Brain Tumor Funders' Collaborative (BTFC) has a request for proposals out for a two-year, $500,000 research grant to fund research that focuses on liquid biopsy for primary brain tumors in pediatric, adolescent and young adult (AYA), and/or adult patients.
Liquid biopsy research involves collection and testing of blood, cerebral spinal fluid, or other bodily fluids for detecting signs of a tumor via fragments of circulating tumor DNA, proteins, or tumor cells, BTFC noted. The research should be practice-changing and must be focused on liquid biopsy for one or more of the following purposes for human primary brain tumors:
- Screening or diagnosis
- Detection of minimal residual disease
- Distinguishing progression from pseudoprogression
- Monitoring for brain tumor progression
- Monitoring for response or resistance to treatment
BTFC consists of four philanthropic and advocacy organizations, including the American Brain Tumor Association, Brain Tumour Foundation of Canada, National Brain Tumor Society, and the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation. The liquid biopsy grants are also supported by Anonymous Family Foundation, Dragon Master Initiative, the Glioblastoma Research Organization, the Sontag Foundation, Southeastern Brain Tumor Foundation, and StacheStrong, BTFC said.
The grant opportunity is open to a team of two or more faculty-level researchers at distinct institutions. Researchers can access the request for proposals on the BTFC's website. The deadline is January 16, 2025.