Hirshberg Seed Grant Program

The Hirshberg Foundation for Pancreatic Cancer Research offers a Seed Grant Program aimed at advancing pancreatic cancer research. This program has been in operation since 2005 and is designed to provide initial funding to basic and clinical scientists and investigators. The foundation's mission is to support innovative research projects that seek to improve diagnosis, develop new treatment modalities, and enhance the understanding of pancreatic cancer cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, morphology, and response to therapy. The foundation also aims to facilitate collaborations within the field that could lead to further funding opportunities. The Seed Grant Program funds research in several critical areas, including treatment and therapy, patient care, early diagnosis and detection, cancer biology, basic science, prevention, metabolism, and research core facilities. The program offers an award amount of $75,000 for a duration of one year, with the possibility of a no-cost extension for an additional year. It is important to note that no indirect costs are provided, and salary support for mentors cannot be requested. Eligibility for the Seed Grant is open to academic researchers from US academic institutions and research organizations, including research-track and clinical-track faculty, staff scientists, and post-doctoral trainees. Each grant must have a single principal investigator, and while collaborative projects are encouraged, multi-PI applications are not allowed. Applicants without independent research programs must have the support of a senior mentor with a track record in pancreatic cancer research. The application process requires the submission of several documents compiled into a single PDF file. These include an application cover page, a title and abstract, a three-page research plan, references, and documents related to vertebrate animals and human subjects if applicable. Additionally, the investigator’s and mentor’s NIH biosketch, other support documents, a mentor’s support letter, and a budget justification are required. Administrative requirements include providing contact information for the finance or grant manager, a high-resolution headshot photo, and a layperson summary of the project. Applications are reviewed and scored by a panel of experts, including members of the Hirshberg Foundation Scientific Advisory Board. The selection process considers scientific merit scores and the foundation's programmatic priorities. Award recipients must submit a final report within three months of completing the grant and may apply for additional travel support for presenting their work at conferences. The submission deadline for the Seed Grant is August 15, 2025, with award notifications in November 2025. The earliest start date for the award is also in November 2025. For further assistance, applicants can refer to the foundation's FAQ page or contact them via email at [email protected].