Goal
As an all volunteer organization, our goal is to have the maximum impact possible with the money we raise in the search for a cure for Ewing's Sarcoma. To do that, we seek out and fund innovative fledgling projects that will have a major impact on the field and greatly benefit from our support. Our hope is that our seed grants enable the project to receive NIH or other large sustaining funding. We also aspire to draw top talent into the field by providing opportunities for research, which could spawn future careers in this underserved arena. We encourage grant recipients to collaborate with others in the field as much as possible.
Grants
Our research grants typically range from $25,000-$50,000 and are generally awarded annually. We require that all funding is used to support research and not indirect costs. This insures that all of the money we raise is used to support our mission.
Pat Looney Sunbeam Scholar Grant:
In addition to primary research grants, the Sunbeam Foundation also supports researchers who are in the early stages of pursuing a career dedicated to Ewing's Sarcoma or other Pediatric Cancer. The Sunbeam Scholar Grant aims to help young researchers focus their energy on their research and career and not the pursuit of funding.
The grant is named in memory of our dear friend Pat Looney, who hosted the first fundraiser for the Sunbeam Foundation.
Process
When a new grant is announced, requests for proposals are sent to top institutions and researchers throughout the country. We do not utilize a formal RFP process. We invite researchers to send us a letter of interest that includes a curriculum vitae, budget, and a description of the project. Proposals are reviewed by third party experts using NIH standards. Grant recipients are chosen based on their score and the extent to which the project is in line with the Foundation's mission. To request notification about upcoming grants, please contact us at Info@sunbeamfoundation.org.
Our Success Story
Dr. Alejandro Sweet-Cordero, at Stanford University, was our first grant recipient in 2005. He approached us with a project to develop a mouse model of Ewing's Sarcoma, something that had never been done before. After several years of funding, Dr. Sweet-Cordero has successfully generated the mouse model, which he is now sharing with other researchers. His lab is also now receiving NIH funding for Ewing's Sarcoma related projects.
Since its inception, The Sunbeam Foundation has funded over $500,000 in grants to 10 labs and counting.