HARRISBURG, PA — The American Lung Association in Pennsylvania has announced the launch of its 2026-2027 Research Awards and Grants cycle, reaffirming its commitment to accelerating scientific discoveries that address urgent lung health challenges.
Since its founding in 1904, the organization has supported landmark breakthroughs in respiratory health, from fighting tuberculosis and aiding premature infants with breathing difficulties to advancing lung cancer therapies and confronting new threats such as COVID-19. The new cycle continues that tradition, with opportunities spanning basic, translational, and clinical research.
“At the American Lung Association, we remain steadfast in our mission to invest in promising research that can transform how we prevent, diagnose and treat lung disease,” said Caroline Hutchinson, executive director for the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania. “These grants represent not only hope, but also a call to action to sustain scientific progress during the changing funding landscape. We invite scientists across Pennsylvania to apply to become a part of our impactful research team and help us continue to change lives.”
Grant Opportunities
The program offers a range of awards to support both early-career scientists and established investigators. Among the opportunities are:
- Indoor Air Research Award: Up to $100,000 annually for independent researchers or $50,000 annually for mentored projects, supporting studies on indoor environments and lung health.
- Lung Cancer Discovery Award: $100,000 annually for up to two years to fund groundbreaking lung cancer research.
- Emerging Respiratory Pathogen Award: $100,000 annually for up to two years to study new and evolving respiratory threats.
- Innovation Award: $75,000 annually for up to two years, aimed at independent investigators with recent NIH funding.
- Hastings Innovation Award for Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD): $75,000 annually for up to two years, supporting ILD research by investigators with NIH experience.
- Allergic Respiratory Diseases Research Award: $75,000 annually for up to two years, jointly funded with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
- Catalyst Award: $50,000 annually for up to two years, designed for mentored early-career scientists.
- Dalsemer Interstitial Lung Disease Award: $50,000 annually for up to two years, supporting junior researchers in ILD.
- Public Health and Public Policy Research Award: $50,000 annually for up to two years, focusing on research evaluating policies affecting lung health and air quality.
Application Timeline
Eligible researchers must be conducting their work in the United States and meet the requirements of each award. Applications are submitted through proposalCENTRAL, with the review and selection process spanning six to eight months. Award recipients will be notified in June 2026.
To learn more or begin the application process, visit Lung.org/Research.
The funding initiative reflects the Lung Association’s continued role in shaping the future of lung health, ensuring sustained progress in preventing disease, advancing diagnosis, and improving treatment options for patients nationwide.
For the latest news on everything happening in Chester County and the surrounding area, be sure to follow MyChesCo on Google News and MSN.