RTFCCR/LLS Patient-Focused Immunotherapy Research Grant for Blood Cancer will not open for new applications this year.

The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR), a private foundation in Switzerland, is focused on funding promising, innovative translational studies and clinical trials that hold the promise of delivering hopeful, encouraging and immediate options for cancer patients to prevent, diagnose, treat or improve quality of life.

In a joint collaboration, the RTFCCR and LLS aim to stimulate innovative and clinically relevant cancer research that has the highest potential for near-term patient impact in terms of clinical application, therapeutic outcomes and quality of life. With this competitive grant, the RTFCCR and LLS aspire to advance clinical cancer research worldwide that aims to “educate” a person’s immune system to fight blood cancers.

Great strides have been made in recent years to advance new therapies that either directly activate the immune system in blood cancers or release the inhibitory mechanisms that prevent such activation in solid tumors. The profound clinical efficacy of a few emerging immune-therapeutics for blood cancer and solid tumors, along with a deeper understanding of the ability of tumors to evade the immune system, hold the greatest potential for cures today.  The two organizations (RTFCCR and LLS) have joined forces to build upon previous successful application of immune-oncology therapeutics for cancer to achieve future cures for blood cancers.

This award program will provide each awarded application with a maximum of $600,000 (USD) over a 3-year period. RTFCCR and LLS will equally co-fund the successful application and will require that contracts with each organization be executed prior to initiation of the grant. Applications are accepted globally. We seek to fund innovative clinical projects that apply an understanding of the immune system or to use novel therapeutic approaches to engage the immune system in clinical trials for blood cancers. A direct patient benefit as a result of the conducted study is desired, which would have clinical impact  during the course of this 3 year grant or potentially within 3 years after completion of the grant.  

Potential projects will include, but not be limited to, the following points of interest:

Characterization of the status of the immune system in blood cancers patients with the purpose of stratifying them on conventional or emerging immunotherapies for the treatment of blood cancers; understand how or if immune system impairment can lead to blood cancers.
Development of novel immunotherapeutics including conventional antibodies, immunocheckpoint inhibitors, bi-specific T-cell engaging biologics, adoptive cell therapies, and vaccines for use in clinical trials.
Development of repurposed agents that engage the immune system.
Examine improvements to the quality of life during or after immunotherapy for the treatment of blood cancers.

Applications from any discipline will be encouraged to apply. Applicants with specialization in immuno-oncology, including those applicants with experience in solid tumors, are especially encouraged to apply.

LLS does not currently plan to reopen this program.

Application Process and Deadlines

Application Guidelines & Instructions

LLS Grant Terms

The applicant and Sponsoring Institution must register independently with the LLS Research Portal site powered by FLUXX in order for applicant to apply. Timelines and deadlines for the application process are shown below.

To apply please visit the LLS Research Portal (FLUXX): http://lls.fluxx.io

Application Timeline

For additional questions regarding LLS grant programs, eligibility and application processes, please contact the Director of Research Administration at researchprograms@lls.org .