Awards and Grants Opportunities
Through the lens of scientific innovation and pioneering new ideas, the American Lung Association Research Institute champions the next generation of lung health scientists to independence and beyond.For 120 years the American Lung Association has focused on driving excellence and innovation through research. Today, through our Research Institute, we continue to support trailblazing research, novel ideas and innovative approaches with the goal of eliminating lung disease and improving life for those living with lung disease. We are investing in brilliant scientific minds of the future and supporting science with the potential to improve prevention, detection and treatment options.
Current Funding Opportunities
- Allergic Respiratory Diseases Award: $75,000/year for up to two years
Jointly funded with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), this award supports allergic respiratory disease research by investigators with a primary faculty appointment in an allergy-immunology division.
- Catalyst Award: $50,000/year for up to two years
For mentored early career scientists ascending toward independence, this award supports junior investigators conducting basic science, behavioral, clinical or translational research into lung health and disease.
- Dalsemer Interstitial Lung Disease Award: $50,000/year for up to two years
For mentored early career scientists ascending toward independence, this award provides seed monies to junior investigators for researching the mechanisms and biology of interstitial lung disease.
- Emerging Respiratory Pathogen Award: $100,000/year for up to two years (Letter of Intent required)
This award was designed to gain a better understanding of the pathobiology and the immediate and long-term implications of respiratory infections. This includes emerging problems in known organisms as well as new and emerging pathogens.
- Hastings Innovation Award for Interstitial Lung Disease: $75,000/year for up to two years
This award is geared toward independent investigators conducting basic, clinical or translational research in interstitial lung disease. The applicant must have held an NIH K- or R-type award within five years prior to applying. Applicants may not have served as PI on three or more RO1 type grants.
- Innovation Award: $75,000/year for up to two years
This award is geared toward independent investigators who are conducting basic science, behavioral, clinical or translational research in lung health or disease. Applicants must have held an NIH K- or R-type award within five years prior to applying. Applicants may not have served as PI on three or more RO1 type grants.
- Lung Cancer Discovery Award: $100,000/year for up to two years (Letter of Intent required)
This award will support investigators conducting clinical, laboratory, epidemiological or any groundbreaking project aimed at improving our understanding of lung cancer and improving diagnostic, clinical and treatment methods.
- Public Health& Public Policy Research Award: $50,000/year for up to two years
This award is designed to stimulate and inform public policy debates about healthy air and lung disease. The intent is to support research on and evaluation of existing public policy and public health programs, as well as pilot new ideas in these areas.
- Indoor Air Award: $50,000 to $100,000/year, for up to three years (Letter of Intent required)
For investigators conducting research to improve indoor air quality. Applicants should generate knowledge to inform interventions regarding healthy indoor environments and impact public policies.
Application Information
Terms & Conditions
Learn more about the Terms and Conditions governing our Awards and Grants Program.
To Apply
- It is strongly recommended that applicants thoroughly read the Program Descriptions and Terms and Conditions to determine eligibility and to ensure accurate preparation of an application.
- Application materials are available through proposalCENTRAL.
Anticipated Timeline
- August 7, 2025: New award cycles announced; applications available through proposalCENTRAL
- September 18, 2025: Deadline to Submit LOI (if applicable)
- October 23, 2025: LOI outcome notifications emailed to all applicants (if applicable)
- December 1, 2025: All applications are due through proposalCENTRAL
- January–April 2026: Administrative review and scientific peer review
- June 2026: Outcome notifications emailed to all applicants
- July 1, 2026: Research term begins
Eligibility
- Employment Certification Requirement
As part of the application, all applicants must certify that they are authorized to work in the United States. In addition, the institutional Signing Official, defined as the individual authorized to submit grant applications and make institutional commitments, must certify that the applicant’s employment is expected to continue for the full duration of the grant period.- Candidates must be employed by a U.S. not-for-profit institution.
- Candidates are only allowed to submit one (1) application/LOI per review cycle.
- Applicants who apply for more than one American Lung Association grant or award per grant cycle will forfeit any chance of funding.
Please review guidelines for each grant mechanism for more detailed information.
Questions
General
Answers to frequently asked questions about our Awards & Grants.
Funded research
To learn more about the projects funded by the American Lung Association, visit Meet the Researchers.
Technical questions
Contact proposal CENTRAL at pcsupport@altum.com or 1-800-875-2562.
Questions on the Awards and Grants program
Email research@lung.org.
