Research Funding Program

Collaborative research funding opportunities

Since the Research Funding Program’s inception in 2008, NNECOS has awarded more than $235,000 to support research projects in Northern New England!

The Northern New England Clinical Oncology Society (NNECOS) is seeking proposals for investigative projects of value to the Northern New England community of cancer care providers. Our goal is to fund one or more proposals, with a maximum award of $20,000 per proposal. Eligible candidates will be current NNECOS members in good standing (out of region affiliate members are eligible to participate as part of the investigative team). Fellows and members of the interdisciplinary care team are strongly encouraged to apply. Projects should align with our mission to promote the highest quality care for patients with cancer and blood disorders in our region. Preference will be given to projects promoting collaboration among NNECOS institutions (academic and community). 

Full Details:

Proposals should be prepared in 11-point font, Arial, or Times New Roman, utilizing one-inch margins.

Proposals are judged on innovation, the ability to fulfill the mission of NNECOS, and feasibility within the timeline.  Clearly documenting the approach and methods in detail is critical for successful funding.  Explicitly stating the number of research subjects, how they will be recruited and the rationale for the number of subjects greatly facilitates understanding the proposal.  If the local IRB is required for approval, this should be stated. The proposal can be reviewed even if the IRB is not yet approved the project (if applicable).

Abstract: 250 words or less stating the Background, Hypothesis, Proposed Methods, and Interpretation of Results.

Research Plan: Research plan should include all the following and not exceed 3 pages (11-point Arial font, with page margins of 1 inch top/bottom/sides, page limit does not include references):

  1. Specific Aims. List the hypotheses, objectives, and goals of your proposed research
  2. Background and Significance. Concisely summarize relevant work done by your research team and others. Specifically state how the successful completion of the work proposed will advance scientific knowledge that is relevant to cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and/or survivorship.
  3. Innovation. Explain how the application fills an unmet gap in the field of oncology with a focus on patients in our region.
  4. Preliminary Studies. While preliminary data are not required for this pilot grant mechanism, there should be sufficient evidence to support funding a novel discovery or new significant research direction in cancer.
  5. Research Design. Describe your overall hypothesis, proposed methods, procedures, and data analysis. Include your approach and analysis and explain your project’s feasibility. Discuss potential difficulties and limitations of your proposal.
  6. Timeline. Include timeline for proposed project, including dates for reporting to NNECOS semi-annually and which member of the team will be tasked with reporting. Projects involving human subjects must be reviewed by the IRB. Include information for work with selected project mentor to advance the goals and objectives.
  7. Outcomes & Future Directions. Identify the proposed project’s final product and how/when it will be presented (e.g. oral presentation, poster, publication, website, media presentation, or political action). Identify how results of this proposal will advance care of oncology patients and/or future research proposals.
  8. References. Each literature citation should include title, authors, book or journal, volume
  9. Budget. The budget must be clearly outlined. Materials and funds for services of collaborating facility employees required in the operations of a project are examples of items to include in the budget (i.e., research coordinator, statistician, etc., in alignment with national averages for their role). If the proposal is part of a larger project, the total amount of funding and its sources should be disclosed. Indirect costs and salary support for academic attending physicians and private practice providers should not be included.  Travel funds should not be included.

Submission Deadlines: March 15th & September 15th

Download the 2026 Proposal Elements/ Application Template & submit completed application template via email to info@nnecos.org.

Completed applications must be received via email no later than 11:59pm on the stated deadline.

Awardees will be notified in approximately six to eight weeks, be required to submit progress reports to NNECOS, submit the results of the research for poster presentation and if invited, present a final report of the research to the NNECOS annual meeting.

Questions? Contact us at info@nnecos.org!

Congratulations to our past Research Funding Program Grant Recipients!