American Lung Association Invites Researchers to Submit Applications for Grants to Transform Lung Health

In an increasingly challenging environment for scientific research funding, the American Lung Association Research Institute today announced the opening of its 2026-2027 Research Awards and Grants cycle. Through this initiative, the Lung Association is reinforcing its longstanding commitment to accelerating lifesaving scientific discoveries and supporting the next generation of lung health researchers.

“With the changes to the federal public health infrastructure, and the freezing of several National Institutes of Health (NIH) grants, biomedical research faces unprecedented challenges,” said Harold Wimmer, President and CEO of the American Lung Association. “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. These grants represent not only hope, but also a call to action to sustain scientific progress during turbulent times.”

Since 1904, the Lung Association has played a pivotal role in landmark advancements—from curbing tuberculosis and improving care for premature infants with respiratory distress, to fueling progress in lung cancer treatments and addressing emerging respiratory threats such as COVID-19 and other viruses.

For the 2026-2027 cycle, the Lung Association will continue funding high-impact basic, translational and clinical research through rigorous scientific peer review. Researchers across disciplines are encouraged to apply.

Grant Opportunities Include:

• Indoor Air Research Award: Up to $100,000/year (independent) or $50,000/year (mentored), for up to three years. This award supports research on how indoor environments impact lung health, with the goal of informing policy and improving public health outcomes. A letter of intent is required.
• Lung Cancer Discovery Award: $100,000/year for up to two years. Funds groundbreaking research in lung cancer across disciplines, from lab studies to clinical investigations. A Letter of intent is required.
• Emerging Respiratory Pathogen Award: $100,000/year for up to two years. Supports studies into the pathobiology and long-term consequences of new and evolving respiratory pathogens. A letter of intent is required.
• Innovation Award: $75,000/year for up to two years. Supports independent investigators with recent NIH K- or R-type awards for novel studies in lung health or disease.
• Hastings Innovation Award for Interstitial Lung Disease: $75,000/year for up to two years. Designed for independent investigators focused on ILD research with prior NIH award experience.
• Allergic Respiratory Diseases Research Award: $75,000/year for up to two years. Jointly funded with the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), this award supports research in allergic respiratory diseases.
• Catalyst Award: $50,000/year for up to two years. Mentored award for early-career scientists on the path to research independence.
• Dalsemer Interstitial Lung Disease Award: $50,000/year for up to two years. Provides seed funding for mentored junior researchers studying ILD.
• Public Health and Public Policy Research Award: $50,000/year for up to two years. Supports public health research and evaluation of policies affecting air quality and lung health.

For the 2026-2027 Lung Association Research Institute grant cycle, qualified researchers must be conducting research in the U.S. and meet individual grant qualifications and other terms and conditions. Application materials are available through proposalCENTRAL. The entire process takes 6 to 8 months and research grant awardees will be notified in June 2026. 

To learn more or begin the application process, visit Lung.org/Research.