Lung Cancer Canada 2026 Lung Ambition Awards

Eligibility

Eligibility Criteria

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1. The focus of the research should be lung cancer within the following areas:
   • Research into early detection lung cancer methodologies, including but not limited to screening, incidental pulmonary nodules OR blood-based testing. Early detection research among those not meeting current screening criteria would be welcomed.
   • Research into ways in which institutions/systems can improve the timeliness and/or coordination of care along the lung cancer patient pathway
   • Research into ways to address disparities and improve equity in lung cancer care

2. The competition will be open to projects across the spectrum of clinicians and researchers that

   touch Lung Cancer

3. The Research Committee has the discretion to allocate quantity of funds and number of awards

   granted based on the submissions received. The maximum amount granted is $50K per

   submission.

4. Each applicant will be limited to 1 submission per PI. Individuals can be co-Investigators on

   multiple submissions.

5. Each submission must be sent via the submission form on the Lung Cancer Canada Website on the template; no application shall be accepted if it is not submitted via the application form.
6. Conference/travel support will be limited to $1000.

7. Each application must contain a clear statement of any other agencies to which the proposal has

   been sent. Other support expected or received should be documented.

8. Where a centre has equipment that can be used in support of the study, requests for such funding should not be included in the application unless they are above and beyond the standard of care (e.g. CT- scans, biomarker testing, if that is usually available within the centre etc.)
9. Successful applicants are required to submit a progress report twelve months after the award is made and to submit their findings for presentation at a Canadian conference prior to publication elsewhere.
10. Proposals will be reviewed and recommended for funding on the basis of high scientific merit, feasibility, and relevance to the Canadian Lung Cancer community.
11. Funds successfully awarded must be spent within Canada, but proposals may involve more than one centre. Candidates must identify a host institution in Canada that will receive and administer the funds.
12. Residents and fellows are welcome to apply. In the application form, please identify one of the co-investigators (C I) as the Co- PI, who will be mentoring the resident/fellow during the project.

Summary

The 2026 Lung Ambition Awards – a Canadian-based lung cancer research award program – is currently open for submissions! The program will grant a total of $100,000 to two research teams working to improve the lives of people with lung cancer, and we are calling on Canadian researchers and clinicians to apply. The complete submission criteria can be found here.

The Lung Ambition Awards is a joint initiative between Lung Cancer Canada, The Lung Ambition Alliance and AstraZeneca Canada. Since its launch, a total of $300,000 has been granted to six Canadian teams pursuing research across the continuum of lung cancer care, tackling the disease from end to end. This includes screening and early detection, diagnostics, surgery and metastatic disease. 

 Submission Instructions:

1. Complete your application according to the agency guidelines as instructed here: https://www.lccresearch.ca/apply
2. To initiate internal approvals, complete the Pre-Award/Application record in RMS (https://research.ucalgary.ca/conduct-research/additional-resources/resea...), attach your completed Application, and submit for approvals from your department head and/or faculty Associate Dean (Research). *Important: when submitting in RMS, please ensure that you allow time for academic approvals prior to the Research Services review deadline of 12:00pm on February 17, 2026.
3. Once these approvals are obtained, RMS will automatically forward the Application record to Research Services for institutional review and approval.
4. Research Services will review, provide feedback (by email) if necessary, and will provide the institutional approval. If digital or wet-ink signatures are required, we will provide the capping institutional signature and will advise when ready.
5. Full Applications, including any supplementary documentation, should be submitted to the agency via their online submission form by February 20, 2026.

Overhead

Not applicable

Application deadlines

RSO final internal review deadline

Program application deadline

NOTE: Consult your Faculty Associate Dean (Research) (ADR) regarding Faculty-specific deadlines and submission processes.

Principal Investigators: Complete a Research Management System (RMS) record, including a copy of your complete application, and submit this for approvals in RMS.

Postdocs, students, and trainees: For fellowships and externally-sponsored research training awards or opportunities, you must complete the Research Funding Application Approval (RFAA) Trainee PDF form, and submit it, along with a complete copy of the application, to Research Services at rsotrainee@ucalgary.ca. Trainees should not use RMS at this time.

Approvals: The University of Calgary requires that all funding applications be approved prior to submission. Approval requires signatures via either RMS or the RFAA Trainee form, in the following order:

• Principal Investigator
• Department Head
• Faculty ADR/Dean
• Research Services (on behalf of the Vice-President Research)

Read the Meaning of Grant Signatures policy to understand what your approval means. Please see the agency guidelines for details about which signatures are required on your application, as it may differ from internal requirements.

Late submissions: Late submissions will only be accepted in cases of medical or family emergencies, or other exceptional circumstances. If you submit your RMS record to Research Services after the internal deadline has passed, you must secure additional approvals. Please read: Late Applications Process.

RESOURCES

Reminder: The sooner the researcher engages with Research Services, the more help we can be!

Contact the following Research Service units for support with:

Projects Involving Indigenous Research:

Support with incorporating wise practices in Indigenous research, community engagement, and Indigenous data management is available through the Indigenous Research Support Team (IRST).

Applicants can reach out by email to IRST at IRST@ucalgary.ca in advance of the RSO internal deadline. For more information about IRST, please visit the IRST webpage.

Knowledge Mobilization, Research Impact Assessment, DORA:

Support for knowledge mobilization/engagement/translation, community partnerships, research impact, responsible research assessment (DORA), and open science, is available through the Knowledge to Impact team.

Applicants can reach out by email to the KI team at knowledge.impact@ucalgary.ca.

For more information and access to resource archives, please visit the KI team webpage.

Research Data Management:

For information on research data management plans, processes, or best practices for your research program, please contact research.data@ucalgary.ca.

EDI in Research:

RSO can provide resources and support to research teams on the integration of equitable and inclusive practices in research design and research practice.

Contact edi.rso@ucalgary.ca for more information.

Research Security:

The Research Security Division is available to ensure researchers adhere to research security guidelines and policies, including the National Security Guidelines for Research Partnerships (NSGRP) and the policy on Sensitive Technology Research and Affiliations of Concern (STRAC).

Visit the Research Security website to learn more or contact researchsecurity@ucalgary.ca.

Pre-Award Submissions:

RMS: Creating a Pre-Award LOI
RMS: Creating a Pre-Award Application