The Cancer Research Support Grant, funded by the Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN), supports the development and implementation of interventional cancer clinical trials across MNCCTN partner sites statewide. Funded by the Minnesota State Legislature through MnDRIVE, the grant offers three funding pathways: Therapeutic Trial Extension, Expanding Opportunities, and Investigator-Initiated Non-Therapeutic Trials.

The program aims to broaden clinical trial access and reach populations with high cancer burden or limited representation in research. Applicants must submit a Statement of Intent by April 26, 2026. Virtual information sessions are scheduled for March and April 2026 to assist prospective applicants.

The Minnesota Cancer Clinical Trials Network (MNCCTN) supports cancer-focused research that expands access to clinical trials and strengthens research capacity across Minnesota. Funded by the Minnesota State Legislature through MnDRIVE, MNCCTN operates as a statewide hub network, connecting academic research partners with community oncology sites to bring clinical trials closer to where Minnesotans live and receive care.

Through its annual grant program, MNCCTN invests in projects that address Minnesota’s unique cancer burden, foster community-engaged research, and expand a culture of clinical research across the state. All questions and inquiries should be directed to: [email protected] . 2026-2027 Grant Information Sessions Virtual information sessions for individuals interested in applying for one of the grants will be held on Zoom.

Registration is required. You may register in advance or the day of the session. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email with instructions for joining the meeting.

Wednesday, March 25, 2026 | 9-10am Register for the March 25 Info Session Wednesday, April 1, 2026 | 12-1pm Register for the April 1 Info Session Monday, April 6, 2026 | 10-11am Register for the April 6 Info Session Cancer Research Support Grant Supports the development and implementation of interventional cancer clinical trials across MNCCTN partner sites.

Funding is available across three pathways: Therapeutic Trial Extension, Expanding Opportunities, and Investigator-Initiated Non-Therapeutic Trials, to broaden trial access and reach populations with high cancer burden or limited representation in research. Email your Statement of Intent to [email protected] by Sunday, April 26, 2026.

How to Submit a Statement of Intent This brief statement and any additional attachments must be submitted to the MNCCTN Coordinating Center by Sunday, April 26 at 10 p. m. Statement of intent must include all overview elements detailed below, plus the relevant pathway sections.

Principal Investigator’s name, organization, brief summary of research experience Co-Investigator’s name(s) and organizations, if applicable One paragraph summary of the trial concept Therapeutic Trial Extension - include the current protocol of existing trial Expanding Opportunities - include a Letter of Support from a planned clinical site if the intent is to open the study at a non-MNCCTN site For more information on proposal requirements, timeline, review criteria, and more, view the full RFA document .

Discovery & Planning Grant Provides funding to develop community-driven cancer research in partnership with Minnesota-based communities. Projects should result in a collaboratively developed research proposal ready for pilot testing within the MNCCTN network. Application deadline: Sunday, May 31, 2026.

Application link will be available by April, 2026. For more information on proposal requirements, timeline, review criteria, and more, view the full RFA document . Do all grant-funded trials need to open through the Network?

The “Expanding Opportunities” pathway does not need to open at MNCCTN sites. All trials are required to enroll participants in Minnesota. If a trial is open through MNCCTN at MNCCTN sites, can I also enroll my own patients at a non-MNCCTN site?

Yes, but you would need to have outside funding to support and manage enrollment at non-MNCCTN sites. My proposal might be considered Quality Improvement or administrative in nature, what should I do? Quality improvement or administrative-related studies will not be funded.

If your idea is in a grey area, email MNCCTN to discuss the details ( [email protected] ). For awards requiring collaboration with community partners, is there a definition for what this means? We use the Spectrum of Community Engagement to Ownership framework , which defines engagement on a spectrum from limited involvement to full collaboration.

We seek proposals to deepen community engagement from any starting point across this spectrum. Are there definitions for what MNCCTN considers Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, or Justice focused?

Per the NIH definition “"An underrepresented population refers to a subgroup of the population whose representation is disproportionately low relative to their numbers in the general population, or in the case of clinical trials or patient registries, disease population.

The subgroup may be identified by race, ethnicity, age, sex, gender, socioeconomic status, etc.” I have an idea but no idea how to write a protocol or set up a statistical design - what do I do? Resources and support can be provided. Reach out to MNCCTN at [email protected] .

Another option is to check for the FDA’s next Clinical Investigator Training Course. The Cancer Research Support grant requires a Statement of Intent emailed to [email protected] . Upon completion of the Advocate Consultation, applicants will receive a link to apply online via InfoReady.

The Discovery & Planning grant will have an active InfoReady application link on this site by March, 2026. I have a project/trial currently underway. Can I apply for MNCCTN funding to expand my work?

The Therapeutic Trial Expansion pathway is the only grant that allows for research work to already be underway. What does the grant actually pay for? The full RFA documents for each award will explain this.

Research staff time is covered at MNCCTN sites. If there are questions, reach out to us at [email protected] . I have secured some funding for my project.

Can I still apply? Extra funding must be disclosed and proposals without additional funding will be given priority. Is there a licensure requirement for applicants?

Applications will be judged based on applicant experience and not on credentials. All appropriate applicants will be considered. This is exciting, but I'm not ready to submit this year, will these funds be available next year?

Awards will be offered regularly but some may not be offered every year.

Abbie Begnaud, MD: " Strengthening Relationships Between UMN and Faith-Based Service Organizations to Reduce Cancer Disparities in Vulnerable Communities in Minnesota“ Annie Lin, PhD, RD: "Gutcheck: Optimization of a Personalized Mobile Health App for Colorectal Cancer" Abbie Begnaud, MD: "Increasing Lung Cancer Screening Through Multi-Site Screening Facilitation" Haeshik Gorr, MD: "Increasing Lung Cancer Screening Through Implementation Facilitation in a Safety Net Health System,” Arjun Gupta, MD: “Evaluating the Time Burdens of Home-Based Cancer Care" Stacy D'Andre, MD: “Reishi Mushroom for Treating Aromatase Inhibitor-associated Toxicities: A Double-blind, Randomized Phase 2 Trial" Essentia Health & AICAF: "Use of a Clinical Trial Cultural Awareness Tool to Address Organizations Cultural Awareness with American Indian/ Alaska Native-Pilot Project" Aasma Shaukat, MD, MPH: "Implementation of proactive colon cancer screening program for the Native American community" Amit Kulkarni, MBBS: "A Phase-2 trial testing the safety and feasibility of Restorative Microbiota Therapy (RMT) in patients with steroid refractory severe immune-checkpoint inhibitor induced colitis" Jesus Vera Aguilera, MD: "Colchicine for the Management of BRAF/MEK Inhibitor Associated Pyrexia" MNCCTN Quarterly Newsletter