The Mary Kay Foundation is a non-profit public foundation, which focuses on funding research for innovative grants for translational research of cancers affecting women (predominantly ovarian, uterine, breast, endometrial or cervical cancer among others). Translational research is broadly defined as research that will provide a scientific link between laboratory research and the clinic. Ultimately, such research would lead to improvement in diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, or treatment of the cancer. Grants will be awarded in the amount of $100,000 over a two-year period.
Foundation Application Eligibility Requirements
- Only one grant application will be accepted from each accredited cancer research institute (Penn State Cancer Institute) or medical school (College of Medicine). No exceptions.
- Principal Investigator must be appointed a full-time assistant professor or higher at the time of application submission and commit a minimum 5% effort.
- Up to one co-PI is permitted and must meet the same eligibility requirements as PI (full-time assistant professor or higher).
Interested applicants should upload the following documents in sequence in one PDF file (File name: [Last name]_MaryKay_2024) no later than 4:00 p.m. on the internal submission deadline:
1. Cover Letter (1 page, pdf):
- Descriptive title of proposed activity
- PI name, college or campus, departmental affiliations(s) and contact information
- Co-PI's names, college or campus, and departmental affiliation(s)
- Names of other key personnel
- Participating institution(s)
- Title of this funding opportunity
2. Project Description (no more than two pages, pdf) identifying the project scope that addresses the key aspects and elements of the sponsor's solicitation, principal investigators, collaborators, and partner organizations. Reference can be included on an additional page.
3. Email of support from department chair or center director stating the PI will commit a minimum 5% effort of research protected time to the project if funded.
4. Current Financial Support (2 pages max.)
5. NIH-format Bio sketch or equivalent (5 pages max.)
Formatting Guidelines:
Font/size: Times New Roman (12 pt.)
Document margins: 1.0” (top, bottom, left and right)
Standard paper size (8 ½” x 11)
The Office of Foundation Relations is available to consult on proposal narrative elements and answer other foundation-related questions. Penn State College of Medicine applicants should please contact Jess Kiely, Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations, (jkiely1@pennstatehealth.psu.edu) for additional support.