AACR-Torrey Coast Foundation Transpacific Gastric and Esophageal Cancer Research Partnership Grant
Upper gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies are among the most lethal tumor types, contributing to over one million deaths worldwide in 2023 from the combined toll of gastric and esophageal cancers. These tumors present formidable challenges in diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes, underscoring the urgent need for innovative approaches to enhance patient care and survival.
The AACR and the Torrey Coast Foundation are committed to supporting high-impact research projects that will make a meaningful difference in the lives of patients affected by these diseases. The AACR-Torrey Coast Foundation Transpacific Gastric and Esophageal Cancer Research Partnership Grant is intended to support a multi-institutional team with Principal Investigators from at least one institution in the United States and one in Asia. The focus is on collaborative research in gastric or esophageal cancer, specifically in areas such as resistance, metastasis, innovative treatment strategies (including identifying and characterizing novel targets), and cellular and immunotherapies. Proposals must include plans indicating how the work will be translated into the clinic, including an estimated timeline.
Applications are invited from researchers at all career stages, especially those new to the field of upper GI cancers. Those with expertise in other areas are especially encouraged to apply, provided they have promising ideas and approaches that can be applied to upper GI cancer research. To facilitate involvement of investigators who are new to the field, preclinical resources (cell lines, organoids, and mouse models) will be made available to researchers upon request.
The Grant will provide up to $400,000 in funding for direct and indirect expenses related to the research project for a period of up to 24 months.
Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available in PDF format.
Proposals will be accepted for new ideas and innovative approaches that have direct application and relevance to gastric or esophageal cancer research. Proposed research should be translational in nature, with a clear path to the clinic.
- Proposed projects should be focused on gastric or esophageal cancers and address one of the following problem areas in the field:
- Preclinical studies with new therapies/targets in upper GI cancers
- Identification and characterization of new targets
- Mechanisms driving resistance to current therapies
- Mechanisms and targets underlying metastatic progression
- Cellular and/or immunotherapies
- The following project types are not in scope for the award:
- Direct funding for clinical trials; for relevant clinical trials that already have funding and approvals in place, this award could be appropriate for correlative analyses of samples from that trial.
- Collection of new epidemiological data; previously gathered epidemiological data may be incorporated into proposed projects.
At least two co-applicants, one from a US-based institution and one from an Asia-based institution, are required. The team will be directed by the Lead Principal Investigator (Lead PI) and a co-Principal Investigator (co-PI). The Lead PI is responsible for the application, disbursement of funds to the various research projects, the conduct of the projects, and progress reporting.
Principal Investigators (PIs) must have a doctoral degree (including PhD, MD, DO, DC, ND, DDS, DVM, ScD, DNS, PharmD, or equivalent doctoral degree) and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral or professional degree.
Applications will be accepted from investigators at all career levels who have completed a doctoral degree and are affiliated with an academic, medical, or research institution in the US and Asia.
There are no citizenship or geographic requirements. However, by submitting an application for this grant, an applicant applying from an institution located in a country in which they are not a citizen or a permanent resident assures that their visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project within the grant term at the institution from which they applied.
Applicants must be Active AACR members in good standing (dues paid for the current year). Please be informed that AACR offers reduced membership due rates for applicants from countries with emerging economies based on the World Bank listing. Nonmembers interested in this grant opportunity must submit a satisfactory application for AACR Active membership by the Application deadline. Nonmembers can apply for membership online. Please review the Membership Categories for the category that best fits your qualifications. Nonmembers must obtain a statement of support from a nominator who is an Active AACR member in good standing (dues paid for the current year). Nonmembers requiring assistance with finding a nominator may email [email protected] and include your geographical location to receive a list of members in your area to contact for nominations. For more information check the membership FAQ. Members can renew their membership through myAACR to bring their membership current. You will need your logon (email address) and password to access the member portal. If you require assistance logging in, please submit a help form. Lapsed members must be members in good standing by the application deadline and should contact the Membership Department at [email protected] for assistance.
The AACR requires applicants to complete an online Application by 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, January 15, 2026, using the ProposalCentral website.
Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available in PDF format.