Program Objectives

The objectives of the CARE Fund and the primary review criteria by which applications will be evaluated are to:

• Optimize the use of public funds by giving priority to research utilizing the best science and technology with the greatest potential to improve health outcomes;

• Increase the value of our public investments by leveraging our state's existing cancer research facilities and talent, as well as clinical and therapeutic resources;

• Incentivize additional investment by requiring private or other non-state resources to match public funds;

• Create jobs and encourage investments that will generate new tax revenues in our state; and

• Advance the biotech, medical device, and health care information technology industries in Washington.

In addition to the CARE Fund objectives, consideration for funding may be given to Distinguished Researcher candidates that demonstrate:

• A focus on cancers that disproportionately burden populations in Washington State;

• Efforts to address cancer disparities (e.g., cancer care access, treatment outcomes, advance diversity, equity, and inclusion in the cancer research field, etc.); and

• Evidence of collaborative, cross-disciplinary, or multi-sector approach.

The CARE Board is committed to supporting researchers that aim to address disparities in cancer care access and outcomes.

The CARE Board may also take into consideration allowable grantmaking portfolio factors of the Endowment, including but not limited to, the variety in cancer research disciplines represented within Washington State, the type of cancer being studied, or geographic distribution of grantee organizations.

Grant Award and Eligibility

Grand Award and Matching Fund Requirements

• Grant awards are up to $500,000 per researcher.

• All grant awards are two years.

• The grant may be used for purposes that advance the candidate’s research program (e.g., salaries, equipment, etc.), including mentoring students or junior investigators. Expenditures related with community service, teaching, or clinical activities beyond those required for performing the proposed research activities are not allowed.

• Applicant organizations, including commercial entities, must secure a minimum one-to-one (1:1) match of requested grant amount with private contributions or other non-state of Washington sources for its recruitment/start-up package (considering all costs budgeted in the recruitment agreement).

• A minimum of 1:1 non-state match must be secured at the time of the application submission. Proof of private or other non-state matching contributions may be accomplished by providing a written, binding, enforceable agreement from the contributor that commits an equal or greater amount of non-state or private contributions to meet the CARE Fund’s matching requirement, and that acknowledges that the CARE Fund grant is contingent upon this contribution.

• In the grant application budget, applicants should include all non-state match amounts committed to the Distinguished Researcher candidate, even if the total match exceeds the minimum 1:1 non-state match requirement.

Distinguished Researcher Candidate

• Two tracks within the cohort

  • Early-career investigator (i.e., no more than 10 years since terminal degree in biomedical science was conferred)

  • Established investigator

• All cancer-related researchers recruited to Washington State are eligible, including but not limited to, basic, translational, clinical, and population-based cancer researchers.

• Early-career cancer-related researchers currently on a fellowship or post-doctoral position at a Washington-based organization are eligible for an in-state recruitment award.

• The start date of the Distinguished Researcher candidate must not be more than 180 days prior to the application deadline.

• The Distinguished Researcher candidate must devote a minimum of 50% effort to overall cancer research activities.

• Distinguished Researcher candidates that have active peer-reviewed funding and/or sponsored research agreements will be favored, irrespective of the ability to transfer such funding to Washington State. 

• Organizations may re-submit an application for a Distinguished Researcher candidate, provided the candidate meets the eligibility criteria for this funding cycle.

Applicant Organization

• Organizations in Washington State including companies, universities, research institutions, local health jurisdictions, tribal governments, tribal entities, and Urban Indian Organizations are eligible to apply. Applicants must have a substantial presence in Washington, as determined by the CARE Board based on factors including, but not limited to, the following: number and type of staff in Washington; state of incorporation; location of headquarters, research, or manufacturing facilities in Washington; or any combination of such factors.

• Organizations may submit up to a maximum of three applications during the same funding cycle, but each application must be for a different candidate.

• Organizations must meet one-to-one (1:1) non-state matching fund requirement.

• Organizations must be willing to agree to all terms and conditions set forth in the CARE Fund Grant Award Agreement.

Timeline

Call for Proposals Announced: May 5, 2022

Letter of Intent Deadline: June 2, 2022, 5:00 p.m. (PT)

Full Application Deadline: July 12, 2022, 5:00 p.m. (PT)

Award Decision: November 2, 2022

Apply

The RFP and application materials for the grant opportunity are available below.

Organizations that intend to submit a full application must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) for each Distinguished Researcher candidate through the CARE Fund online grants system. The Distinguished Researchers LOI can be accessed by clicking on the Apply button below. The LOI must be submitted by Thursday, June 2, 2022, 5:00 p.m. (PT).

After the LOI is reviewed by the CARE Fund staff and/or contractors, selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application via the CARE Fund grants system. The full Distinguished Researchers grant application will be available to applicants after they are invited. Full applications must be submitted by Tuesday, July 12, 2022, 5:00 p.m. (PT).

It is anticipated that award decisions for this cycle will be made in November 2022. Applicants will be notified via email.

For questions regarding this program or application process, please contact Peter Choi at peter@wacarefund.org.