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Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Annual Giving
$115.0M
Grant Range
$100K - $0.7M
Decision Time
10mo

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $93+ million (community grants); $21.7 million (research grants, FY2023)
  • Total Investment Since 1982: $1.1 billion in research; $2.3 billion in community programs
  • Grant Range: $100,000 - $650,000 (research); varies for community grants
  • Geographic Focus: United States and international (60+ countries)
  • Decision Time: Approximately 9-10 months from Letter of Intent to award notification
  • Application Volume: 950-1,050 pre-applications annually

Contact Details

National Headquarters: 13770 Noel Road, Suite 801889 Dallas, TX 75380

Phone: 1-877-GO-KOMEN (1-877-465-6636)

Email:

Website: https://www.komen.org

Research Grants Information: https://www.komen.org/breast-cancer-research/grants/

Overview

Susan G. Komen is the world's largest breast cancer organization, founded in 1982 by Nancy G. Brinker following a promise to her dying sister, Susan G. Komen, to do everything possible to end the disease. Since inception, Komen has invested more than $1.1 billion in breast cancer research, funding more than 2,700 research grants and over 550 clinical trials, making it the largest nonprofit funder of breast cancer research outside of the federal government. Additionally, Komen has provided more than $2.3 billion for community-based screening, education, treatment, and psychosocial support programs serving millions of people in more than 60 countries worldwide. The organization operates through a network of over 115 local affiliates and utilizes a rigorous, multi-step peer-review process involving more than 400 scientists and advocate reviewers across 23-25 peer-review committees. Recent strategic priorities focus heavily on metastatic and aggressive breast cancers (71% of recent funding) and precision medicine approaches (65% of recent funding).

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Research Grants:

  • Career Catalyst Research (CCR) Grants: $150,000 per year for up to 3 years ($450,000 total) - Supports early-career faculty researchers with "protected time" for research career development under mentorship

  • Career Transition Awards (CTA): Up to $650,000 over 5 years in two phases - Phase 1: $100,000/year for up to 2 years (postdoctoral); Phase 2: $150,000/year for up to 3 years (independent research)

  • Leadership Grants: Amount varies - Supports established researchers on critical breast cancer questions

  • Scientific Partnerships and Programs Grants: Amount varies - Multi-institutional collaborative research

  • Opportunity Grants: Amount varies - Innovative, high-risk/high-reward projects

  • Susan G. Komen-Lobular Breast Cancer Alliance Grant: $400,000 ($200,000/year for 2 years) - Focused on metastatic invasive lobular carcinoma

Community Health Grants:

  • Administered by local Komen affiliates
  • Over $93 million awarded annually through affiliate network
  • Grants support breast health education, screening, diagnostic services, treatment support, and patient navigation programs
  • Application methods vary by local affiliate; most require attendance at grant training workshops

Priority Areas

Research Focus:

  • Metastatic and aggressive breast cancers (71% of recent funding)
  • Precision medicine and personalized breast care (65% of recent funding)
  • Conquering breast cancer disparities and inequities
  • Hypothesis-driven, breast cancer-focused studies (basic, translational, clinical, and/or population science)

Community Health Focus:

  • Breast health education for underserved populations
  • Screening and diagnostic services for uninsured/underinsured individuals
  • Treatment support services
  • Patient navigation programs
  • Cultural competency training for medical personnel
  • Survivor support groups and counseling

What They Don't Fund

Research Exclusions:

  • Quality of life or survivorship studies (for certain grant mechanisms like Postdoctoral Fellowships in basic/translational research)
  • Research not hypothesis-driven or not directly focused on breast cancer
  • Applicants who are or have been Principal Investigators on NIH R01 grants or equivalent (for Career Catalyst and Career Transition awards)

Community Grant Restrictions:

  • Programs not addressing breast health or breast cancer
  • Organizations not serving uninsured/underinsured populations (for community grants)
  • Restrictions may vary by local affiliate

Governance and Leadership

CEO (2017-2025): Paula Schneider - Responsible for day-to-day operations and strategic direction of the world's largest breast cancer research portfolio

Founder: Nancy G. Brinker - Regarded as the leader of the global breast cancer movement

Review Structure:

  • Scientific Advisory Board
  • 23-25 peer-review committees
  • 400+ scientist and patient advocate reviewers
  • Advocates in Science program provides patient perspective on all grant reviews

Leadership Quotes

Paula Schneider on research priorities: "Susan G. Komen's work is not complete until we can save all lives from breast cancer, and the research we're funding today is helping people with breast cancer to live longer with better outcomes... Komen's grants will give promising scientists who are in pivotal stages of their careers the support they need to become the next generation of breast cancer leaders and advance research to save more lives."

On organizational growth: "As I often say, ending breast cancer will take a village—and with these four new powerhouse leaders on board, we are sure to amplify our impact on the lives of countless families nationwide, positioning us to make even greater strides in our mission to end breast cancer forever."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Research Grants:

  1. Letter of Intent (LOI) Required: All research grant applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent through the Komen Grants e-Management System (GeMS). The LOI must clearly describe the research question, specific aims, and impact of proposed work.

  2. Invitation-Only Full Application: Only applicants with LOIs deemed appropriately aligned with Komen's annual research focus areas and who meet eligibility criteria will be invited to submit full applications. Full application instructions are provided to invited applicants.

  3. Annual Request for Applications (RFA): Komen releases RFAs each year communicating which grant mechanisms and scientific focus areas are available for funding. Types of mechanisms and scientific focus areas vary from year to year.

  4. Submission: All applications must be submitted online through GeMS by the deadline established in the RFA. No late submissions accepted.

Community Health Grants:

  • Application processes vary by local Komen affiliate
  • Most affiliates require attendance at grant training workshops held in fall
  • Workshop attendance typically required for funding eligibility
  • Applications submitted through affiliate-specific processes
  • Rolling or fixed deadlines depending on affiliate

Decision Timeline

Research Grants:

  • LOI Submission: Typically July
  • LOI Notification: Applicants notified via email; invited applicants receive full application instructions
  • Full Application Deadline: Typically October
  • Award Notification: On or around April 15 of the following year (approximately 9-10 months from LOI submission)

Community Health Grants:

  • Timeline varies by local affiliate
  • Most affiliates conduct annual grant cycles

Success Rates

Komen receives between 950 and 1,050 pre-applications (Letters of Intent) annually. Funding ratios vary considerably by year and grant type. In FY2023, Komen awarded 48 research grants totaling $21.7 million. Specific success rate percentages are not publicly disclosed, but the multi-step process (LOI screening followed by full application review) indicates a highly competitive process.

Reapplication Policy

Specific reapplication policies for unsuccessful applicants are not detailed in public-facing materials. Applicants should review annual RFAs for current policies or contact Komen directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Komen-Specific Priorities

Alignment with Strategic Focus:

  • 71% of recent funding directed to metastatic and aggressive breast cancer research
  • 65% focused on precision medicine approaches
  • Proposals must align with annual RFA focus areas

Research Plan Requirements: From Komen's review criteria, successful applications must include:

  • Clear and concise statement of research question and hypothesis
  • Well-defined specific aims
  • Demonstration of how the research will increase understanding of breast cancer
  • Explanation of potential impact on breast cancer patients
  • Identification of who will/will not benefit from research findings

Innovation and Impact: Komen emphasizes hypothesis-driven research with significant potential to:

  • Advance understanding of breast cancer
  • Lead to reductions in incidence and/or mortality
  • Translate to improvements in patient care
  • Address disparities and inequities in breast cancer outcomes

Review Process Success Factors:

  • Applications reviewed by patient advocates (Advocates in Science program members) AND three scientists with breast cancer expertise
  • Top-scoring applications selected for committee discussion
  • Scientific Advisory Board reviews peer-review results and issues funding recommendations

Career Development Applications (CCR/CTA):

  • Strong mentorship plan with well-qualified Mentor Committee
  • Clear demonstration of potential for independent research career
  • Appropriate timeline and milestones for career development

Recent Funded Research Examples

Komen's research investments have contributed to:

  • 29 new breast cancer-fighting drugs over the past 30 years
  • 26 new products added to research pipeline in most recent year
  • 1,093 participants engaged in Komen-led research efforts (recent year)
  • Over $210 million invested in metastatic breast cancer research (500+ grants, 50+ clinical trials)

Community Grant Success Factors

  • Programs must address specific unmet needs identified through Komen affiliate community needs assessments
  • Focus on serving uninsured and underinsured populations
  • Evidence-based approaches to breast health education, screening, and treatment support
  • Cultural competency and community partnerships
  • Attendance at required grant training workshops

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Two-Stage Process: Research grants require Letter of Intent submission first; only invited applicants submit full applications. Ensure LOI clearly articulates alignment with Komen's annual focus areas.

  • Strategic Alignment is Critical: With 71% of funding directed to metastatic/aggressive cancers and 65% to precision medicine, proposals must demonstrate clear connection to these priorities.

  • Patient Advocate Review: Every application is reviewed by patient advocates in addition to scientific experts. Communicate impact on patients clearly and accessibly.

  • Highly Competitive: Receiving 950-1,050 LOIs annually with selective advancement to full application stage means proposals must be exceptionally strong and well-aligned with priorities.

  • Career Stage Matters: CCR and CTA grants have specific eligibility windows (no more than 6 years faculty experience for CCR; no more than 5 years postdoc for CTA). Timing your application to your career stage is essential.

  • Community Grants are Local: For community health funding, connect with your local Komen affiliate, attend required training workshops, and ensure your program addresses documented community needs.

  • Long Timeline: Plan for 9-10 month decision timeline from LOI to award notification for research grants.

References

Research accessed December 2025

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