Awards and Grants Opportunities

Through the lens of scientific innovation and pioneering new ideas, the American Lung Association champions the next generation of lung health scientists to independence and beyond.

For over 115 years the American Lung Association has focused on driving excellence and innovation through research. Today, we continue to support trailblazing research, novel ideas and innovative approaches with the hope of eliminating lung disease and improving life for those living with lung disease. Together, we are investing in brilliant scientific minds of the future and supporting science with the potential to improve prevention, detection and treatment options.

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Current Funding Opportunities

  • Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award$75,000 per year for up to two years
    A long-standing joint effort between the American Lung Association and the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology to encourage and support early-stage investigators with a primary faculty appointment in an allergy/immunology division or section, to conduct research into advancing the understanding of allergic respiratory disease. Deadline to apply is Thursday, December 15, 2022.
  • Innovation Award:$75,000 per year for up to two years
    This award will support promising independent investigators who are leveraging their existing body of work to conduct basic science, behavioral, clinical, or translational research for lung health. Deadline to apply is Thursday, December 15, 2022.
  • Catalyst Award:$50,000 per year for up to two years
    This award champions the next generation of scientists who are ascending toward independence by supporting mentored-investigators who are conducting basic science, behavioral, clinical or translational research into lung health. Deadline to apply is Thursday, December 15, 2022.
  • Public Policy Research Award:$50,000 per year for up to two years
    This mechanism is designed to help stimulate and inform important public policy debates around healthy air and lung disease. This award supports research on and evaluation of existing public policy and programs, as well as projects that inject innovative ideas into public policies impacting lung health. Deadline to apply is Thursday, December 15, 2022.
  • Dalsemer Award:$50,000 per year for up to two years 
    This is a mentored award meant to provide seed monies to junior investigators for researching the mechanisms and biology of interstitial lung disease. Deadline to apply is Thursday, December 15, 2022.
  • COVID-19 & Respiratory Virus Research Award  
    $100,000 per year for up to two years 
    This award is intended to support investigators who have the ability to advance our knowledge of COVID-19 and other novel respiratory viruses with pandemic potential. Successful applicants have evidence of ongoing excellence and productivity in a related field. A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for this award. Deadline to submit LOI is Thursday, September 15, 2022.
  • Lung Cancer Discovery Award: $100,000 per year for up to two years
    Intended to support independent investigators conducting clinical, laboratory, epidemiological or any groundbreaking project aimed at revolutionizing our current understanding of lung cancer and improving diagnostic, clinical and treatment methods. A Letter of Intent (LOI) is required for this award. Deadline to submit LOI is Thursday, September 15, 2022.

Application Information

Terms & Conditions

Learn more about the Terms and Conditions governing our Awards and Grants Program.

To Apply

It is strongly recommended that applicants thoroughly read the Program Descriptions and Terms and Conditions to determine eligibility and to ensure accurate preparation of an application.

Application materials are available through proposal CENTRAL.

Anticipated Timeline
  • July 1: New research term begins 
  • August: New award cycles announced; applications available through proposalCENTRAL 
  • Early Fall: September 15, 2022- Lung Cancer Discovery Award and COVID-19 Award letters of intent (LOI) due 
  • Late Fall: November 1, 2022- All LOI outcome notifications emailed to all applicants 
  • December 15, 2022: All applications are due through proposalCENTRAL 
  • January-April: Administrative review and scientific peer review 
  • June: Outcome notifications emailed to all applicants 
  • June 30: Research term ends
Eligibility

While eligibility varies by award type, the following requirements apply to all awards: 

  • Candidates must be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals holding one of the following visa immigration statuses:
    • permanent resident (Green Card), 
    • exchange visitor (J-1), 
    • temporary worker in a specialty occupation (H-1B), 
    • Canadian or Mexican citizen engaging in professional activities (TN), 
    • Australians in Specialty Occupation (E-3 visa) 
    • temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences (O-1)
  • Candidates must be employed by a U.S. not-for-profit institution. 
  • Candidates are only allowed to submit 1 application per review cycle.

Applicants who apply for more than one grant or award will forfeit any chance of funding. Applicants deemed ineligible for a particular award, or who do not follow the instructions provided, may be disqualified.

Questions

Answers to frequently asked questions about our Awards & Grants.

Technical questions: contact proposal CENTRAL at pcsupport@altum.com or 1-800-875-2562.

Questions on the Awards and Grants program: email research@lung.org.

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