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
- Website: https://lymphoma.org
- Grants Page: https://lymphoma.org/researchers/grants/
- Phone: 212-349-2910
- Research Grants Email: researchgrants@lymphoma.org
- General Email: info@lymphoma.org
- Address: Wall Street Plaza, 88 Pine Street, Suite 2400, New York, NY 10005
- Application Portal: ProposalCentral (https://proposalcentral.altum.com/)
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:
- Review RFP documents at lymphoma.org/researchers/grants
- Register on ProposalCentral and prepare application using NIH biosketch format
- Submit by early September deadline (typically September 4, 5:00 pm EST)
- 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
- Lymphoma Research Foundation Official Website - https://lymphoma.org (Accessed February 2026)
- LRF Grant Programs - https://lymphoma.org/researchers/grants/ (Accessed February 2026)
- LRF Board of Directors - https://lymphoma.org/aboutus/bod/ (Accessed February 2026)
- LRF Financial Information - https://lymphoma.org/aboutus/financials/ (Accessed February 2026)
- ProPublica Nonprofit Explorer (EIN: 95-4335088) - https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofits/organizations/954335088 (Accessed February 2026)
- 2025 RFP Documents (CDA, Postdoctoral Fellowship, LSRMP) - Available at lymphoma.org (Accessed February 2026)
- Press Releases on Recent Grant Awards (2023-2025) - PRWeb (Accessed February 2026)
- Charity Navigator Rating - https://www.charitynavigator.org/ein/954335088 (Accessed February 2026)
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