Research & Grants

At Susan G. Komen for the Cure®, we are committed to ending breast cancer forever by energizing science to find the cures and ensuring quality care for all people, everywhere. Our global research and grants programs are essential driving forces for achieving this mission. Our programs include:

Research Programs

Our Research Programs play a critical role in energizing science to find the cures by funding research that will speed the translation of discoveries into reductions in breast cancer mortality and/or incidence within the next decade and by training investigators at critical stages of their career to ensure sustained discovery. The impact of our research investments are evident in every major advance in breast cancer over the past 25 years. Annually, we support many different types of research grants, each designed to meet specific objectives and to optimize results. Requests for Applications (RFAs) are issued in April for research grants and September for training grants. Applications proceed through a rigorous scientific peer review processes that involves leading scientists, clinicians, and advocates. Once awarded, our grantees become part of a unique science management process that engages our researchers and sustains accountability. Advocate participation in peer review is extended to involvement in many of these ongoing research projects and to other scientific activities through our Advocates in Science program.

Scientific Advisory Council

 Susan G. Komen for the Cure appoints a new Scientific Advisory Council comprised of distinguished scholars and leaders in breast cancer who have made significant contributions to advancing the field or who demonstrate significant promise of leading the field with important advances in the future. Members of the Council will participate in scientific peer review, chair and participate in think tank meetings and state-of-the-science reviews, participate in developing evidence-based policy positions, and provide advice on educational approaches and materials, trainings, and new programs.  Members will serve two year, renewable terms and be expected to contribute approximately 100 to 120 hours each year to Komen activities.  In recognition of scholarly contributions to research advances and service as a member of the Advisory Council, full members will receive an annual research grant totaling $250,000 and associate members will receive an annual research grant totaling $175,000.

Community Health and Outreach

Our community health grants ensure quality care for all by funding breast cancer education, screening and treatment projects for those who need them most. Through community needs assessments, more than 75,000 volunteers working through local Affiliates identify unmet needs in their communities and provide Affiliate community health grants to fill these gaps. Komen’s Global Headquarters also administers the National Capital Area Grants Program to address breast cancer disparities in the medically underserved in the capital area. And to ensure quality care and access around the global, our Susan G. Komen for the Cure Global Promise Fund works with local communities and International organizations to develop innovative education and outreach programs.

Sponsored Programs

Our partnerships and special projects reflect unique opportunities to leverage the capacities of different organizations to address critical challenges and cross-cutting issues in research, clinical practice, and public health. Through our Scholarships and Awards, we support young adults seeking to pursue college in the face of financial burdens due to the loss of a parent to breast cancer and sponsor recognition awards for those who have made significant contributions to our efforts to end breast cancer.