FY 2025-26
Over 70 Years of Scientific Progress
In 1953, CRI was founded on a bold idea: the immune system could fight cancer. More than 70 years later, that idea has helped transform cancer treatment — and CRI is still pushing it forward.
We fund the science, connect the brightest minds, and accelerate discoveries that give patients more hope, more options, and more time.
Since 1953, CRI has invested
Over $600M into immunotherapy research
Promises Made,
Promises Kept
When researchers faced funding cuts and uncertainty, CRI doubled down — awarding more grants than ever to keep lifesaving cancer immunotherapy research moving forward.
Investing in the People Behind the Breakthroughs
At CRI, we don’t invest in projects — we invest in people. 2026 was our largest grantmaking year ever, demonstrating our continued commitment to cancer immunotherapy research.
$34.4M
New funding in 2026
93
New awards
50 Institutions
5 Countries
17 States
Global impact
Delivering on Our Promises
CRI’s funding advances the field by investing in exceptional scientists, enabling translational research, supporting shared scientific resources, and coordinating across the broader immunotherapy ecosystem.
Helping create a world immune to cancer.
2,500+ scientists. Countless bold ideas. One mission.
Research Programs
$53M since 2019
CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR
Scientists TAking Risks Program
Supporting exceptional mid-career scientists advancing bold, high-impact cancer immunotherapy research.
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Julie Deutsch, MD
Johns Hopkins University
Using advanced imaging and AI to advance personalized cancer care
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Justin Eyquem, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Engineering cancer-fighting T cells directly inside the body
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Jennifer Guerriero, PhD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital
Engineering immune cells to eliminate tumor-supporting macrophages
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Mohammad Rashidian, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Uncovering the signaling networks that keep T cells active
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Aaron Whiteley, PhD
University of Colorado Boulder
Decoding how beneficial microbes shape immune responses
$2.4M since 2026
IGNITE Award
Inspiring Growth and Nurturing Independence Through Excellence
Supporting exceptional early-career scientists as they launch independent research careers.
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Amin Aalipour, MD, PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Supercharging CAR T cells to tackle hard-to-treat cancers
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Adam Blaisdell, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Reawakening exhausted T cells to restore their cancer-killing power
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Chin San Loo, PhD
Harvard Medical School
Reprogramming T cells for enhancing anti-tumor immunity
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Luiz Henrique Medeiros Geraldo, MD, PhD
NYU Grossman School of Medicine
Breaking barriers to bring immunotherapy to brain tumors
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Simone Park, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Discovering how tissue-resident memory T cells can provide lasting protection against cancer recurrence
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James Swann, VetMB, DPhil
Columbia University
Blocking cancer’s ability to disarm the immune system
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Shayna Thomas-Jardin, PhD
UT Southwestern Medical Center
Disarming cancer’s stress response to restore immune attack
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Yahui Wang, PhD
Johns Hopkins University
Harnessing metabolism to strengthen the immune system against cancer
$35.2M since 2012
CLIP
Clinic & Laboratory Integration Program
Bridging laboratory discoveries and patient care to accelerate the development of new cancer immunotherapies.
$12.5M since 2017
Technology Impact Award
Supporting the development of transformative technologies that enable the cancer immunotherapies of tomorrow.
$53M since 2019
Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship
Training the next generation of scientific leaders driving the future of cancer immunotherapy.
$7.6M since 2023
Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship
Training interdisciplinary scientists to transform complex data into the discoveries shaping what comes next.
$12M since 2023
Clinical Programs
Advancing bold clinical trials that shape the future of cancer immunotherapy.
Clinical Innovator Awards
Sabine Heitzeneder, MD
Stanford University
Testing CAR T-cell therapy for children and young adults with difficult-to-treat brain tumors.
David Oh, MD, PhD
University of California, San Francisco
Identifying which prostate cancer patients will benefit most from immunotherapy to improve outcomes and prevent recurrence.
Aimee Talleur, MD
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Engineering longer-lasting CAR T cells to improve outcomes for children and young adults with high-risk leukemia.
Data Programs
Cancer Immunotherapy Insights + Impact (CI3)
Delivering trusted insights that help researchers, clinicians, and supporters navigate the future of cancer immunotherapy.
Discovery Engine
Building the AI-ready data infrastructure that powers the next generation of cancer immunotherapy discoveries.
Immuno-Oncology Landscape Dashboard
Making one of the field’s most comprehensive FDA cancer immunotherapy approval datasets searchable, accessible, and interactive.
Bioinformatics Bootcamp
Equipping early-career scientists with the computational skills driving the future of cancer immunotherapy.
Patient & Policy Programs
Empowering patients and caregivers with trusted resources to better understand cancer immunotherapy and make informed treatment decisions.
Clinical Trial Finder
Clinical Trial Finder
Connecting patients with cancer immunotherapy clinical trials matched to their diagnosis.
Patient Guides to Immunotherapy
Patient Guides to Immunotherapy
Explaining immunotherapy treatment basics to patients and caregivers in clear, accessible language.
Patient Resources
Patient Resources
Making the latest advances in cancer immunotherapy accessible through trusted educational resources.
Real Patients, Real Cancer Journeys
Real Patients, Real Cancer Journeys
Sharing real patient stories that bring hope to others and showcase the impact of cancer immunotherapy.
Guiding the Field
Beyond funding research, CRI serves as a trusted convener and communicator, helping connect the people and ideas that accelerate progress in cancer immunotherapy.
AACR Fireside Chat
At the 2026 AACR Annual Meeting, CRI celebrated pioneering advances in cancer immunology by honoring Kenneth M. Murphy, MD, PhD, and introducing a new fireside conversation format that highlighted scientific discovery and the future of the field.
Scripps News: Cancer Research at Risk
In this interview, Alicia Zhou, PhD, CEO of the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), explains how NIH funding reductions are already affecting cancer patients, delaying experimental therapies, and creating uncertainty for researchers across the United States.
The People v. Cancer Summit 2026
This timely discussion in Washington, D.C., convened clinicians, researchers, survivors, advocates, and patients to examine the evolving landscape of cancer care.
FY2026 Financial Overview
Transparent, Efficient, Impactful
CRI ensures donor funds drive breakthroughs:
Investing today in the people, ideas, and discoveries that are creating a world immune to cancer.
Join CRI in Shaping the Future of Immunotherapy
Support the pioneering work of CRI in advancing cancer research.