Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation Grant

Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation Grant is sponsored by Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. Provides funding for programs or projects that reduce cancer risk, build awareness, and support cancer research, with preference given to initiatives in Wisconsin.

Grant Funding — Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation 2026 Application Now Open Apply through July 31 using the form below. The Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation funds innovative research, prevention initiatives, and patient support programs for all types of adult and pediatric cancer.

In alignment with our mission to prevent cancer, provide superior care to patients, and find a cure , all applications are divided into three categories: Prevent : funding for programs or projects that reduce risk factors to prevent cancer, build awareness of cancer symptoms and screening recommendations, help detect cancer in its earliest stages, and bring screening procedures to more people in our home state of Wisconsin.

Care : supporting the best care possible for our neighbors, friends, and family in Wisconsin during their cancer treatment journeys and beyond. Cure : catalytic funding for innovative, early stage scientific and clinical research working to improve therapies and find a cure for cancer, with preference given to research in Wisconsin.

Upon the close of the application period on July 31, all applications are reviewed by our Medical Advisory Committee and patient advocates. Their recommendations are reviewed by the Board of Directors, who approve the final awards. In the past five years, awards have averaged $60,000 to a program, and in the past three years, awards ranged from $10,000 to $85,000.

Read about the 2025 awarded projects here . In addition to aligning with the three categories outlined above, successful applicants adhere to the following guidelines. While multi-year funding will not be awarded, awardees are welcome to reapply for funding in subsequent years.

The award dates are from January 1, 2027, through December 31, 2027. If awarded, the funds may not be applied toward intangible (or indirect) costs. The Foundation is interested in innovative research and treatment programs, and if your program falls outside these parameters but has the potential to provide transformational therapies, please contact us to see if you could be considered.

Recipients must be 501c3 nonprofit organizations, with preference for programs based in Wisconsin Individuals or families will not be considered. Capital campaigns will not be considered; capital expenses, such as new equipment, are eligible. Funds will not be granted to create new staff positions.

Staff salaries may be part of the overall program budget but not the full amount of the request. Basic science and clinical research funding is intended for projects in the pre-preliminary phase. Applications that already possess sufficient data for a standard NIH exploratory mechanism are discouraged.

Previous and current grant recipients are eligible to reapply for funding. Application open May 1 – July 31, 2026 Submissions reviewed in Fall 2026 Awards announced in December 2026 Funding period January 1 – December 31, 2027 Funding recipients will be requested to share an overview of their work at a reception in January 2027, either in-person or via recording, and are invited to VLCF functions throughout the year.

Collaboration between the funded organization and VLCF to highlight and promote the award is encouraged. To be eligible for future funding, awarded programs are required to submit a mid-year progress report in June 2027 and a final report in December 2027. Recognition of VLCF's support is requested in online and print publications related to the funded program.