The Mary Kay Ash Foundation® is a non-profit public foundation, which focuses on funding research for innovative grants for translational research of cancers predominantly affecting women (breast, ovarian, uterine, endometrial or cervical cancer among others). Translational research is broadly defined as research that will provide a scientific link between laboratory research and the clinic. Such research would lead to improvement in diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, or treatment of the cancer.
Grants are by invitation only.
One grant application will be accepted from each accredited cancer research institute or medical school. It is up to each institute to conduct an internal review process to determine their applicant. No exceptions.
Deadlines:
- Duke Internal: Applications due to DCI by Dec. 15, 2025
- Application Deadline: Feb. 1, 2026
Principal Investigator must be appointed a full-time assistant professor or higher at the time of application submission and commit a minimum 5% effort.
Recipients will receive a $100,000 grant (combined direct and indirect costs) over a two-year period. The Foundation anticipates funding between 10 and 15 grants.
To be considered for nomination, please submit the following documents in one PDF to https://app.smartsheet.com/b/form/019aa136042b72b88b5ea9e9e129b61f by 5:00 PM on December 15, 2025. The DCI’s Scientific Review Committee will review all internal applications and select the nominee.
Required Documents:
- A 2-page project description, including:
- Title of the proposed project
- Applicant’s eligibility
- Project/performance site
- Budget and budget justification
- NIH biosketch of the applicant