#United States #Research Grants #Osteosarcoma #MIB Agents #Barnard

MIB Agents Accepting Letters of Intent for Research Grants

MIB Agents, a prominent nonprofit focused on pediatric osteosarcoma, has opened the submission process for Letters of Intent (LOI) for its annual OutSmarting Osteosarcoma research grant program starting September 24, 2025. The initiative, launched in 2017, aims to push forward research efforts for osteosarcoma, a malignant bone cancer that impacts approximately 1,000 individuals annually in the U.S., with a significant portion being children and adolescents.

Over the past nine years, MIB Agents has committed $2.5 million to support 32 research projects, fostering the advancement of osteosarcoma research. The organization also provides distinctive funding opportunities, including a $100,000 Hero Award and a $50,000 Young Investigator Research Hope Award aimed at supporting early career researchers.

The OutSmarting Osteosarcoma grant program is bolstered by the MIB Agents Family Funds, which consist of contributions from families affected by osteosarcoma who raise funds in honor of either current patients, dubbed OsteoWarriors, or those who have passed, referred to as OsteoAngels. Christina Ip-Toma, Director of Scientific Programs at MIB Agents, emphasized that this grant program is more than just funding; it represents a partnership where families and researchers collaborate. "Through Family Funds, families raise crucial funding to support innovative projects while nurturing the career development of promising investigators who are committed to tackling this disease. By merging patient insight with scientific acumen, we are not just hopeful but actively accelerating discoveries that lead to better treatments and improvements in outcomes for those battling osteosarcoma," she stated.

Moreover, the funding process is characterized by an inclusive collaboration that engages both the scientific community and patient advocates. The grants are supported through collaborations with other foundations dedicated to pediatric cancer research, ensuring that projects undergo rigorous scientific peer reviews.

The review process itself is quite collaborative: while MIB Agents' Scientific Review Committee conducts detailed evaluations, family fund stakeholders participate as reviewers, scoring applications based on their impact on patients. This approach provides a rich and well-rounded review process that integrates feedback from those who are directly affected by osteosarcoma.

For those interested in submitting an LOI, full details regarding eligibility and requirements can be found on the MIB Agents website. Submissions are accepted through the Proposal Central online platform until October 24, 2025, at 11:59 PM ET. The proposals will undergo peer review, and the top-ranked submissions will be invited to complete a full application by January 25, 2026. Award announcements will occur in early May 2026.

About MIB Agents

Founded in 2012, MIB Agents achieved 501(c)(3) nonprofit status in 2016, positioning itself as a leading organization committed to improving conditions for patients, families, medical professionals, researchers, and industry partners through education and research.

For more information regarding the grant submission process, potential applicants can reach out to MIB Agents through their official contact details.