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What is the Rhabdo Coalition?
We are a network of nonprofits and advocates united by a shared mission: accelerating progress in rhabdomyosarcoma research and improving support for families facing this rare cancer. Many of our organizations were founded by families who have faced unimaginable loss - and we are determined to change the future for those still fighting and honor our children. Through collaboration, funding, and education, we strive to drive meaningful advancements in treatment options and provide a strong community for those affected by rhabdomyosarcoma.
What is the Rhabdo Coalition Collaborative Grant?
While each organization maintains its own mission and funding decisions, we share a collective goal: to accelerate progress in research, care, and outcomes through strategic coordination. The goals of the RC Collaborative Grant are to:
- Provide a high-quality grant review process for RC members who fund research
- Ensure a consistent and smooth process to collaboratively fund projects, allowing all of our funds to make a bigger impact
- Provide one grant application and review process to support rhabdomyosarcoma community of stakeholders
- Be a trusted and known funding partner for those seeking funds
Process
1. Register
Click on the "Register" link and complete and submit the registration form.
2. Login
Login to the award with your email and password.
3. Create
Create your online application.
4. Save
During the Call for Applications period, your application can be saved as DRAFT until all the required information is completed and attachments uploaded. As each section is complete, you will see a 
appear in the category tab when the application is saved. At any time, you can download and print your application by clicking on the 
icon in the Application Summary section.
5. Submit
On completion, save your Application as FINAL. Download and print a copy of your application for your records by clicking on the icon in the Application Summary section in the right column. Note: If an update is required prior to the Call for Applications period, you can make the update and resave as FINAL.
If you require assistance or additional information, please contact the Program Administrator.
The Rhabdo Coalition uses a centralized application and scientific review process designed to make collaborative funding as streamlined as possible for investigators and participating nonprofit organizations.
Applicants submit one application through the Grant application portal for consideration by all participating Rhabdo Coalition funding organizations
As the new work environment is still unknown for many organizations, there are 4 questions we hear most often:
- How can I manage our application and review programs efficiently if we continue to work remotely?
- Can we increase our program awareness and reach our target audience without in-person conferences and events?
- Can we make it easier for program recipients and alumni to complete post-program requirements and keep us posted on their career development?
- How do we know if our marketing outreach has been successful?
Applicants should be prepared to provide the following:
- Investigator and Project Information
a. Principal Investigator contact, institution, department, appointment, and career-stage information
b. Mentor information, if applicable
c. Key collaborators and institutions
d. Project title
e. Proposed project period: 1 or 2 years
f. Total funding requested
g. Primary Rhabdo Coalition funding priority
- Rhabdomyosarcoma Relevance -150 words maximum
Describe the project's specific relevance to rhabdomyosarcoma, including the RMS-specific scientific question, biological mechanism, molecular or therapeutic target, patient population, dataset, model, resource, or other component addressed. - Data, Resource Sharing, and Collaboration - 200 words maximum
Describe how data, resources, methods, models, biospecimens, reagents, or other outputs generated through the project will be shared or leveraged to benefit the broader rhabdomyosarcoma research community. - Funding Leverage and Impact - 150 words maximum
Describe what Rhabdo Coalition funding would enable and how it would change the trajectory of the proposed work. - Partial Funding - brief response (if applicable)
Indicate whether the project could meaningfully proceed with less than the full amount requested. If applicable, provide the approximate minimum funding level and briefly describe what could be accomplished at that level. - Other Funding - brief response (if applicable)
Identify other current, pending, or planned funding for the project and describe any relationship to or overlap with the Coalition proposal.
- Project Overview and Lay Summary - 250 words maximum
Provide a concise, nontechnical summary of the project, its objectives, and its potential relevance to patients and families affected by rhabdomyosarcoma.
- Scientific Abstract and Specific Aims - ½ page maximum
Summarize the research objectives, central rationale, and specific aims. - Significance and Impact - 1 page maximum
Describe the unmet need, significance to rhabdomyosarcoma research, relationship of the aims to the project's goals, and potential longer-term impact. - Approach - 2 pages maximum
Describe the overall research strategy, methodology, planned analyses, preliminary data when available, anticipated challenges and alternative approaches, and a realistic timeline for completion. - Literature Cited - maximum 30 references
References do not count toward Research Plan page limits.
- NIH-Format Biosketches - maximum 5 pages each
Required for the Principal Investigator and, when applicable, the project's mentor and other key personnel. - Budget and Budget Justification - 1 page maximum
Provide a high-level project budget and justification. Direct and indirect costs must be identified separately, including the institutional indirect cost rate applied. - Human Subjects - ½ page maximum, if applicable
Provide the applicable IRB approval number or current status of the IRB application. - Vertebrate Animals - ½ page maximum, if applicable
Provide the applicable IACUC approval number or current status of the IACUC application. - Letters of Support/Collaboration - as applicable
Include letters from collaborators or consultants who will have a substantive role in the proposed project.
All complete applications undergo one centralized scientific review by the Rhabdo Coalition Scientific Advisory Board (SAB). The SAB provides its scientific reviews and recommendations to participating Coalition organizations.
The Rhabdo Coalition does not maintain a centralized funding pool. Following scientific review, each participating nonprofit organization independently determines whether and at what level it wishes to support recommended projects. A favorable scientific review does not guarantee funding.
Applicants submit one application for consideration by all participating funders and, if selected, proceed through a coordinated award process.
Projects selected for funding will operate under one overall Rhabdo Coalition award agreement establishing the common project scope, period of performance, milestones, reporting expectations, acknowledgement requirements, and other applicable terms.
Each participating nonprofit funder will sign a separate funding addendum documenting its individual financial commitment and payment terms. This structure allows multiple organizations to collaboratively support a single project while maintaining independent control over their charitable funding commitments.
Award recipients will be expected to acknowledge support from the
Rhabdo Coalition and participating funding organizations
in publications, presentations, posters, abstracts, public communications,
and other materials resulting from the funded work.
Specific acknowledgement language and participating funders will be provided
with the award agreement.
Funded investigators will submit one consolidated annual/final scientific report for the collaboratively funded project rather than separate scientific reports to each participating organization.
The report will include:
- progress toward stated aims and milestones;
- key findings and outcomes;
- challenges or significant changes in approach;
- publications, presentations, datasets, resources, collaborations, or other research outputs;
- use of Coalition funds and significant budget changes;
- next steps and anticipated scientific or patient impact; and
- a brief, accessible impact statement or quote that participating nonprofits may use in donor and community communications.
Application Timeline
| Date | Milestone |
|---|---|
| September 19, 2026 | Rhabdo Coalition Collaborative Research Grant opportunity announced at CureFest during State of Sarcoma |
| October 17, 2026 | Application period opens; the application portal becomes available |
| November 30, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time | Applications due |
| December 1, 2026 – January 30, 2027 | Scientific Advisory Board review |
| January 30, 2027 | SAB reviews completed and scientific recommendations provided to participating Rhabdo Coalition organizations |
| January 30 – February 15, 2027 | Participating nonprofit organizations independently determine funding commitments; award agreements and financial addenda prepared and finalized for projects selected for funding |
| March 1, 2027 | Anticipated project start date |
Submission and Review Process
Applications must be submitted electronically through the portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 30, 2026. The application portal will open on October 15, 2026.
Applicants should submit one complete application for consideration through the Rhabdo Coalition's centralized scientific review process. All required application components and supporting materials should be included as directed within the Grants portal.
LOGIN HERE
Applicants will receive confirmation that their application has been received.
Applications will undergo centralized scientific review by the Rhabdo Coalition Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) from December 1, 2026, through January 30, 2027. The SAB will provide its scientific reviews and recommendations to participating Coalition organizations by January 30.
Following SAB review, participating nonprofit organizations will independently determine whether and at what level they wish to support recommended projects. A favorable scientific review or recommendation does not guarantee funding.
Funding decisions are anticipated by February 15, 2027. For projects selected for support, funding will be coordinated through a single award agreement, with separate financial addenda reflecting each participating organization's financial commitment.
The anticipated project start date is March 1, 2027.
