH directs to childhood cancer continuing to be a concern, we want to be sure research moves forward, because the fact remains that children with cancer need new treatments now,” said Jay Scott, the Foundation’s Executive Director. “Childhood cancer remains the number one disease killer of children in the United States, and to see that statistic change, the work of the most promising researchers must be sustained. We are here to help propel them to attain our goal of achieving cures for all kids with cancer.”

The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Bridge Grants will join the Foundation’s successful and innovative pediatric research and nursing grant programs. The Foundation awards medical research grants to leading hospitals and institutions, as well as grants to nurses examining better ways to care for children undergoing cancer treatment. To date, ALSF has funded over 200 research grants at nearly 70 institutions in North America.