The real proof of impact is found not only in the data, but in the lives saved. Lives like Taylor’s, who faced an aggressive bone cancer that kept coming back until a treatment funded through the ALSF research grant program stopped it for good. Today, Taylor is all grown up—a nurse, a wife, a mother of two, and a lemonade stand host.
By: Trish Adkins
In 2025, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation (ALSF) supported nearly 300 childhood cancer research grants, including 131 new research awards, fueling innovative science across the country and at every stage of discovery, from early laboratory research to clinical trials bringing new treatments directly to children.
These awards were funded by a community of amazing supporters around the world from lemonade stand hosts to large companies to athletes to donors. Their gifts have allowed ALSF to continue to accelerate progress, fund bold ideas, support early-career investigators, and sustain long-term projects that might otherwise go unfunded. Each grant helps move the field forward, building on decades of momentum sparked by one child’s determination to cure childhood cancer.
The biggest award given in 2025 was a $10 million investment in two Crazy 8 Initiative grants to study of the diagnosis and treatment of cancer predisposition syndromes. The Crazy 8 provides multi-year funding to collaborative teams that are tackling the most challenging problems in childhood cancer.
Learn more about the Crazy 8 Predisposition Grants
ALSF also continued its support of four leading childhood cancer institutions through the Centers of Excellence (COE) program. Since 2021, the COE program has funded childhood cancer institutions as they develop and conduct early phase clinical trials, train young investigators in trial and drug development, build developmental therapeutics programs, and collaborate to ensure potential cures can reach all kids.
“For over 25 years, Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation has been dedicated to bringing hope and better outcomes to children with cancer,” said Liz Scott, mother to ALSF founder Alex Scott and Co-Executive Director of ALSF. “Alex believed in the power of research to change lives, and these initiatives are a testament to her vision.”
Since Alex hosted her first lemonade stand and ignited a global movement, overall survival rates for childhood cancer have increased from 77% to more than 85%. Advances in research have led to new treatment options, expanded clinical trials, and grown a pipeline of therapies tailored specifically for children. This progress is driven by sustained investment in research.
The real proof of impact is found not only in the data, but in the lives saved.
Lives like Taylor’s, who faced an aggressive bone cancer that kept coming back until a treatment funded through the ALSF research grant program stopped it for good. Today, Taylor is all grown up — a nurse, a wife, and a mother of two.
And she’s not alone.
There is Edie, Zach, Philip, Arden, Quincy, Abbie, Lincoln, Lakelynn, Eden, Greta, Beau, Sonia, Brynn, little Josie and so many more children who are alive today because of continued investment in research and the ALSF community's unwavering belief that when we work together, cures are possible.
Here’s a look at some of the new childhood cancer research funded in 2025:
“A’ Award Grants (Five New in 2025)
The 'A' Award is designed for the early independent career scientist who wants to establish a career in pediatric oncology research.
Innovation Grants (14 New in 2025)
These grants are designed to provide critical and significant seed funding for experienced investigators with a new and promising approach to finding causes and cures for childhood cancers.
R Accelerated Award Grants (Four New in 2025)
This grant provides funding to scientists with prior NIH federal grants who have an original project that is not currently being funded. The project should have a clear focus on accelerating the discovery of more effective, less toxic therapies for childhood cancers.
Reach Grants (Six New in 2025)
This award is designed to move research toward the clinic, providing support for an unmet clinical need relevant to the care of patients with pediatric cancer.
Young Investigator Grants (21 New in 2025)
Young Investigator Grants are designed to fill the critical need for startup funds for less experienced researchers to pursue promising research ideas. These grants encourage and cultivate the best and brightest researchers of the future and lead to long-term research projects.
Interested in learning more about the cutting-edge research that ALSF funds? Sign up for our research emails, here.
