RTFCCR and and LUNGevity Launch New Research Funding Opportunity to Tackle Lung Cancer Recurrence and Treatment Resistance 

January 20, 2026

The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) and the LUNGevity Foundation have announced a new joint Request for Applications (RFA) to accelerate clinical innovations in lung cancer by supporting interventional trials that address two of the field’s most urgent challenges: overcoming treatment resistance and detecting disease recurrence. The deadline for applications is February 15th, 2026.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. While advances in targeted therapies and immunotherapies have improved outcomes, many patients still face the emergence of treatment resistance or disease progression after initial treatment success. According to the RFA, there is a critical lack of tools to proactively detect resistance to therapy, making earlier intervention difficult.

Funding Overview

The RTFCCR/LUNGevity Award will provide up to USD 1,000,000 per funded project—USD 500,000 from each foundation—to support early-phase interventional clinical trials over a period of up to four years. The partners anticipate funding at least one award through this mechanism.

Eligible projects must focus on one or more of the following areas:

• Treatments to prevent or address resistance to lung cancer therapies
• Improvement or validation of lab-developed tests (LDTs) to monitor treatment response or emergence of resistance
• Technologies enabling earlier detection of recurrence, including diagnostics that can be applied across any stage or histology of lung cancer

Applications must include a full clinical protocol that is IRB-approved, IRB-submitted, or ready for submission. Access to a biobank is required for projects involving LDT development.

A Patient-Centered Approach

RTFCCR and LUNGevity emphasize patient engagement as a core element of the call. Applications must include a Patient Partner Involvement Plan, ensuring that patient advocates or organizations contribute meaningfully to study design, execution, and dissemination.

Application Process

The award will be administered through RTFCCR’s SmartSimple online platform, and applicants are strongly encouraged to review all eligibility criteria and submission guidelines before applying.