Melanoma Research Foundation Research Portfolio
The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) is the leading non-profit organization dedicated to eradicating melanoma by accelerating medical RESEARCH , while EDUCATING to and ADVOCATING for the melanoma community.
Funding Melanoma Research
The MRF provides emerging and established scientific investigators (from medical students to senior investigative teams) with highly sought-after, peer-reviewed grants across the disciplines of biology, immunology, prevention, diagnosis and treatment. From 1998–April 2024, we have awarded 323 grants at 88 institutions, totaling $25.2 million.
323
GRANTS FUNDED AT 88 INSTITUTIONS
TYPES OF GRANTS FUNDED:
TYPES OF GRANTS PURPOSE
ELIGIBILITY
DURATION
MEDICAL STUDENT
Introduces students early in their careers to clinical/ research opportunities under the mentorship of an investigator engaged in melanoma research
Medical students at an accredited U.S. medical school or institution
1 year
RESIDENT/ FELLOW
Provides opportunities and funding to engage in short-term clinical or laboratory-based research projects
Residents or fellows in the United States with an interest in melanoma research
1 year
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Enables junior researchers to generate the ground- work that can leverage additional grant funding from other funding bodies
Junior investigators which include: • Postdoctoral fellows with less than five years of postdoctoral experience OR • A research associate, instructor, assistant professor or the equivalent Established researchers, mainly faculty with at least an associate professor appointment
2 years
ESTABLISHED INVESTIGATOR
Encourages proven researchers to continue research on emerging challenges in melanoma
2 years
TEAM Encourages collaboration across academic disciplines in an institution or among multiple institutions
A PI and at least one co-PI, ideally from different institutions and/or disciplines
2 years
Provides pilot translational awards, MRF-funded merit awards through partner organizations, donor-directed research funding and support for urgent or specific needs
OTHER
Varies by grant
Varies
GRANT RECIPIENT
GRANT RECIPIENT
T he MRF grant was instrumental in helping us to advance our melanoma research program and to connect with the melanoma community.
T his grant was the first one I was awarded after finishing my medical training, and tremendously helped establish my academic career.
Scientific Initiatives
Creation of Resources MRF BREAKTHROUGH CONSORTIUM (MRFBC)
Recognizing a need for greater collaboration around translational research, the MRF formed the MRFBC in 2010. The MRFBC is a national network of 23 melanoma centers of excellence that collaborate to accelerate research for a cure.
University of Colorado Northwestern University University
of Chicago Ohio State University
University of Pittsburgh
Dana Farber/Harvard Cancer Center Yale University Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
California Pacific Medical Center
University of California San Francisco
Columbia University New York University
University of Pennsylvania/ Wistar Institute Northwell Health
St. John’s Cancer Institute
Fox Chase Cancer Center
The Angeles Clinic and Research Center
Georgetown-Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center
University of California Los Angeles
Duke University
M.D. Anderson Cancer Center
Moffitt Cancer Center
Vanderbilt University
Rare Subtype Focus Community United for Research and Education of Ocular Melanoma (CURE OM) In 2011, the MRF launched CURE OM to focus solely on advancing the goals of the ocular melanoma community. To date, CURE OM has provided ~$2.5 million in research grants, held numerous scientific conferences and educational patient meetings. In 2021, CURE OM launched a first of its kind patient-reported OM registry (www.visionregistry.org) and continues to advocate for the ocular melanoma community to improve the lives of people impacted by this disease. Pediatric/Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) and Mucosal (MM)/Acral Lentiginous (ALM) Melanoma The MRF has launched initiatives that focus on pediatric and AYA melanoma patients and MM/ALM. As such, the MRF is supporting grants focused on pediatric/AYA mel- anoma as well as MM/ALM. With respect to pediatric/ AYA melanoma, the MRF sponsors an Annual Pediatric or AYA Summit each year so that patients/families can come together and learn the latest in medical treatments/ research and find support. With respect to MM, the MRF held its inaugural investigator/patient meeting in 2022 focused on this rare disease; the next meeting will be in 2025. In addition, the MRF also launched its MM Translational Working Group which convenes quarterly
to focus on MM clinical trials, research, and collaborative opportunities. Future goals include the creation of a MM patient and caregiver guide. Support to the Field • Partnership with the Society for Melanoma Research to sponsor annual investigator awards and satellite symposia • Partnership with Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, to provide a merit award each year to a promising investigator in melanoma • Scientific meetings that address key focus areas, e.g., brain metastases, equity/access and consensus on gene expression profiling in cutaneous melanoma. • In 2023, the MRF celebrated 4 healthcare providers and researchers with awards at Galas in Denver and New York City. Further, due largely to patient suggestions, the MRF has developed a wide array of educational information, downloads for use in the office, links to clinical trials, buddy programs and online support groups. More information about the MRF, its programs and its scientific leadership can be found at www.melanoma.org. Patient Perspective Incorporating a patient-centric approach to the grant review process, a patient review panel ensures that patient and caregiver priorities are reflected in the research funding process.
If you are interested in participating in such a panel, please sign up for more information by scanning this code:
FUNDING FROM THE MRF HAS RESULTED IN:
276 PUBLICATIONS
591 PRESENTATIONS
10 PATENTS
27 CLINICAL TRIALS
132 GRANTS WITH NEW COLLABORATIONS
79 GRANTS WITH NEW FUNDING SUPPORT
122 MEDICAL STUDENT AWARDS
41 ESTABLISHED INVESTIGATOR AWARDS
106 CAREER DEVELOPMENT AWARDS
14 TEAM AWARDS
TO LEARN MORE, VISIT MELANOMA.ORG/ RESEARCH-SCIENCE
5 RESIDENT/FELLOW AWARDS
18 MERIT AWARDS FROM THE
17 OTHER AWARD TYPES
SOCIETY FOR MELANOMA AND CONQUER CANCER FOUNDATION
MELANOMA RESEARCH FOUNDATION melanoma.org/research-science 202.347.9675 or 800.673.1290
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