Release Date: January 16, 2026
Full Application Due: February 27, 2026
Background & Purpose
In recognition of the outstanding discussion around the UFHCI’s strategic, crosscutting themes at the 2025 Membership Retreat, the UFHCI Executive Committee is pleased to invite applications for the inaugural Catalyst Awards, Applications should address at least two of these themes of Artificial Intelligence, Engineering, Survivorship, Precision Oncology, Lifestyle Factors, Immune Modulation, or Clinical Outcomes and Quality Care.
This mechanism is intended to foster inter-programmatic collaboration across UFHCI strategic, crosscutting priorities, demonstrate impact, support Early-Stage Investigators, and utilize UFHCI shared resources.
Who can apply?
- Each project must include at least one UFHCI member, acting as the Contact Principal Investigator (PI). Only independent investigators can apply for funding as a PI – preference will be given to Early-Stage Investigators
- Investigators may submit only one project during a funding cycle as the Contact PI. Clinical/Scientific advisory roles on more than one application are allowed.
- Applications from investigators with active UFHCI pilot projects will be administratively disqualified unless:
- The active project ends before the award is issued for the current round
- The investigator(s) is/are proposing a project that is clearly scientifically distinct from the currently funded project.
What is the application process?
Applications must be submitted using the UFHCI Catalyst Award Application Template found HERE and due by 2/27/2026. While we encourage engaging your home department research administrators in the preparation and submission of these applications, these proposals do not need to be routed through UFIRST and are to be directly submitted to the UFHCI Office of Research Administration via the web form linked above.
Required Application Components:
- Abstract
- Research Plan – 3-page limit
- References Cited (not included in Research Plan page limit)
- Project Timeline (template found here)
- Future Plans for Funding and/or Translation
- Budget (using the template here)
- Budget Justification
In order to be considered, applications must:
- Directly address at least two UFHCI strategic crosscutting themes (see above)
- Be completed within one year of the award activation date
Review Process:
Applications will be reviewed by the UFHCI Executive Committee. Finalists will be called on to deliver a brief presentation (~5 minutes) on their concept to the Executive Committee and answer questions.
What are the budgetary allowances?
- 3 awards up to $50,000 total in direct costs only will be awarded. It is expected that all funds will be expended within the award year.
- No NCEs will be granted for this award.
- Budget and timeline appropriateness are a key basis for evaluation of the application.
Award Timeline
Notification of award is expected March. The distribution of project funding is contingent upon approval of the project from the local Institutional Review Board (IRB) and/or Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC), as applicable. All necessary regulatory approvals must be obtained for projects to be established within 90 days of the notice of award. Failure to initiate the project within 90 days will result in funding being reallocated to other applicants
Awardee Expectations
Publication Acknowledgement
All publications shall acknowledge that “Research reported in this publication was supported by the UF Health Cancer Institute, supported in part by state appropriations provided in Fla. Stat. § 381.915 and the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number P30CA247796. The content is solely the responsibility of the authors and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health or the State of Florida”.
Shared Resource Acknowledgement
It is expected that pilot awardees will utilize UFHCI Shared Resources. All publications utilizing UFHCI Shared Resources shall acknowledge that “Support was provided by the University of Florida Health Cancer Institute <INSERT SHARED RESOURCE>” and must be in PMCID compliance.
Data Sharing
Scientific data (including the raw data) directly generated from this RFA must be submitted to the Cancer Data Commons for sharing and reuse with other UFHCI investigators, following the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse (FAIR) principles. The Cancer Informatics Shared Resource (CISR) will provide support in data management and assuring that study generated research data can be readily available in the Cancer Data Commons.
Questions
Please direct any questions to ResearchAdmin@cancer.ufl.edu or 352-273-5940.
