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Intramural Funding Opportunities



Supporting the next big idea

MUSC Hollings Cancer Center offers a number of intramural support opportunities for faculty conducting cancer-related research and clinical services. These funding opportunities foster and facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative thinking, translational research, and the highest level of academic medicine. They are also intended to catalyze promising cancer research that aligns with our strategic priority focus areas (PDF) and demonstrates strong potential for future extramural support.

For questions about funding opportunities, please contact Bennett Jones (jonesben@musc.edu). Visit our education and training page for details on Hollings training grant opportunities for students and postdoctoral trainees.

Funding for many of our pilot awards comes from our annual LOWVELO bike ride event. All awarded researchers are encouraged to participate.

Spring 2026 Funding Opportunities

Applications will be accepted Nov. 3, 2025 – Feb. 27, 2026.

Purpose: To foster new and successful partnerships between members of the Cancer Prevention & Control research program and both the Cancer Biology & Immunology and Developmental Cancer Therapeutics research programs.

Budget: Up to $50,000; 12 months

Learn more & apply

Purpose: To stimulate cancer-related discoveries with strong potential for commercial development and translational applications.

Budget: Up to $50,000; 12 months

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Purpose: To stimulate bold, innovative cancer research with the potential to transform oncology practice and outcomes. Idea awards provide early funding support for high-risk, high-reward projects that may not yet be competitive for traditional funding. Priority will be given to junior investigators.

Budget: Up to $50,000; 12 months

Learn more & apply

Fall 2026 Funding Opportunities

Applications will be accepted Nov. 3, 2025 – July 27, 2026.

Purpose: To support innovative cancer research across the spectrum of basic, translational, clinical, and population science that directly responds to needs identified by community members and local stakeholders.

Budget: Up to $50,000; 12 months

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Purpose: To stimulate research addressing the physical, psychosocial, and economic challenges faced by cancer survivors and their caregivers.

Budget: Up to $50,000; 12 months

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Purpose: To stimulate the development of high-quality, collaborative cancer research by bringing together a minimum of three investigators across disciplines. Projects with translational potential are encouraged, but not mandatory. Inter-programmatic and inter-institutional teams are highly encouraged.

Budget: Up to $150,000 per year for up to two years

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Additional Funding Opportunities

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Purpose: As a recipient of the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS IRG), Hollings provides small pilot research funding to beginning investigators who have not yet achieved independent funding at the national level. The intent is to support these junior faculty in initiating cancer research projects so they can obtain preliminary results that will enable them to compete successfully for national research grants.

Budget: Up to $50,000; 12 months

ACS IRG Award

Applications are received and reviewed on a rolling basis. There is no set deadline.

Purpose: To provide pilot funding for projects that would be used to add preliminary or supportive data for the direct development of a grant submission, grant resubmission, or funded clinical trial. This mechanism is designed for the practical review and rapid funding of proposals.

Budget: Between $5,000-$25,000; 12 months

Learn more & apply

Applications are not being accepted at this time.

Background: Mrs. Judith Green generously established the Mark R. Green, M.D., Young Investigator Award in honor of her late husband Dr. Mark Green, former director of MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Dr. Green was an important figure in the development of medical oncology and played a pivotal role in the history of Hollings Cancer Center and Moores Cancer Center at the University of California San Diego.

Dr. Green was recognized as a preeminent clinical investigator, clinician, teacher and mentor. A highly respected leader in the field of oncology, he contributed significantly to the understanding and treatment of solid tumors. Dr. Green’s research focused on clinical trials of new therapies for treating lung and pancreatic cancer. He was widely published and his impactful research improved cancer treatments, which made a difference in the lives of thousands of cancer patients worldwide.

In 1996, Dr. Green joined MUSC as the director of Hollings Cancer Center and the Mary M. Gilbreth Professor of Oncology. He served as director until 2000, and during this period, he made important contributions to the development of the cancer center in its early stages. He retired from the full-time MUSC faculty as a Professor Emeritus in 2004. In 2011, the Mark R. Green, M.D., Distinguished Endowed Visiting Professorship in Thoracic Oncology was established in honor of his contributions to Hollings and the field of thoracic oncology.

Purpose: To provide support for young investigators working in a cancer field to pursue advanced research opportunities through participation in supplemental learning experiences, such as research-focused workshops, retreats, or symposia, where they can receive feedback on their research discoveries. The projected outcomes from this support are to enhance the career development of the junior investigators and gain insights about their research from national and international leaders. These outcomes will, in turn, lead to additional research innovations and funding opportunities, further enhancing their career development.

Budget: Up to $15,000; 12 months

Young Investigator Award

Hollings Support Request

Hollings considers requests for support from members and other MUSC faculty. The request could be for funding, space, a new initiative, etc. To submit a request, use the link below. Strong preference is given to requests that will help the cancer center achieve comprehensive status.

These requests will be reviewed quarterly by Hollings leadership.

Hollings Support Request

Extramural Funding

A number of extramural funding opportunities are available for those interested in cancer-related research. A sampling of external funding agencies can be found below.