2026 Catalyst Grant Application

2026 Catalyst Grant Application
Overview
AVAHO awards the Catalyst Grant to a member in good standing who demonstrates need and merit for funding to conduct a research project or innovation that holds best practice promise. Catalyst grants help improve the care of Veterans with cancer and/or expand access to cancer clinical trials.

Purpose: to support investigators who conduct studies that aim to:
1. Improve the care of Veterans with cancer, and/or
2. Expand veteran access to cancer clinical trials.
Eligibility
Application reviews will prioritize proposals that are:
1. Innovative
2. Relevant to Veterans and the VHA
3. Conducted by investigators who have experience with the proposed methodology
4. Collaborative with other investigators in the VA
5. Designed to support the pursuit of future funding
6. Projects for consideration do not need to be IRB approved except in situations where the investigation meets the VHA Handbook definition of “research"
Eligibility:
- Minimum 4/8 ths appointment at a VA medical center
- Masters or doctorate degree in a healthcare related area of study
- Completed terminal degree or fellowship training within past 10 years
- Minimum one full year AVAHO membership
Please complete the following information to submit a Catalyst Grant Application to the AVAHO Foundation. You may apply for a grant up to $100,000, with most awards being in the $50,000 range. Awards will be granted to members in good standing, with a minimum membership of one (1) full year who demonstrate a need and merit for funding to conduct a research project or innovation that holds best practice promise.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact Julie Lawson, Executive Director, at julie@avaho.org.

Deadline for submission: November 15, 2026
Name

First NameLast Name
Holds at least a 4/8th appointment at following VA
Healthcare Terminal Degree held
Completion date of terminal degree or fellowship

MonthDayYear
2 digit month, 2 digit day, 4 digit yearDate
AVAHO Member in good standings for minimum of one year
IRB Status
You do not meet the eligibilty reqirements for this grant. If you have questions you may reach out to the AVAHO Executive Director at Julie@avaho.org
Upload your proposal below. Proposal should not exceed 5 pages excluding budget & bibliography

Please Include:
- Project title
- Project summary
- Research proposal
- Hypothesis and/or specific aim
- Significance, inovation, and rational
- Define releveance to VA cancer care
- Timeline: feasibility of project completion within 12-18 months
- Describe study design
- Provide background and/or summary of preliminary findings supporting this research
- Include your full name and VA in the header
- Format proposal in 12pt Arial with no less than 0.5" margins
Upload your proposal submission here. Save your file as "last name.catalyst2026" *

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Upload Budget. Limit to one page: This should denote expenses for personnel, equipment/start-up costs, travel, and other direct costs (i.e. material &supplies, animals, publication costs, etc.) Budget justification (Estimate the resources needed with a brief justification. You may include administrative overhead on top funding not to exceed 40%)

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Upload Bibliography

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Personal Email, to ensure delivery of status notification
example@example.com
Alternative email, to ensure delivery of status notification
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Should be Empty:

2026 Catalyst Grant Application

Overview

Eligibility