HARRISBURG, PA — The American Lung Association Research Institute has opened its 2027-28 grant cycle to Pennsylvania researchers and other qualified scientists conducting U.S.-based studies, offering awards of up to $100,000 annually for research spanning lung cancer, indoor air quality, respiratory pathogens and other lung-health priorities.
The funding program supports basic, translational and clinical research, with proposals selected through scientific peer review. Researchers across multiple disciplines and career stages may apply, subject to requirements for individual awards.
The largest funding opportunities include the Indoor Air Research Award, which provides up to $100,000 annually for independent researchers or $50,000 annually for mentored researchers for as long as three years. The award focuses on the effects of indoor environments on lung health and requires a letter of intent.
The Lung Cancer Discovery Award and Emerging Respiratory Pathogen Award each provide $100,000 annually for up to two years. The former supports laboratory through clinical lung cancer research, while the latter focuses on the biology and long-term effects of new and evolving respiratory pathogens. Both require letters of intent.
Two programs provide $75,000 annually for up to two years. The Innovation Award is available to independent investigators with recent National Institutes of Health K- or R-type awards, while the Hastings Innovation Award for Interstitial Lung Disease supports investigators studying interstitial lung disease who have previous NIH award experience.
An Allergic Respiratory Diseases Research Award, jointly funded with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, also provides $75,000 annually for up to two years.
Early-career researchers can seek funding through the Catalyst Award, which provides $50,000 annually for up to two years for mentored scientists working toward research independence. The Dalsemer Interstitial Lung Disease Award provides the same annual amount and duration as seed funding for mentored junior investigators studying interstitial lung disease.
A Public Health and Public Policy Research Award provides $50,000 annually for up to two years for research into public health and policies affecting air quality and lung health.
“Amid federal changes in research and funding, it is more important than ever for nonprofit organizations to help sustain scientific discovery and innovation,” Caroline Hutchinson, executive director of the American Lung Association in Pennsylvania, stated.
Qualified applicants must conduct their research in the United States and meet the eligibility requirements and terms of the individual grant program. The application and review process takes approximately six to eight months, with award recipients scheduled to be notified in June 2027.
Application materials are available through ProposalCentral at https://proposalcentral.com/. Additional information is available at Lung.org/research.
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