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“The Sontag Foundation provides mentorship, direct exposure, and access to a cadre of senior and peer mentors that is unattainable in any other setting.”

Lionel Chow, M.D., PhD ’11 DSA
Wright State University
Children’s Hospital of Dayton
Brand photography for The Sontag Foundation
Key Dates

2026 Application Portal will open: 1/12/2026

2026 Application Deadline: 3/18/2026 (11:59pm ET)

2026 Funding Awards Announced: Fall 2026

 

Brand photography for The Sontag Foundation
Guidelines

Before applying, carefully read the grant information and FAQs posted through the link below.

Grant information and FAQ’s

 

 

Brand photography for The Sontag Foundation
Funding

This prestigious $750,000 award is paid over a five-year period at $150,000 per year.

*In 2023, the total funding award increased to $750,000 over a five-year period. Prior year funding was $600,000 disbursed over a four-year period.

Reflections

Becoming a Sontag Distinguished Scientist

“The Sontag Foundation’s support of people rather than a specific idea or project is refreshing and much appreciated. I felt empowered to think and do things differently and it motivated me to make a difference in the lives of brain cancer patients as quickly as possible. I try to support my lab members the same way.”

Santosh Kesari, M.D., Ph.D. ’06 DSA
Chair, Department of Translational Neurosciences
& Neurotherapeutics
Pacific Neuroscience Institute

2026 FAQs

Budget Related

Q: Should PIs be using the NIH salary cap for their budget? A: We count on PI to determine salary based on the institutional base salary by % effort.

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Have a Question?

Shandra Koler manages the portfolio of grants and contracts for the Foundation and assists grant applicants interested in applying for this award.

Shandra Koler
Senior Program Officer