The V Foundation seeks to support translational research projects within the scope of adult cancer research, specifically in the focus area of early detection of cancer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many routine cancer screenings were missed, especially routine screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate and lung cancer. These failed screenings resulted in much later detection of these and other cancers, increasing the death rate. Researchers estimate that 25% fewer cancers were detected due to these missed screenings. Better early detection methods are needed for all cancer types. Some examples of early detection research areas include better liquid biopsy detection methods, better imaging techniques, better at-home assays and identification of better early warning cancer signals. We welcome new areas of research and innovative ideas in the early detection area outside of those listed here. Even after the pandemic recedes, there are likely to be persistent health disparities related to screening failures associated with socioeconomic factors. Some cancers, like colon cancer, have worse outcomes in minorities due in part to late diagnosis. We encourage cross disciplinary research, including expertise from other disciplines (for example: bioinformatics, computational scientists, or engineers) as applicable to the research. Translational projects should move a novel strategy from the bench to clinical application. The research should apply in some direct way to human beings within the time frame of less than 3 years. If biomarker research is undertaken, a validation set or independent clinical trial is essential. A plan for biomarker validation, if applicable, must be included in any proposal.