Dana‑Farber/Harvard Breast Cancer Innovation Fund

Development Research Program

NIH-funded research Dana-Farber Cancer Inst · NIH-11015470

This program gives seed funding to speed new tests, treatments, and early trials for people with breast cancer.

Quick facts

Grant typeNIH-funded research
Study typeNIH-funded research
Funding institutionDana-Farber Cancer Inst NIH-funded
Lab location1 site (Boston, United States)
Project IDNIH-11015470 on NIH RePORTER

What this research studies

From a patient point of view, this program gives small, focused grants to Dana‑Farber/Harvard investigators so promising ideas for breast cancer can move faster toward the clinic. Awards are typically $50,000–$75,000 with additional support possible from partner hospitals, and funds can support lab work, use of patient samples, or early-stage clinical work. The program issues broad calls for proposals across DF/HCC member institutions and selects promising projects to receive rapid development support. Past DRP awards at DF/HCC have led to important publications, new external grants, and the launch of innovative clinical trials.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal participants are people with breast cancer who receive care at Dana‑Farber, Massachusetts General Hospital, Beth Israel Deaconess, or other DF/HCC member institutions and who are willing to join early clinical studies or donate samples.

Not a fit: People without breast cancer or patients who do not receive care at the DF/HCC member hospitals are unlikely to be eligible or to directly benefit from these funded projects.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, the program could speed development of new treatments and increase access to early clinical trials for breast cancer patients at participating centers.

How similar studies have performed: This seed‑funding model has a strong track record at DF/HCC, with prior DRP awards producing high‑impact papers, new grants, and new clinical trials.

Where this research is happening

Boston, United States

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.
Conditions Breast CancerCancer CenterDana-Farber Cancer Institute
Last reviewed 2026-06-13 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.