Hyundai Hope On Wheels

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: $27 million (based on most recent announcement)
• Lifetime Giving: $277+ million since 1998
• Grant Range: $100,000 - $400,000 (standard grants); up to $3 million (endowed chair)
• Decision Time: Approximately 6-8 weeks (notification typically in early April, application deadline in mid-February)
• Geographic Focus: United States (with expansion to Canada, Mexico, and planned expansion to Europe and India)
• Eligibility: Children's Oncology Group (COG) member institutions only
• Application Cycle: Annual

Contact Details

Address: 10550 Talbert Avenue, Fountain Valley, CA 92708

Website: www.hyundaihopeonwheels.org

Email: Contact through website

Phone: General Hyundai Motor America: 1-800-633-5151

Grant Programme Information: Available at hyundaihopeonwheels.org/grant-programs

Overview

Founded in 1998, Hyundai Hope On Wheels (EIN: 26-0628722) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organisation and one of the largest non-profit funders of paediatric cancer research in the United States. Supported by Hyundai Motor America, over 850 dealers nationwide, and customers through donations from every new vehicle sale, the organisation has awarded grants totalling over $277 million to support more than 1,300 childhood cancer research grants across 175+ hospitals and research institutions since inception.

In the mid-2020s, the organisation reached a landmark milestone of $250 million in lifetime giving and continued to expand its impact, awarding $26 million followed by over $27 million in subsequent years to medical institutions nationwide. The organisation announced a global expansion beginning in the mid-2020s, first to Canada and Mexico in North America, with planned expansion to Europe and India. New strategic initiatives include a $3 million inaugural endowed chair, representing the organisation's largest single grant commitment.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programmes

Hyundai Scholar Hope Grant - $400,000

• Two-year award competitively selected for translational research
• Supports researchers working directly with patients
• Highly competitive with scientific review panel selection

Hyundai Young Investigator Grant - $300,000

• Two-year award for principal investigators researching childhood cancer biology
• Targets researchers in 3rd-4th year of fellowship or within 6 years of training completion
• Note: This grant amount was increased from $250,000 to $300,000 in the mid-2020s

Hyundai Impact Grant - $100,000

• One-year award for innovative research or programmatic support
• Can support direct patient assistance programmes, enrichment initiatives, and care improvements

Hyundai Bridge2K Grant - $150,000

• One-year award providing seed funding for resubmission efforts
• Ideal for researchers with NIH K award applications (e.g., K08, K23) that narrowly missed funding
• Supports strong paediatric cancer-focused grant applications

Endowed Chair - $3 million (inaugural award in the mid-2020s)

• Multi-generational commitment to support research leadership
• Inaugural endowed chair awarded to Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center

Priority Areas

• Paediatric cancer research with emphasis on innovation and impact
• Translational research working directly with patients
• Biology of childhood cancer
• Novel diagnostic and prognostic approaches
• Treatment improvements and cure development
• High-risk forms of childhood cancer
• Research likely to significantly improve understanding of paediatric cancer biology

What They Don't Fund

• Institutions that are not Children's Oncology Group (COG) members
• Researchers who currently hold another Hyundai Hope On Wheels grant (cannot have two HHOW grants simultaneously)
• Research unrelated to paediatric cancer

Governance and Leadership

Executive Director: John Guastaferro, CFRE (joined July 2022)

Board of Directors Leadership:

• Chairman: Scott Stark, President of South Point Automotive in Austin, Texas (appointed August 2021)
• Vice Chairman: Jamie Auffenberg, Jr., President of Auffenberg Dealer Group of Illinois
• Treasurer: Kevin Reilly, President of Alexandria Hyundai in Alexandria, Virginia; also serves as Vice Chair and Chairman of the Hyundai Motor America National Dealer Advisory Council
• Board Member: Dana W. White, Chief Communications Officer at Hyundai Motor North America

Previous Chairman: Scott Fink served as board chairman for six years before departing in August 2021.

Review Process: Applications are reviewed by a Medical Advisory Committee comprised of leading paediatric oncologists from children's hospitals and research institutions nationwide.

Leadership Quotes

Scott Fink (former Board Chairman): "A key priority for Hyundai dealers is to give back to society and to make sure children have the best possible future for success. We believe that future should be in a world that is free from paediatric cancer."

Dana W. White on Executive Director John Guastaferro: "John is a dynamic leader, brand strategist, and accomplished executive who brings an impressive background in helping to transform philanthropic enterprises. His diverse background and leadership abilities will make a positive difference in the lives of children."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Eligibility: Strictly limited to Children's Oncology Group (COG) member institutions in the United States. COG unites over 12,000 experts in childhood cancer at more than 220 leading children's hospitals, universities, and cancer centres. Each eligible institution may submit up to one application per grant category.

Application Requirements:

• Research proposal submitted through the annual application cycle
• Letter of support from the division chief of paediatric oncology at the applicant institution
• Concurrence of the development office
• Principal Investigators may apply in either Scholar Hope or Young Investigator category, but not both
• PIs cannot have two HHOW grants simultaneously

Grant Selection Criteria: Proposals are peer-reviewed by a scientific panel. Funded grants are selected based on:

• Innovation to the field
• Ability to have the greatest impact on improving cures
• Likelihood of significant impact on improving understanding of childhood cancer biology
• Development of novel diagnostic or prognostic approaches

Decision Timeline

• Application Deadline: Typically mid-February
• Notification: Typically early April
• First Funding Instalment: December 31 of the award year

Typical timeline from submission to decision is approximately 6-8 weeks.

Success Rates

Recent grant cycles have awarded 88-106 grants annually totalling $25-27 million:

Example year: 91 grants awarded totalling $26 million

• 27 Hyundai Scholar Hope Grants
• 14 Hyundai Young Investigator Grants
• 50 Hyundai Impact Grants

Example year: 106 grants awarded totalling over $27 million

• 31 Hyundai Scholar Hope Grants
• 16 Hyundai Young Investigator Grants
• 57 Hyundai Impact Grants
• 2 Hyundai Bridge2K Grants

Grants are described as "highly competitive." Specific application-to-award percentages are not publicly disclosed, but the programme has grown significantly from $15 million in annual giving to $25-27 million in recent years.

Reapplication Policy

While explicit reapplication policies for unsuccessful standard grant applicants are not publicly detailed, the organisation created the Bridge2K Grant specifically to support resubmission efforts of strong paediatric cancer-focused grant applications that narrowly missed funding at national agencies. This demonstrates the organisation's commitment to supporting quality research proposals through multiple cycles.

Current HHOW grant holders may not apply for a second HHOW grant whilst their existing grant is active.

Application Success Factors

Grant Recipient Commitment

If selected, institutions must:

• Agree to all terms and conditions of the grant agreement
• Host a Hyundai Hope On Wheels handprint ceremony at the institution's location or virtually during August or September (National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month)

The handprint ceremony is the organisation's signature event where children impacted by cancer, doctors and researchers, and Hyundai partners place their painted handprints on a Hyundai vehicle, symbolising the collective fight against paediatric cancer and hope for a cure.

What the Funder Values

Based on their mission and grant descriptions, successful applications should emphasise:

1. Innovation: The organisation prioritises research proposals that bring new approaches to the field. Proposals should clearly articulate what makes the research innovative.

2. Impact Potential: Demonstrate how the research will have significant impact on improving cures, outcomes, or understanding of paediatric cancer. Quantify expected benefits where possible.

3. Translational Focus: For Scholar Hope Grants, emphasise direct patient connection and how research translates to clinical care.

4. Career Stage Alignment: Young Investigator applicants should highlight their position within 3-4th year of fellowship or within 6 years of training completion.

5. Institutional Support: Strong letters of support from division chiefs and development office concurrence signal institutional commitment.

6. Feasibility: With two-year timelines for major grants, demonstrate realistic milestones and achievable objectives.

Examples of Funded Research

• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia: Dr. Adam Wolpaw received $400,000 Scholar Hope Award to advance immunotherapy research for neuroblastoma; Dr. Timothy Spear received a Young Investigator Award for vaccination strategies in cancer treatment (CHOP has received over $7.2 million total from HHOW)

• St. Jude Children's Research Hospital: Received combined funding in Young Investigator and Scholar Hope Grants for paediatric cancer research

• Georgetown University's Lombardi Comprehensive Cancer Center: Received inaugural $3 million endowed chair commitment

Organisational Values

The organisation emphasises two core values that should resonate throughout applications:

• Love: Caring, respecting, and loving the children, doctors, researchers, and families in their community
• Hope: Bringing hope to children and families suffering from paediatric cancer

The organisation fulfils its mission through funding innovative research, creating public awareness, stimulating social media conversation, and serving as a thought leader in paediatric cancer research.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

1. COG Membership is Mandatory: Before investing time in an application, confirm your institution is a Children's Oncology Group member. This is a strict eligibility requirement with no exceptions. Visit childrensoncologygroup.org/locations to verify.

2. Choose Your Category Strategically: Each institution can submit one application per category, and PIs cannot apply to both Scholar Hope and Young Investigator categories. Align your research focus, career stage, and proposal with the most appropriate grant type.

3. Emphasise Innovation and Impact: The review panel specifically looks for proposals that will have the greatest impact on improving cures and advancing the field. Clearly articulate what makes your research innovative and how it will change outcomes for children with cancer.

4. Plan for the Handprint Ceremony: This is a non-negotiable commitment for grant recipients. Ensure your institution is prepared to host this signature event during National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month (August-September) as part of your grant acceptance.

5. Consider the Bridge2K for Resubmissions: If you have a strong NIH K award application that narrowly missed funding, the Bridge2K Grant provides strategic seed funding to strengthen your resubmission. This demonstrates HHOW's commitment to supporting quality research across multiple cycles.

6. Build Institutional Support Early: Applications require letters of support from paediatric oncology division chiefs and development office concurrence. Engage these stakeholders early in your planning process to ensure strong institutional backing.

7. Timeline Planning: With a mid-February deadline, early April notification, and December funding start, plan your research timeline accordingly. The approximately 6-8 week review process moves relatively quickly compared to federal grant cycles, but funding doesn't begin until the end of the calendar year.

References

• Hyundai Hope On Wheels official website: https://hyundaihopeonwheels.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• Grant Programmes page: https://hyundaihopeonwheels.org/grant-programs/ (accessed January 2026)
• GuideStar Profile: https://www.guidestar.org/profile/26-0628722 (accessed January 2026)
• "Hyundai Hope on Wheels Announces 2025 Grant Award Winners," Hyundai Newsroom, September 11, 2025: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/4550
• "Hyundai Hope On Wheels Announces 2024 Grant Award Winners," Hyundai Newsroom, August 19, 2024: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/4228
• "Hyundai Hope On Wheels Reaches a Lifetime Giving Milestone of a Quarter-Billion Dollars in 2024," Hyundai Newsroom, April 2024: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/4111
• "Hyundai Hope On Wheels Announces Global Expansion and New Initiatives," Hyundai Newsroom, September 2024: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/4247
• "Hyundai Hope on Wheels Celebrates Largest Year of Progress at 27th Anniversary Gala," Hyundai Newsroom, September 2025: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/4545
• "Hyundai Hope On Wheels Announces New Board Of Directors Leadership," August 2021: https://hyundaihopeonwheels.org/hyundai-hope-on-wheels-announces-new-board-of-directors-leadership/
• "John Guastaferro Joins Hyundai Hope On Wheels as Executive Director," Hyundai Newsroom, July 2022: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/3594
• "Hyundai Hope On Wheels Awards Inaugural Endowed $3 Million Grant to Support Generations of Researchers," Hyundai Newsroom, October 2024: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/4262
• "Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Clinicians Awarded Hyundai Hope On Wheels Grants," CHOP News: https://www.chop.edu/news/childrens-hospital-philadelphia-clinicians-awarded-hyundai-hope-wheels-grants-totaling-650000
• "Hyundai Hope On Wheels Celebrates 25 Years with a $25 Million Donation to Pediatric Cancer Research," Hyundai Newsroom, April 2023: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/3801
• "Hyundai Hope On Wheels Announces 2023 Grant Award Winners," Hyundai Newsroom, September 2023: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/3926
• "Hyundai Hope On Wheels Announces 2022 Grant Award Winners," Hyundai Newsroom, September 2022: https://www.hyundainews.com/en-us/releases/3658
• Children's Oncology Group website: https://childrensoncologygroup.org/ (accessed January 2026)
• University research office pages documenting HHOW grant opportunities from University of Arizona, Duke University, and Baylor College of Medicine (accessed January 2026)