Funding Opportunities

Neuroendocrine cancer research grant types

NETRF offers four different neuroendocrine cancer research grants (Accelerator, Investigator, Pilot, and Mentored Awards) with grants ranging from $90,000 to $800,000.

Seeking transformational ideas

We invite innovative and transformative research proposals in neuroendocrine cancer to help bring the field closer to more effective therapies. We are equally interested in basic, translational and clinical research applications, and encourage collaborations between investigators with expertise in different fields. Prior research in neuroendocrine cancer is not a prerequisite, and we encourage scientists to enter the field.

Encouraging team science

We are very interested in grant proposals from multidisciplinary groups comprised of basic scientists, clinicians, and experts across relevant cutting-edge disciplines. Proposals that cover promising and potentially transferable strategies and/or technologies, which have been applied successfully to other areas of cancer research, are highly encouraged and will be evaluated based on their level of applicability to neuroendocrine cancer.

Areas of Interest

In 2024, NETRF adopted a Research Roadmap that prioritizes Early Detection, New Therapeutic Development, and Precision Medicine to drive progress in neuroendocrine cancer research. We seek applications focused on:

  • Developing biomarkers, AI tools, and imaging technologies for early diagnosis
  • Innovating new and improved treatments
  • Leveraging molecular insights for personalized therapies

In addition to these areas, NETRF remains committed to exploring a broad range of promising research opportunities. We welcome proposals beyond these categories, including but not limited to:

  • Uncovering the molecular and genetic basis of neuroendocrine cancer
  • New/optimized experimental models
  • Application of existing or new technologies to target neuroendocrine cancer
  • Cancer metabolism
  • Cell invasion and metastasis
  • Tumor microenvironment.
  • Immunotherapy.
  • Diagnostics/Biomarkers
  • Big data
  • Clinical research

Tumor types of greatest interest

While we recognize that neuroendocrine cancers can develop in many different organs, our focus includes:

GEP-NETs

Gastroenteropancreatic neuroendocrine tumors, including sites of metastasis.

Lung NETs

Well-differentiated, low-grade typical carcinoids (TCs), well-differentiated, intermediate-grade atypical carcinoids (ACs), diffuse idiopathic pulmonary neuroendocrine cell hyperplasia (DIPNECH).

Tumor types in scope

Adrenal-Associated NETs

Pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.

Neuroendocrine Carcinomas (NECs)

Extrapulmonary, high-grade neuroendocrine carcinomas.

The Foundation may consider supporting work on other NET types based on allotted funding availability as long as it is not specifically listed as out of scope.

Tumor/tissue types out of scope

  • Small-cell lung cancer (SCLC)
  • Large-cell lung cancer (LCLC)
  • Non-SCLC
  • Squamous cell carcinomas
  • Adenocarcinomas
  • Mesotheliomas
  • Poorly differentiated non–small cell lung carcinomas
  • Neuroendocrine prostate cancer

See our FAQ for more information. Send an email to grants@netrf.org to join our researcher database.