What Is an Independent Investigator Grant?
Independent Investigator Grants are awarded to principal investigators. Let’s begin by explaining the role of a principal investigator. Principal investigators are typically faculty members (e.g., professor, associate professor, assistant professor) who lead a research lab as an expert in their field. As the lab leader, they are responsible for developing the research agenda, designing research projects, securing funding (often through grants like Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research’s (Rally)), and mentoring lab members (e.g., graduate students, fellows). Once researching independently as a principal investigator, also known as a PI, you are typically considered an early career investigator (i.e., young investigator) or fully independent. Young investigators are at a critical career stage where they must establish themselves through research, publications and grant funding....
What Is a Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellow Grant?
Before we get to that, let’s first address the difference between a postdoctoral fellow and a clinical research fellow. It can definitely be confusing. A postdoctoral fellow, also called a postdoc, is someone who completed a Ph.D. program and is now conducting research under the guidance of a principal investigator (mentor) with the goal of one day having their own lab. A clinical research fellow is someone who graduated from medical school and completed their residency. The fellowship provides subspecialty training. In Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research’s (Rally) case it would be a subspecialty in pediatric hematology/oncology (hemoc) that includes both clinical and research training. Typically, hemoc fellows spend their first year in the clinic doing patient care, the second year doing research, and the third year doing both. RESEARCH GRANTS Rally helps fund the most...
Five Pediatric Cancer Bills Cut From the 2025 Budget
Your Voice Matters Now More Than Ever We were so close to an epic year for childhood cancer. We had six bills that were in the end of year budget. But at the ‘ninth’ hour all childhood cancer bills, along with many other bills, were stripped. As Congress reconvenes, your voice matters more than ever. Your members need to hear from you that these bills must pass. The cuts included: Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act This bill would cut through the red tape that prevents children on Medicaid from accessing time-sensitive, life-saving care across state lines. Creating Hope Reauthorization Act This program incentivized the development of 65 new pediatric drugs. Its funding has expired, leaving critical research stalled and innovation slowed. Gariella Miller Kids First Research Act 2.0 to renew federal funding for a dedicated National Institues of Health program that supports research...
Dean’s Letter – December 2024
I love seeing pictures of our Rally Kids. But this one of 10-year-old #RallyKid Caroline hugging her older brother, Jack, hit me right in the gut. The love and connection captured in that embrace tells a story of resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable challenges. For most of her young life, Caroline has been fighting a relentless brain tumor — this is the only life she’s ever known. Caroline is fierce, spunky and incredibly courageous. She has endured countless rounds of chemotherapy, radiation, scans, pokes and surgeries. Yet, no matter what, she keeps a smile on her face that lights up the room. Her bravery inspires everyone who meets her, but the battle she faces is not one any child should have to endure. Sadly, Caroline’s story is not unique. Too many families, like Caroline’s and Brielle’s, are faced with the impossible. Treatment options for pediatric cancers are...
A Message From Brielle
Hi, my name is Brielle. I’m 8-years-old, and I’ve been fighting cancer for as long as I can remember. I was 4 when I first got sick, and for two years, I went through a lot of treatments. It wasn’t easy, but when it was all done, I finally got to be just a normal kid again. I went back to school, played with my friends and even took dance classes! I loved it. My favorite thing was spending time with my family — we had so much fun together. But then, the cancer came back. I lost my hair again. I had to leave my friends, my home and my family to go to a hospital far away. Most days, I just wish I could be home playing with my siblings or going to school. But instead, I’m in a hospital room, trying to be brave. I don’t want to do this again, but I have to. I’m going to keep fighting, because I believe I can beat this. That’s why I wear a necklace with my motto: #WeFight. It reminds me...
Rally Kid Brielle: A Little Girl with Big Dreams and an Even Bigger Fight
Brielle is a bright, beautiful 8-year-old who loves working on craft projects, dancing around the house and surrounding herself with all things pink and purple. Like most kids her age, she dreams of playing with her siblings, going to school and simply being a kid. But instead, Brielle’s dreams have been interrupted by something no child should ever have to endure: cancer. When Brielle was 4 years old, her family’s world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma. Two years of intense treatments followed — surgeries, chemotherapy and countless hospital stays. Despite it all, Brielle remained resilient, fighting her way to remission. When she reached the end of her treatment protocol, her family was filled with hope when she rang the bell and was declared cancer-free! For 22 beautiful months, Brielle got to live the life of a normal child again. But just as...
What Is an Independent Investigator Grant?
Independent Investigator Grants are awarded to principal investigators. Let’s begin by explaining the role of a principal investigator. Principal investigators are typically faculty members (e.g., professor, associate professor, assistant professor) who lead a research lab as an expert in their field. As the lab leader, they are responsible for developing the research agenda, designing research projects, securing funding (often through grants like Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer...
What Is a Postdoctoral and Clinical Research Fellow Grant?
Before we get to that, let’s first address the difference between a postdoctoral fellow and a clinical research fellow. It can definitely be confusing. A postdoctoral fellow, also called a postdoc, is someone who completed a Ph.D. program and is now conducting research under the guidance of a principal investigator (mentor) with the goal of one day having their own lab. A clinical research fellow is someone who graduated from medical school and completed their residency. The fellowship...
Five Pediatric Cancer Bills Cut From the 2025 Budget
Your Voice Matters Now More Than Ever We were so close to an epic year for childhood cancer. We had six bills that were in the end of year budget. But at the ‘ninth’ hour all childhood cancer bills, along with many other bills, were stripped. As Congress reconvenes, your voice matters more than ever. Your members need to hear from you that these bills must pass. The cuts included: Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act This bill would cut through the red tape that prevents children on Medicaid...
Dean’s Letter – December 2024
I love seeing pictures of our Rally Kids. But this one of 10-year-old #RallyKid Caroline hugging her older brother, Jack, hit me right in the gut. The love and connection captured in that embrace tells a story of resilience and hope in the face of unimaginable challenges. For most of her young life, Caroline has been fighting a relentless brain tumor — this is the only life she’s ever known. Caroline is fierce, spunky and incredibly courageous. She has endured countless rounds of chemotherapy,...
A Message From Brielle
Hi, my name is Brielle. I’m 8-years-old, and I’ve been fighting cancer for as long as I can remember. I was 4 when I first got sick, and for two years, I went through a lot of treatments. It wasn’t easy, but when it was all done, I finally got to be just a normal kid again. I went back to school, played with my friends and even took dance classes! I loved it. My favorite thing was spending time with my family — we had so much fun together. But then, the cancer came back. I lost my hair again....
Rally Kid Brielle: A Little Girl with Big Dreams and an Even Bigger Fight
Brielle is a bright, beautiful 8-year-old who loves working on craft projects, dancing around the house and surrounding herself with all things pink and purple. Like most kids her age, she dreams of playing with her siblings, going to school and simply being a kid. But instead, Brielle’s dreams have been interrupted by something no child should ever have to endure: cancer. When Brielle was 4 years old, her family’s world turned upside down when she was diagnosed with high-risk neuroblastoma....