For Researchers
Funding and technical expertise to advance your research.
The Kyra Gupta Research Grant supports your lab with direct funding, a dedicated engineering team, or both. Promising discoveries reach patients faster.
We do not replace your scientific direction. We add capital and computational firepower to research you are already leading.
At a Glance
Compare the two tracks
Two ways to apply. You can pursue one track or both.
Cash Grant Track
Direct funding for your researchTechnology Grant Track
A team of 3–5 engineers + Tech Lead for 6 months (520–780 hours)Cash Grant Track
1–3 yearsTechnology Grant Track
6 months (one cohort)Cash Grant Track
Direct costs onlyTechnology Grant Track
N/A (in-kind talent)Cash Grant Track
NIH-style peer review by our Scientific Advisory BoardTechnology Grant Track
Discovery call + project scopingCash Grant Track
Standing review cyclesTechnology Grant Track
Cohort-basedCash Grant Track
Letter of IntentTechnology Grant Track
Expression of InterestThe Grant
What the Grant Provides
Each track offers a distinct form of support. Both can be combined.
Cash Grant Track
Direct research funding
- Direct research funding for pilot studies, translational research, reagents, sequencing, personnel effort, and other costs that move your work toward clinical impact.
- 1–3 year project periods, with renewals considered case-by-case.
- Direct costs only (no indirect costs or F&A).
Technology Grant Track
Embedded engineering team
- A dedicated team of 3–5 engineers plus a senior Tech Lead embedded with your lab for 6 months.
- 520–780 hours of skilled technical work, equivalent to 3–4 months of a full-time engineer.
- Infrastructure support: cloud compute, dev tools, and ML platform access as needed.
Funding Priorities
What we fund
Use this to gauge mission fit before investing time in an application.
- Rare childhood cancers, particularly sarcomas (Ewing sarcoma, osteosarcoma, rhabdomyosarcoma)
- Translational research that moves discoveries toward clinical impact
- Projects where funding plus computational expertise unlocks faster progress
- Work led by PIs at accredited universities, research institutes, or children’s hospitals
“There remains an urgent and unmet need for more effective and less toxic treatments. Focused initiatives like these are critical for accelerating research.”
Shireen Ganapathi
Pediatric Oncologist & Postdoc Researcher, Seattle Children’s Research Institute
Eligibility
Who Should Apply
General eligibility (both tracks)
- Affiliated with an accredited university, research institute, or children’s hospital
- Working on rare pediatric cancer research (especially sarcomas) or adjacent pediatric cancer research
- Have a clear research objective that could benefit from funding, computational support, or both
- Willing to designate a point of contact for regular engagement with the foundation
Technology Track only
- Able to provide de-identified data for the engineering team
- Able to participate in a 6-month cohort engagement
Process
The Application Process
Two parallel tracks, depending on what your lab needs. The Cash Grant Track follows an NIH-style proposal and review process. You can apply to one or both.
Cash Grant Track
Letter of Intent
A short LOI (1–2 pages) submitted by the standing cycle deadline. Includes PI, institution, summary of Specific Aims, and a budget range. Non-binding. Mission-aligned LOIs are invited to submit a full proposal.
Full Proposal
Invited applicants submit an NIH-style package: Specific Aims (1 page), Research Strategy (Significance, Innovation, Approach), Preliminary Data, Biosketches, Budget & Justification, Timeline, and Facilities.
Scientific Peer Review
Our Scientific Advisory Board scores each proposal on the five NIH criteria, Significance, Investigator, Innovation, Approach, and Environment, and assigns an overall impact score. The PI receives a written Summary Statement.
Funding Decision & Notice of Award
Program staff weigh scored proposals against rare-childhood-cancer priorities and available budget, then issue a Notice of Award specifying terms, budget, and project period.
Project Execution & Reporting
Funds are disbursed against the awarded budget. The PI executes the work. Annual progress and financial reports keep the project accountable; a final outcomes report closes out the award.
Technology Grant Track
Expression of Interest
Submit a short form describing your research and computational needs (~20 minutes).
Discovery Call
A 60–90 minute call with our team to assess project fit and technical scope.
Project Scoping
We co-develop a Project Charter defining deliverables, timeline, and success criteria.
MOU & Grant Award
Both sides sign a Memorandum of Understanding formalizing the partnership.
Team Assignment & Kickoff
Your dedicated team is assembled, onboarded, and begins the 6-month engagement.
Timeline
Review Cycles & Timeline
Cash Grant Track
Standing review cycles, two per year. Typical timeline from Letter of Intent to Notice of Award is approximately four months:
- LOI deadline → invited full proposal (~4 weeks)
- Peer review (~6–8 weeks)
- Funding decision and Notice of Award (~4 weeks)
Technology Grant Track
Cohort-based intake. Expressions of Interest are reviewed on a rolling basis ahead of each cohort.
- Cohort 1: September 2026 – February 2027
- Discovery call + scoping ahead of cohort start
- MOU and team assignment before kickoff
Exact upcoming cycle dates will be published on this page.
Expectations
Your Commitments
Cash Grant Track (NIH-style)
- Submit annual progress reports (modeled on NIH RPPR)
- Submit financial reports per the Notice of Award schedule
- Acknowledge Kyra’s Hope Foundation in resulting publications
- Maintain IRB / IACUC approvals and comply with Notice of Award terms
- Notify program staff of changes in scope, key personnel, or timeline
Technology Grant Track
- Designate a point of contact available for regular check-ins with the team
- Provide de-identified data and domain documentation before the cohort starts
- Respond to team questions within 48 hours
- Participate in Demo Day at the end of the cohort
- Acknowledge the foundation and fellows in resulting publications
FAQ
Most-asked questions
Direct research funding (Cash Grant Track), technology talent through our Kyra’s Hope Fellowship (Technology Grant Track), or a combination of both, tailored to your lab’s needs.
No. Both funding and technology talent are provided at no cost to the lab.
Direct research costs: personnel effort, reagents, sequencing, supplies, equipment specific to the project, and publication fees. The foundation does not pay indirect costs / F&A; awards are direct costs only.
Yes. Project periods of 1–3 years are typical. Renewals are considered on a case-by-case basis based on outcomes and continued alignment with our funding priorities.
Cash Grant Track: standing review cycles, two per year (exact dates published on this page). Technology Grant Track: rolling intake ahead of each cohort.
Yes. Current and valid approvals, or a documented plan to obtain them, are required before disbursement.
For Technology Grant Track engagements, fellows only work with de-identified data. No patient data is shared with volunteers at any time.
Yes. Eligibility is based on accredited institutional affiliation. Some operational constraints may apply for cohort-based Technology Grants depending on time zone.