Jane Coffin Childs Fund Partners with Hope Funds for Cancer Research

Strategic Partnership to Boost Cancer Research

On July 2, 2025, the Jane Coffin Childs Memorial Fund for Medical Research announced an exciting collaboration with the Hope Funds for Cancer Research. This new alliance is designed to provide significant funding support for outstanding postdoctoral Fellows working in the field of biomedical research, thereby expanding both organizations' efforts to cultivate the next generation of scientific leaders.

Addressing the Need for Research Funding

With federal funding cuts threatening the availability of resources essential for scientific endeavors, the need for alternative funding sources has never been more urgent. The collaboration aims to enhance the number of Fellowships awarded, ensuring ongoing support for promising research initiatives. Through a meticulous joint review process, Dr. David Klawon from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology was selected as the inaugural recipient of the fellowship.

Dr. Klawon's research focuses on the immune system's role in various diseases, particularly lung cancer. His work will delve into how immune cells can both combat and promote tumor growth, offering potentially groundbreaking insights into cancer treatment.

A Collective Vision

Professor Bryan R. G. Williams, Chair of the Hope Funds Board of Trustees, expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, "Hope Funds is enthusiastic to partner with an organization of the Jane Coffin Childs Fund's stature and support the work of Dr. David Klawon, an exceptional candidate whose work reflects our commitment to promoting scientific innovation."

The Hope Funds for Cancer Research, established in 2006, emphasizes the need for innovative research to tackle some of the most difficult-to-treat cancers. By funding projects that defy traditional paradigms around cancer research, the organization aims to support novel scientific inquiries that could yield significant breakthroughs. They select funding recipients based on project originality, relevance, researcher's qualifications, and the quality of their working environment, making for a highly competitive selection process.

A Legacy of Innovation

Since its establishment, the Hope Funds has successfully supported 61 fellows, each demonstrating the highest probability of successful outcomes based on robust scientific and economic assessments. This partnership with the Jane Coffin Childs Fund stands as a hallmark of collaborative philanthropy, amplifying bold ideas, accelerating scientific discoveries, and empowering future leaders in the domain of cancer research.

Dr. Anita Pepper, Executive Director of the Jane Coffin Childs Fund, remarked, "When visionary organizations come together, the impact is exponential. This partnership exemplifies the power of collaborative philanthropy—amplifying bold ideas, accelerating scientific discovery, and empowering the next generation of leaders to transform cancer research."

The Jane Coffin Childs Fund, created in 1937 by the Childs family, was founded in honor of Jane Coffin Childs to support initiatives focusing on the causes and treatment of cancer. Over the years, its mission has expanded to encompass broader scientific research aimed at understanding and treating various human diseases. In 2023, the Fund's Board of Scientific Advisors selected 29 new fellows from a record applicant pool, highlighting the growing interest and enthusiasm in cancer research.

More information about the Jane Coffin Childs Fund and the Hope Funds for Cancer Research can be found on their respective websites Hope Funds and Jane Coffin Childs Fund. This collaboration represents a significant step forward in fostering advanced research that may lead to innovative cancer therapies and diagnostics, ensuring a brighter future for patients and the scientific community alike.