Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center
University of Nebraska Medical Center

Internal Funding

A variety of pilot funding and research seed funding opportunities are available to researchers and clinician scientists. Funding opportunities are available across research areas, including basic, translational, clinical trials, population science, and community outreach and engagement.  

Funding ranges from $25,000 to $150,000, depending on the funding program. Please refer to the individual Request for Applications (RFAs) for details.

Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center funding opportunities support innovative cancer research and help advance new ideas across the Cancer Center. View previously funded pilot projects. 

For questions related to funding opportunities, contact buffettcancercenter@unmc.edu. Explore open funding opportunities and submit an application through InfoReady.

 

Submit Your Application 

 

Pilot Funding

The American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS IRG) Pilot Award administered by the Cancer Center supports early-stage investigators.  

  • Funding period: 1-year project period 
  • Funding cycle: Application is expected to open in October, subject to changes in the funding schedule. 

The Community Outreach and Engagement (COE) Pilot Project Program supports research informed or advised by community members in the Catchment Area (Nebraska). Projects must address the Catchment Area priority cancers (brain, breast, GI [colorectal, pancreatic], lung, and prostate), and have potential to lead to peer-reviewed external funding.   

  • Funding period: 1-year project period 
  • Funding cycle: Application is expected to open in March, subject to changes in the funding schedule. 

The Cancer Prevention and Control Program (CPCP) Pilot Grant supports innovative cancer prevention and control projects aligned with the program's three aims:  

  • Understanding cancer risk factors 
  • Developing novel screening/prevention methods 
  • Improving survivor outcomes

With a special emphasis on community-engaged research, priority cancers (brain, breast, GI [colorectal, pancreatic], lung, and prostate), and the Cancer Center’s strategic themes. 

  • Funding period: 1-year project period  
  • Funding cycle: Application is expected to open in May, subject to changes in the funding schedule. 

The High-Risk, High-Reward Pilot Projects Program sponsors high-quality, innovative, cancer-focused research aligned with the Cancer Center's Strategic Plan. The program supports researchers to generate preliminary data that strengthens future applications for external funding.  

  • Funding period: 1-year project period 
  • Funding cycle: Application is expected to open in May, subject to changes in the funding schedule. 

The R01 Investment Program supports members who have applied for a cancer-focused NIH R01, received an encouraging score that is below the funding threshold, and are working toward resubmission. The program provides funding to help generate additional data needed for successful resubmission. 

  • Funding period: 1-year project period 
  • Funding cycle: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

The Translational Partnerships Awards Program supports collaborative translational cancer research that advances the development of innovative cancer therapies and generates preliminary preclinical data.

The program fosters partnerships between basic and clinical cancer researchers, with priority given to projects addressing Catchment Area priority cancers (brain, breast, GI [colorectal, pancreatic], lung, and prostate), and advancing investigator-initiated clinical interventional treatment trials.

  • Funding period: 1-year project period  
  • Funding cycle: Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. 

Translational Partnerships Awards Program Pilot Funding Process

The Translational Partnerships Awards Program will continue to pilot fund projects on a rolling basis. Funding for Translational Working Groups (TWGs) covering the five disease focus areas (brain, breast, GI [colorectal, pancreatic], lung, and prostate cancers) will be administered through the working group structure using the process outlined below:
 
1.Translational Working Groups (TWGs) and Pitch Development
Investigators from the Cancer Biology Program (CBP) and the Cancer Prevention and Control Program (CPCP) will form a team with Translational Cancer Research Program (TCRP) members to present and discuss project concepts within the appropriate TWG. Discussions will include:
  • Research findings and scientific rationale
  • Identify targets
  • Develop a “pitch”
2. Present to the Therapeutic Vetting Panel
The project pitch will be presented to the Therapeutic Vetting Panel for feedback and strategic guidance. Panel discussions will include:
  •   Evaluation of the scientific concept
  •   Feedback on translational potential
  •   Strategy development
  •   Recommended milestones and timelines
  •   Budget recommendations
3. Develop the Translational Partnerships Pilot Proposal
Based on panel feedback, the team will develop a Request for Applications (RFA) proposal for Translational Partnerships Pilot funding.
 
4. Apply for Pilot Funding
Finalized projects may then be submitted for Investigator-Initiated Trials Pilot funding.
 

The Team Science Awards Program supports collaborative, cross-disciplinary cancer research projects that catalyze the development of multi-component grant applications, including program project (NIH P awards) and cooperative agreement (NIH U awards) funding mechanisms. The program is designed to strengthen research collaborations and position investigators for successful external funding.  

  • Funding period: 1-year project period 
  • Funding cycle: Announced periodically  

Research Program Seed Funding

The Cancer Prevention and Control Program (CPCP) Seed Grant is designed to spark innovative research aligning with CPCP’s scientific goals and to foster productive and sustainable collaborations across CPCP and throughout the Cancer Center community. 
  • Project period: 1-year project period 
  • Funding cycle: Application is expected to open in October, subject to changes in the funding schedule. 
The Cancer Biology Program (CBP) Seed Grant supports sustainable intra-programmatic collaborations aligned with CBP’s scientific goals. The seed grant is open to current CBP full members. The number of awards and funding support may vary by funding cycle. 
  • Funding period: 1-year project period 
  • Funding cycle: Application is expected to open in January, subject to changes in the funding schedule. 

The Translational Cancer Research Program (TCRP) Seed Grant is designed to foster sustainable intra-programmatic collaborations across the TCRP. All proposals must directly align with at least one TCRP specific aim and at least one Cancer Center transdisciplinary theme. Contact PI must be a current TCRP full member. 

  • Funding period: 1-year project period  
  • Funding cycle: Application is expected to open in March, subject to changes in the funding schedule.