Fueling Innovation: Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama Call for Proposals

The Breast Cancer Research Foundation of Alabama (BCRFA) is pleased to announce its annual grant cycle, aimed at accelerating groundbreaking breast cancer research across the state. By funding innovative, high-impact projects, the BCRFA seeks to deepen our understanding of breast cancer and advance novel strategies for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

We welcome proposals across all research areas, including basic science and population-based studies, with the ultimate goal of helping investigators secure future extramural funding.

Funding Opportunities

The number of awards granted each cycle is contingent upon available funding. The BCRFA is accepting applications for two distinct funding tracks:

1. Two-Year Research Grants ($100,000)

• Designed to support sustained, multi-year research initiatives.
• Funded at $50,000 per year over two years.
• Funding for the second year is contingent upon progress reporting and successful milestone achievements in Year 1.

2. Catalyst Awards ($25,000)

• A specialized, single-year grant designed to empower and support early-career investigators.

The BCRFA is a nonprofit organization raising funds and awareness for breast cancer research in Alabama. Since its founding in 1996, the organization has invested over $17 million in cutting-edge breast cancer research initiatives across the state.

Proposals will be accepted from August 1 – October 1, 2026. Submission instructions are below. A printable copy of the BCRFA’s request for proposals and cover sheet is included here.

 2026 BCRFA RFP/Cover sheet

 DOWNLOAD

Funding Limitations

Use of BCRFA funds is limited to laboratory/research personnel, supplies, and/or services directly required for the project. Funds may not be used for indirect costs, publication costs, travel costs, or investigator salaries (exception made for Catalyst awards which allow up to 1/2 of award funds for Pre- or Postdoc salary support). The BCRFA will only fund one proposal per investigator at a time. Researchers currently receiving support from the BCRFA are not eligible.

Notice to UAB Researchers: Investigators affiliated with the University of Alabama at Birmingham should apply for BCRFA support through the O’Neal Invests grant cycles unless a project falls outside of the O’Neal Invests categories, or for the Catalyst Award if eligible.

Proposal Requirements

 Completed BCRFA proposal cover page including:

• Descriptive title of the research project
• Award submission category (Two-Year Research Grant or Single-Year Catalyst Award)
• Applicants should select category: basic science or population science
• Contact information of primary investigators and co-PIs
• Co-Is should be listed as investigators/key personnel, not as co-PIs
• Layman’s Abstract of project, including hypothesis, relevance, significance, and innovation
• Impact/Results from past BCRFA support

Project overview, including:

• Specific aims, background, and key data to support your hypothesis (figures/graphs may be used within page limitations)
• Description of how you will test the hypothesis
• Summary of expected outcomes and how completion of this project could support a future grant application

Project budget (NIH template or other format accepted) noting specifically how BCRFA funds will be utilized

• Application page limit: 3-page limitation for project overview. Cover page, budget, references, and biographical sketches are not included in the page count.
• Submission procedure: Submit proposal as a single PDF to [email protected].

Proposal Submission and Funding Timeline

• Proposals will be accepted between August 1 – October 1, 2026. Please note: Late submissions will not be accepted under any circumstance.
• BCRFA RFP Q & A session via Zoom: Wednesday, August 5, 1-2 pm
  • Contact Beth at [email protected]  to receive the link to the session and participate
• Deadline for Pre-Review Option for Catalyst Award Applicants: September 1, 2026
• Grant Award Notifications: December 1, 2026
• Funds Disbursement: December 15, 2026

Reporting

Grant recipients will be required to submit a progress and funding utilization report within nine months of receipt of funds. All publications and presentations must acknowledge BCRFA funding.

Contact for Submission + Questions 

All proposals and questions should be sent to:

Beth Davis, President & CEO  |  [email protected]  |  (205) 413-4600