To effectively support our focus on reducing breast cancer incidence and/or deaths within the decade, our research grants range from training awards that attract young investigators into the field of breast cancer to large Promise Grants supporting multiple integrated clinical and laboratory projects that come together to answer critical questions in breast cancer. Along this continuum, Komen supports Investigator Initiated Research Grants from established investigators and Career Catalyst Research Grants that seek to move promising young investigators toward research independence.   

 Our research focus has evolved over the years. In the beginning we focused on understanding the basic biology of breast cancer. As we learn more about the factors that make cancer cells grow and spread, we are able to invest more in the translation of this knowledge into treatment, early detection and prevention. 

Scientific Advisors

Komen's Scientific Advisory Board guides our research focus, identifying the most promising areas of research and the critical questions that need to be answered. The Komen Scholars along with members of Komen’s Advocates in Science, through a highly structured peer review process, help identify the most promising projects for funding.  With the guidance of these experts, Komen invests every research dollar as carefully and conscientiously as possible. 
 

Research Grants

Annually, we support many different types of research grants from all over the world, each designed to meet specific objectives and to optimize results. Requests for Applications (RFAs) are issued annually. Applications undergo a rigorous scientific peer review processes that involves Advocates in Science, Komen Scholars and other experts in the field.  
 
Komen research and training grantees become part of a unique science and financial management process that engages our researchers and sustains accountability. Please click here for a list of grantees from the 2010 – 2011 Grant cycle, and here for a historical record of grantees funded. 

Sponsored Programs and Partnerships

Our partnerships and special projects reflect unique opportunities to leverage the capacities of different organizations to address critical challenges and cross-cutting issues in research, clinical practice, and public health.  
 

Awards & Scholarships

 Through our Awards and Scholarships, we recognize leading scientists for their significant achievements and support young adults seeking to pursue college in the face of financial burdens due to the loss of a parent to breast cancer and sponsor recognition awards for those who have made significant contributions to our efforts to end breast cancer.   
 
 

Research Highlights

Research Fast Facts 

Komen Research Overview 
Common Chemotherapeutics
BRCA Gene Mutations 
Clinical Trials 
Complementary Medicine 
Early Detection 
HER2 Breast Cancer 
Metastasis 
Prevention 
Triple Negative Breast Cancer 
Vaccines   

Promise Grants

Promise Grant Snapshot
Forero-Zhou Summary
Garber-Polyak Summary
Robertson-Cristofanili Summary 
Schneider-Flockhart Summary 
Viale-Pagano Summary 
Yeung-Lee-Esteva Summary 

Research Hall of Fame

Dr. Lewis Chodosh 
Dr. Nancy Davidson 
Dr. Patricia Ganz 
Dr. V. Craig Jordan 
Dr. C. Kent Osborne 
Dr. Robert A. Weinberg 
 

Chronicles of Hope

 Kathryn Becker
Julie Zaveral 
Karen Durham 
Cindy Colangelo 
Jamie Savage 
Ute Bankamp      (en Español)  
Bonnie Olson 
Terri Swain 
Nicole Vazquez      (en Español) 
Rebecca West      (en Español) 

Stories of Discovery  

Finding Cancer's Achilles' Heel
Exploring the Universe of Sound 

Science Buzz 

Targeting Obesity to Prevent Breast Cancer
Predicting Risk for African American Women
 

Questions? 

 
  Contact the Komen Grants Help Desk at helpdesk@komengrantsaccess.org or 1 (866) 921-9678.