Request for Applications: Lustgarten Equity, Accessibility, and Diversity (LEAD) Project

Applications are due January 22, 2027
Submissions must be through ProposalCentral

• Submission Deadline: January 22, 2027
• Selection Notification Date: Summer 2027

I. Purpose

Pancreatic cancer does not impact all populations equally, with significant differences in incidence and disparities in outcomes across racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups. Pancreatic cancer patients from minority groups are significantly underrepresented in all phases of clinical trials. As a result, the available tools for pancreatic cancer research such as cell models and genomic data reflect mostly one patient population. This discrepancy will obscure the true disease heterogeneity and has the potential to exacerbate disparities in the development of novel therapeutics.  

The LEAD Project aims to address this issue in two ways: 

• Increase recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups in pancreatic cancer clinical trials  

• Expand current resources available for pancreatic cancer researchers to improve our understanding of the full spectrum of disease.  

II. Description

The LEAD Project will support projects that propose to make intentional efforts to address barriers to participation among underrepresented groups and develop and implement specific tools to increase clinical trial participation. Applications should have specific, achievable, and measurable goals for increasing the recruitment and retention of patients from underrepresented minority groups in pancreatic cancer clinical trials.  

Clinical proposals should come from centers that see a high volume of pancreatic cancer cases, are currently running clinical trials in pancreatic cancer, and seek to increase the participation of patients from underrepresented groups in clinical trials. We welcome collaboration with centers to meet the criteria. Proposals that engage community hospitals and other community providers are encouraged.  

Non-clinical proposals may involve analyses or expansion of existing datasets to include minority patient groups in the pancreatic cancer database. Studies should focus on improving the current understanding of pancreatic cancer heterogeneity across all racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.   

III. Qualifications and Requirements of Research Investigator(s)

A. Demonstrated track record of significant contributions to the field  

B. Engaged in significant efforts in diversity, equity, and inclusion in clinical research in pancreatic cancer or other relevant areas (i.e. Community-Based Participatory Research investigator) 

C. If submitting a clinical proposal, investigators must be working at or collaborating with an institution that sees a high volume of pancreatic cancer patients, has an active clinical research program with ongoing pancreatic cancer clinical trials and a patient catchment with a diverse population 

D. Willingness to interact and/or collaborate with other Lustgarten Foundation-Funded investigators

IV. Review Process

A. Applications must be submitted through ProposalCentral and will be due on Jan 22, 2027. 

B. Applications will be competitively reviewed by a panel of peer reviewers. 

C. Applicants selected for funding will be notified in early Summer 2027. 

V. Incentive and Award funding program

A. Requested budgets will be considered and evaluated as part of the competitive selection process. 

B. Grants up to $150,000 per year (including indirect costs) for a maximum of three years will be considered. NIH Salary Cap may be used. 

C. Indirect costs may not exceed a maximum of 10% of direct costs.

D. Bi‐annual progress reports and annual financial reports will be required. Annual continuation of funding will be dependent on satisfactory progress.

E. Funded investigators will be expected to have regular interaction with Lustgarten Foundation scientific staff and will be expected to be willing to interact and/or collaborate with other investigators funded through this RFP or with the larger network of Lustgarten Foundation-funded investigators and laboratories. 

Questions regarding this program should be directed to: