About the Program
Building the Infrastructure for a Cure
How the Kyra Gupta Research Grant works, who runs it, and how we stay accountable.
Our Mission
Care • Community • Cure
Kyra's Hope Foundation exists to bring hope, dignity, and comfort to children facing cancer. Our work spans three pillars: Care (direct support for families), Community (awareness and connection), and Cure (research funding and acceleration).
The Kyra Gupta Research Grant lives under the Cure pillar. It accelerates pediatric cancer research through two mechanisms: direct research funding and technology talent grants (the Kyra's Hope Fellowship). We believe that combining capital with computational expertise is the unique leverage point, many labs need both money and engineering support to translate discoveries into clinical progress.
We complement existing organizations, not compete with them. We focus on a specific gap: helping research move faster by combining funding with embedded technical expertise, particularly in rare childhood cancers like Ewing sarcoma where progress has been slow.
Theory of Change
How we believe progress accelerates.
1. Inputs
Funding + Technical expertise + Family grounding
We provide direct research funding for underfunded rare-cancer work, embed structured engineering and AI talent into research teams, and stay close to families so the work remains grounded in real urgency.
2. Mechanism
Acceleration of existing research
We do not direct the science. Instead, we remove specific bottlenecks that slow research: data pipelines, computational analysis, ML model development, and the capital costs that prevent pilot studies from happening.
3. Outcome
Faster path to therapies for rare childhood cancers
Measured by grants awarded, translational milestones reached, research time saved, workflow improvements, and papers co-authored. Over 3–5 years: meaningful contributions to clinical pathways for rare pediatric cancers.
We are early. Our goal at this stage is not to make broad claims, but to demonstrate measurable improvements in how research moves forward. Each project creates value beyond a single engagement through reusable tools and systems.
End-to-End Model
How It Works
Funding Track
Letter of Intent
Peer review
Notice of Award
Project execution
Annual reporting
Technology Talent Track
Researcher applies
Foundation scopes
Volunteers matched
Team builds
Demo Day
Research Leadership
Who runs the research program.
The research mission is led by Kyra's legacy and guided by scientific advisors with deep expertise in pediatric oncology. We do not direct the science ourselves; we support work led by experienced researchers and institutions.
Scientific Advisors
“We are deeply grateful to the Kyra’s Hope Foundation for raising awareness and support for rare and underfunded cancers such as Ewing sarcoma, where there remains an urgent and unmet need for more effective and less toxic treatments. Focused initiatives like these are critical for accelerating research and advancing transformative discoveries in honor of Kyra and all the children, adolescents, and young adults, whose lives were lost far too early.”
Shireen Ganapathi
Pediatric Oncologist & Postdoc Researcher, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
Researchers and clinicians interested in advisory roles: research@kyrashope.org
The research program is one part of a broader foundation.
Meet the full foundation team →Scientific Credibility & Partners
We work alongside, not in competition with, established childhood cancer foundations. Our partners bring rigorous scientific advisory infrastructure that strengthens how we evaluate and support research.
Governance & Transparency
Built to be trusted.
Kyra's Hope Foundation is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit (EIN: 41-2583689) with Candid's Platinum Seal of Transparency. The foundation operates with a board of directors and financial oversight including independent CPA review. Scientific advisory partnerships are forming, as described in the Research Leadership section above.
Project selection prioritizes scientific rigor, translational potential, and the urgency of unmet need. Cash-grant proposals undergo NIH-style peer review by our Scientific Advisory Board and require valid IRB/IACUC approvals before disbursement. We do not generate or direct the science ourselves; we support work led by experienced researchers and institutions.
View Financial ReportsGrounded in Real Families
Why this stays close to home.
Our research work stays closely connected to children and families facing childhood cancer. Their experience keeps the work grounded in real needs and real urgency, not abstractions or statistics.
If you're a family navigating childhood cancer, our foundation offers comfort, support, and connection alongside the research mission.
Family support →Frequently Asked Questions
Have a question? We've answered the common ones.
Topics covered include: how we ensure scientific credibility, NIH-style peer review and review cycles, indirect costs and multi-year awards, why we focus on Ewing sarcoma, how this differs from larger cancer charities, how donations are used, what researchers and fellows commit to, and how the program scales over time.
Read the full FAQContact