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Lymphoma Research Foundation

Annual Giving
$3.2M
Grant Range
$10K - $0.2M
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
38%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $3.2 million (FY2024)
  • Success Rate: 31-61% depending on program (average ~38%)
  • Decision Time: 15-16 weeks
  • Grant Range: $10,000 - $225,000
  • Geographic Focus: United States and Canada

Contact Details

Overview

The Lymphoma Research Foundation (LRF) is the nation's largest non-profit organization devoted exclusively to funding innovative lymphoma research. Founded by Jerry and Barbara Freundlich, the Foundation has awarded more than 500 research grants totaling over $82.7 million since its inception. With total assets of approximately $42.8 million and net assets of $32.8 million as of FY2024, LRF maintains a strategic focus on direct investment in early-career lymphoma scientists, targeted research in underserved lymphoma subtypes, and fostering diversity through their Health Equity Initiative launched in 2021. The Foundation holds a four-star rating from Charity Navigator and the Independent Charities Seal of Excellence.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Clinical Investigator Career Development Award (CDA): $225,000 over 3 years ($70,000/year salary + $5,000/year incidentals) - For advanced fellows/junior faculty. Annual deadline via ProposalCentral.
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship Grant: $195,000 over 3 years ($60,000/year salary/fringe + $5,000/year incidentals) - For advanced fellows/postdocs. Annual deadline via ProposalCentral.
  • Lymphoma Scientific Research Mentoring Program (LSRMP): $10,000 over 2 years professional development stipend - Two tracks: Clinical and Laboratory/Translational. Annual deadline.
  • Disease Focus Area Grants: Variable amounts for faculty-level researchers in specific lymphoma subtypes (CLL, DLBCL, FL, MCL, AYA). Letters of Intent may be required.
  • Follicular Lymphoma Priority Research Grants: Dedicated funding within early-career programs for FL-focused projects.

Priority Areas

  • All lymphoma subtypes (Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)
  • Early-career scientist development and career transitions
  • Underserved lymphoma subtypes (FL, MCL, DLBCL, CLL, AYA)
  • Health equity research and investigators from underrepresented groups
  • CAR T-cell therapy, circulating tumor DNA, personalized therapies
  • Translational and clinical trial research

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects combining lymphoma with other cancers or hematologic malignancies
  • For-profit entities
  • US federal government institutions (except LSRMP)
  • Institutional overhead or indirect costs
  • Simultaneous holders of certain NIH or other major awards (for CDA)

Governance and Leadership

Executive Leadership:

  • Meghan Gutierrez - CEO (since 2014): "By investing in the brightest minds in lymphoma research, we continue to drive progress toward better treatment options and, ultimately, a cure."
  • Laura Wallenstein - Chief Philanthropy Officer
  • Carolina Flores - Senior Director of Finance

Board Chair: Steven Eichberg (lymphoma survivor)

Scientific Advisory Board (SAB):

  • 45 world-renowned lymphoma experts
  • Andrew M. Evens, DO, MSc, MBA - Current SAB Chair
  • Ann S. LaCasce, MD, MMSc - Immediate Past SAB Chair (former LRF CDA recipient)

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All grants use a public, competitive application process through ProposalCentral. Annual cycle with fixed deadlines:

  1. Review RFP documents at lymphoma.org/researchers/grants
  2. Register on ProposalCentral and prepare application using NIH biosketch format
  3. Submit by early September deadline (typically September 4, 5:00 pm EST)
  4. Single PI applications only (no co-PIs except specific Disease Focus grants)

Decision Timeline

  • Application deadline: Early September
  • Notification: Late December
  • Project start: Between March 1 and July 1 of following year
  • Total timeline: ~15-16 weeks

Success Rates

Based on 2021-2025 averages:

  • CDA: 31%
  • Postdoctoral Fellowship: 34%
  • LSRMP-Clinical: 46%
  • LSRMP-Translational: 61%

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applicants may resubmit in future cycles. From 2023, resubmissions must explicitly address previous SAB feedback within the proposal text.

Application Success Factors

  • Exclusive lymphoma/CLL focus is mandatory - Projects combining with other cancers will not be reviewed
  • Demonstrate clear path to independence - Applications should articulate trajectory to research leadership
  • Strict eligibility windows - MD postdocs need 24-72 months fellowship; CDA applicants max 5 years post-training
  • Health Equity Initiative actively prioritized - Minimum one fellowship and one CDA reserved for underrepresented groups
  • Resubmissions must address feedback - Strong responses to reviewer concerns viewed positively
  • Named mentor essential - LSRMP requires committed institutional sponsor
  • No overhead funded - Budget for direct costs only
  • Use NIH biosketch format - Other formats may disadvantage application
  • Align with research priorities - Recent awards include CAR-T, ctDNA, tumor microenvironment studies
  • Contact grants team with questions - Email researchgrants@lymphoma.org well in advance

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • LRF funds individual researchers, not programs or organizations - all grants to fellows/faculty at US/Canadian non-profits
  • Annual fixed-deadline cycle - applications typically close early September; missing means waiting a full year
  • Competitive but realistic success rates (31-61%) - more accessible than many NIH mechanisms
  • Health equity is structural priority with dedicated award slots, not just rhetoric
  • Resubmissions welcomed with clear pathway for improvement through SAB feedback
  • ProposalCentral is only submission route - familiarize with system well in advance
  • Pre-submission eligibility inquiries encouraged - requirements strictly enforced

References

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