Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Rising Innovator Research Grants, in Partnership with Pelotonia & AACR
The Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women's Cancers was established to accelerate innovation in cancer research for women, by women. This groundbreaking initiative will fund innovative research aimed at progressing outcomes for women's cancers and invest in the next generation of women scientists who represent the diverse population they serve. By focusing on prevention, detection, diagnostic, and treatment innovations for women’s cancers and advancing outcomes for cancer health disparities, Victoria’s Secret aims to improve and save the lives of millions of women around the world.
The Fund builds upon Victoria's Secret’s established commitment toward cancer research and education, with longstanding impact partner, Pelotonia. Through a transformational partnership with Pelotonia and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), The Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women's Cancers is proud to offer a series of grants programs for female researchers and clinicians working internationally, and at various stages of their careers. To learn more please visit pelotonia.org/vsfund.
The Victoria’s Secret Global Fund for Women’s Cancers Rising Innovator Research Grant, in Partnership with Pelotonia & AACR, is intended to fund innovative research projects in breast and gynecologic cancers and to invest in female scientists at the Associate Professor level domestically and globally to foster innovation in the understanding, prevention, interception, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of these cancers with the goal of eliminating cancer health disparities and improving patient outcomes. Proposed projects may be in basic, translational, clinical, or population sciences. Proposals focused on research into the causes of cancer health disparities and approaches to achieve equity in outcomes as well as applicants belonging to racial or ethnic groups shown to be underrepresented in the cancer-related sciences workforce* are especially encouraged (AACR Cancer Disparities Progress Report 2024).
*For U.S. applicants, these groups include Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. For international applicants, these groups include citizens or permanent residents of countries building cancer research capacities (AACR Eligible Country List) who currently reside in one of those countries. Individual demographic information must be provided during application.
This grant provides $700,000 over three years for expenses related to the research project, which may include salary and benefits of the grant recipient (who must devote at least 75% of their total research effort to breast or a gynecologic cancer), collaborators, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, graduate students (including tuition costs associated with graduate students’ education and training), and/or research assistants; research/laboratory supplies; equipment; travel; publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project; and other research expenses. Indirect expenses are not allowed.
Please review all Program Guidelines and Competitive Letter of Intent Instructions before submitting a Letter of Intent.
Proposed projects may be in basic, translational, clinical, or population sciences and must have direct applicability and relevance to the understanding, prevention, interception, early detection, diagnosis, or treatment of breast or a gynecologic cancer. Proposals focused on research that aims to advance the science of cancer health disparities are especially encouraged.
Applicants must be female investigators with a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral degree. Applicants must also have received their first NIH R01 (or equivalent) award within the past 10 years (i.e., grant cannot have been awarded before September 1, 2015).
An exception to the 10-year window may be granted for parental leave or other well-justified leave from research for pressing personal or family situations of generally less than 12 months’ duration. Applicants whose experience exceeds the maximum of 10 years but who believe they are eligible should contact the AACR’s RGA before submitting an application to verify their eligibility.
For the purpose of this grant, an R01 equivalent grant is defined as a grant that offers at least $250,000 (direct costs) per year for more than three years and must have undergone a peer-review process by active researchers and physician-scientists.
Applicants belonging to racial or ethnic groups shown to be underrepresented in the cancer-related sciences workforce* are especially encouraged to apply.
*For U.S. applicants, these groups include Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders. For international applicants, these groups include citizens or permanent residents of countries building cancer research capacities (AACR Eligible Country List) who currently reside in one of those countries. Individual demographic information must be provided during application.
At the start of the grant term on September 1, 2025, applicants must:
- Hold an appointment at the rank of associate professor
- If eligibility is based on a future position, the applicant must contact the AACR’s Research and Grants Administration (RGA) Department at [email protected] before submitting their application for information on additional verification materials/signatures that may be required.
- Must devote at least 75% of their total effort to research in breast or a gynecologic cancer.
- Work at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world
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 the visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project and grant term at the institution from which they applied.
Applicants must be AACR Active members in good standing (dues paid for the current year). Please be informed that no dues are required for members located in countries building cancer research capacities (view list of eligible countries here). 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. 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 submit an online Letter of Intent by 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, January 23, 2025, using the ProposalCentral website at https://ProposalCentral.com.
Please read all Program Guidelines and Competitive Letter of Intent Instructions before submitting an application.