Apply to the Translational Research Program (TRP)

The goal of translational research is to reduce the time between laboratory findings and actual treatment.

TRP is currently open for submissions.

The Translational Research Program (TRP) was formed to enhance the transfer of basic research findings to clinical usefulness.

We are looking for applications that propose novel approaches to the prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of hematological malignancies and related pre-malignant conditions. Proposals should be based on molecular, cellular, or integrated systems findings and be conceptually innovative and with a clear plan for the eventual clinical translation of the studies proposed and the results expected.

Click here to see our active TRP portfolio.

 
Please find all TRP program documents available for download here:
2025 TRP Guidelines & Instructions
TRP Funding Agreement Template – FY25

   

Please note these important changes to the TRP (Translational Research Program) Program. The 2026 TRP Grant application process has been changed.

The TRP Grant program is geared towards translational medicine for blood cancers. Earlier work in the translational environment has been funded in the past through the TRP mechanism, however, these types of projects would be a better fit for our Discovery Grant program and applicants are directed to apply under that mechanism.


For the 2026 application cycle we will only consider applications that adhere to the following submission guidelines:

  • For small molecule compounds the application must have in vivo proof of concept (POC) in appropriate mouse models. Alternatively, based on the mechanism of action, an in vitro POC with patient-derived samples may be considered.
  • For cellular or immunotherapies, in vivo POC would make for a stronger application. We acknowledge, however, that depending on the type of therapy being developed an in vitro POC may be more appropriate or necessary.

 

Applications that don’t meet these criteria should not submit a Letter of Intent for consideration.

Request For Proposal Information

Special Topic of Interest (Large Granular Lymphocytic Leukemia (LGL):

LGL leukemia is a type of chronic leukemia affecting lymphocytes that are part of the immune system. LGL leukemia is characterized by enlarged cells, containing noticeable granules, which can be seen under microscopic examination. There are two types of LGL leukemia: T-cell (T-LGL) and natural killer cell (NK-LGL). Each type may be chronic or aggressive. LGL is a rare disease with a frequency of about 1 in 1 million people. LGL leukemia affects both men and women, and the median age at diagnosis is 60 years.

Indolent LGL leukemia may involve a “watch and wait” approach. If intervention is required therapies are available but most are older, non-targeted approaches and are generally not curative. Better therapies are needed especially for aggressive and refractory disease.

Therefore, LLS is issuing a special callout for projects to develop novel therapies to address LGL leukemia.

Topics of interest include:

  • Personalized medicine approach for cancer treatment. Advances in cancer care have significantly improved the lives of patients with hematologic diseases such as AML, CLL, Hodgkin and Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas, MM, and ALL. LLS believes that, with time, cures can be achieved for certain diseases or subtypes of diseases. Therefore, LLS will continue to support research that may revolutionize cancer care for any hematologic disease.
  • Development of novel therapies and/or novel therapeutic strategies including those that target mutational and epigenetic events both in the tumor cells and within the microenvironment. Such therapies can be applicable to any hematologic malignancies, but emphasis is warranted in the following areas:
    a)  Aggressive subtypes of Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma including but not limited to DLBCL, tFL, MCL, PTCL, and ALCL
    b)  Indolent lymphoma, including but not limited to: CLL, FL, WM (therapies with the potential to provide significant extension of lives of patients or total disease control in defined subtypes)
    c)  Myeloid disorders including MPN/MDS/AML as well as lymphoid disorders such as ALL
    d)  Multiple Myeloma and pre-emergent conditions
  • Improvements in the safety and efficacy of stem cell transplantation.
  • LLS is especially interested in novel immunotherapy approaches and understanding novel immune synapses relevant to blood cancers.
  • TRP is interested in focusing on diseases of high unmet need. These can include aggressive diseases or diseases that lack effective therapies.

How to apply

  • Please refer to the Guidelines & Instructions document above
  • Is this your first time applying for an LLS Research grant? You can get started by requesting a new account in the LLS Research Portal by clicking here.
  • See the table below for all the key dates and deadlines: 

2025-2026 Application Key Dates

PhaseDate
Call for ProposalsJuly 1, 2025
Letter of Intent DueOctober 16, 2025
Full Application DueJanuary 23, 2026
Panel Review MeetingsMarch 2026
Award Notification*May 2026
Award Start DateJuly 1, 2026

*LLS' non-negotiable funding agreement terms & conditions are available for download above

Frequently Asked Questions

The Policies and Procedures are available to download from the TRP webpage or from the LLS Research Portal program information pages.

Are corporate entities allowed to apply?

No. Only academic institutions are eligible to receive funds from LLS Research Grants. Applicants from the National Institutes of Health or other government agencies are also not eligible. Corporations conducting blood cancer research are, however, encouraged to inquireabout our venture philanthropy initiative, the Therapy Acceleration Program (TAP).

How is independence defined?

Independence is defined as an academic appointment or similar non-corporate position that has sole responsibility for directing research and funding the work. Usually this means a professor, associate or assistant professor or an equivalent appointment. Post-doctoral and similar appointments are not considered independent positions.

May I submit more than one application?

No. Applicants may only serve as the PI or Co-PI for one new TRP application per cycle.

If I have an existing TRP award, can I apply for a second?

Yes, an investigator may apply for a new TRP if they currently hold an active TRP from a prior year. The proposed work may be a new research objective or may be related to the active TRP but should not directly overlap with the aims of the existing TRP.

Can I apply as a PI on one application and a Co-PI on another application?

No. Applicants may not serve as PI or Co-PI on more than one application within the same cycle. Applicants may, however, serve as Collaborator on more than one application.

Should Collaborators and Co-PIs conduct their research at the same institution as the PI?

Not necessarily. A Co-PI or Collaborator may work at a different institution – or even in a different country – from the PI.

Should my proposal be responsive to the request for proposals (RFP) topics?

Not necessarily. The LLS seeks proposals that are responsive to the RFP but will consider other exceptional proposals with the near-term potential of clinical translation.

What are permissible costs?

Permissible Direct Costs include salary, wage, or stipend with fringe benefits, supplies & materials, equipment, travel, and patient care costs. Permissible Indirect Costs include those incurred for common or joint objectives that cannot be readily identified with a particular project (general maintenance, utilities, library, etc.), as defined in Office of Management and Budget Circular A-21. Impermissible Costs include membership dues, tuition, books, journals, and publication costs.

Are subcontracts allowed?

Yes. The signing institution (i.e. the Funded Institution) is responsible for academic and CRO subcontracts. LLS will only sign a contract with and dispense payments to the Funded Institution and does not facilitate subcontracts.

Could this grant cover any subcontract costs?

Yes. While LLS does not facilitate subcontracts, subcontract costs may be claimed as part of the Funded Institution’s direct costs. Indirect costs may only be claimed by one institution (usually the Funded Institution).

Why is my administrative officer’s name missing from the online application dropdown menu?

In order for personnel to be selected from dropdown menus on the application, each individual must have an account in the LLS Research Portal (FLUXX) that is linked to the Funded Institution of the application. Please contact researchprograms@lls.org to request new accounts.

Why can't I delete a document I upload?

In order to avoid accidental deletions, applicants are not granted access to delete uploaded documents. We recommend that all application documents be thoroughly reviewed before they are uploaded. Applicants wishing to correct an uploaded document should contact researchprograms@lls.org to have the document replaced with a corrected version. Please note that the correction will be apparent to reviewers.

Can I adjust the margins and font on the Project Description template?

No. Applications that are submitted with altered templates will be triaged.

Do character limits include spaces?

Yes. Character limits include spaces throughout all LLS grant applications.

What if my Human Subjects and Laboratory Animal assurances haven’t been approved before the application deadline (IRB, IACUC)?

Assurances pending approval should be noted on your application, and approval letters should be uploaded as soon as they are received. Approval letters received after the deadline should be sent to researchprograms@lls.org as soon as they are received and will be added to your application by LLS administrative staff.

Could someone switch labs before the grant start date of July 1st of the year in which the grant is awarded?

Yes. Applicants should alert LLS Research Administration of a potential move as soon as possible. The new Funded Institution will be subject to LLS approval.

More Questions?

Please refer to the downloadable Guidelines and Instructions document above for answers and for contact information.