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.

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Applications for the 2025 grant cycle are now closed. Please visit our website in August 2025 for updates on the next cycle and information about future funding opportunities.

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, but not more than two R01 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, but not more than two R01 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.
  • NEW FOR 2024 - 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, 2024: New award cycles announced; applications available through proposalCENTRAL 
  • September 18, 2024: Deadline to Submit LOI (if applicable)
  •  October 28 , 2024: All LOI outcome notifications emailed to all applicants (if applicable)
  • December 6, 2024: All applications are due through proposalCENTRAL 
  • January-April 2025: Administrative review and scientific peer review
  • June 2025: Outcome notifications emailed to all applicants
  • July 1, 2025: Research term begins 
Eligibility
    • While eligibility varies by award type, the following requirements apply to most awards: 
  • Candidates must be U.S. citizens or foreign nationals holding one of the following visa immigration statuses*:
    • permanent resident (Green Card), 
    • exchange visitor (J-1), 
    • temporary worker in a specialty occupation (H-1B), 
    • Canadian or Mexican citizen engaging in professional activities (TN), 
    • Australians in Specialty Occupation (E-3 visa) 
    • temporary worker with extraordinary abilities in the sciences (O-1)
  • The following requirements apply to all awards:
    • Candidates must be employed by a U.S. not-for-profit institution. 
    • Candidates are only allowed to submit 1 application per review cycle.

Applicants who apply for more than one grant or award will forfeit any chance of funding.

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.

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