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Walk to End Bladder Cancer

BCAN Research Program

Peruse BCAN research awards and funded investigators

Since 2005, the Bladder Cancer Advocacy Network (BCAN) has played a pivotal role in advancing bladder cancer research, awarding more than $12 million in grants—particularly for high-risk, high-reward ideas that other funders may overlook. Our goal is to support the most promising research to improve understanding of bladder cancer and deliver better outcomes for patients and their loved ones. BCAN funds both early-career investigators and experienced researchers pursuing bold, innovative studies.

Read about the impact of our Research program

More than a funder, BCAN is a catalyst for collaboration and career development. We support researchers before, during, and beyond the grant period by providing mentorship, national visibility, and access to a thriving research network. More than one-third of our grantees report securing additional funding, launching new collaborations, or presenting findings as a direct result of BCAN support.

Looking ahead, BCAN is defining new research priorities while preserving the flexibility to fund transformative ideas. Potential focus areas include patient-centered care, immunobiology, machine learning, and intravesical therapies.

Whether supporting PhD students or launching team science grants, BCAN remains deeply committed to empowering researchers and driving meaningful progress—for better todays and more tomorrows for bladder cancer patients and families.

Explore BCAN’s Research Awards

Research Innovation Award

  • Supports seasoned researchers with exceptionally novel and creative projects with great potential to produce breakthroughs in our understanding of bladder cancer.
  • Must have direct applicability and relevance to bladder cancer and/or upper tract urothelial carcinoma and include innovative approaches and new ideas.
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Career Development Award

  • Supports junior investigators who have received their initial faculty appointment to establish an independent bladder cancer research program and career path.
  • Must have direct applicability and relevance to bladder cancer and/or upper tract urothelial carcinoma and must demonstrate the likelihood of translating new concepts into clinical practice.
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Young Investigator Awards

  • Supports the development of research scientists and clinical cancer research investigators who have demonstrated a commitment to improving the understanding and treatment of bladder cancer.
  • Must be specific to bladder cancer and/or upper tract urothelial carcinoma.
  • The BCAN YIA will also accept application submissions focused on a patient-centered clinical research question.
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John Quale Travel Fellowship

  • The Travel Fellowship Program provides travel and lodging stipends to attend the Bladder Cancer Think Tank, an annual scientific meeting.
  • The travel fellowship seeks to engage early career investigators with interests related to bladder cancer, including basic scientists, urologists, oncologists, and pathologists.
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Translational Clinical Trial Award

  • Supports early-phase patient-oriented research to revolutionize bladder cancer care.
  • Addresses innovative methods to alleviate the burden of care and overtreatment for bladder cancer patients across the entire spectrum of patient care, including bladder cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment.
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Patient-Centered Clinical Research Award

  • Supports  junior-level to senior-level full-time faculty investigators launching careers in patient-centered clinical research
  • Addresses shared decision making, access to care, quality of care, quality of life, health disparities, comparative effectiveness research, patient-centered outcomes research and survivorship.
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BCAN Continuity Grant

  • This grant supports U.S.-based bladder cancer research projects that either (1) were previously reviewed, approved, and funded but were disrupted due to termination of federal funding, or (2) were recently (within 18 months) reviewed by the NIH and deemed fundable but did not receive funding due to budget constraints or changes in funding mechanisms.
  • Must be specific to bladder cancer and/or upper tract urothelial carcinoma.
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View All Awards

Explore Our Research Resources and Projects

Discover The Bladder Cancer Think Tank

The annual BCAN Bladder Cancer Think Tank Meeting is the premier bladder cancer-specific medical meeting in North America, focused on identifying obstacles and creating solutions in bladder cancer research. The Think Tank supports new ideas and collaboration among participants from the medical, research, and patient communities. The meeting aims to accelerate progress in improving the diagnosis, treatment, and quality of life for people impacted by bladder cancer.

Access Think Tank Meeting Highlights

Read The Bladder Cancer Journal

Bladder Cancer is an international multidisciplinary journal dedicated to providing an open forum for original research in basic science, translational research, and clinical medicine that will expedite our fundamental understanding and improve the treatment of tumors of the bladder and upper urinary tract. Explore The Journal’s articles and contributors on the website.

View The Journal

Explore The Bladder Cancer Genomics Consortium

BCAN’s Bladder Cancer Genomics Consortium (BCGC) advances bladder cancer research. The BCGC’s is to provide the opportunity for every patient to be an exceptional responder to personalized therapy while advancing collaborative research to support the development of life-saving treatments for bladder cancer. Read about our work, partnerships, and genomics studies.

Review BCAN’s Genomics Consortium Information

Research Network and Advisors

The Bladder Cancer Research Network

BCAN’s Bladder Cancer Research Network (BCRN) is the cornerstone of our research mission. It is led by members of the Management Committee, comprised of leading doctors and scientists representing all aspects of bladder cancer research, including urology, medical oncology, basic science, pathology, radiation oncology, and population science.

View Committee Members

Meet BCAN’s Scientific Advisory Board

BCAN’s Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) comprises distinguished leading academic urologists, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and pathologists working within the bladder cancer field, representing many of the major cancer centers in the U.S. and Canada. All have made outstanding contributions in their fields.

View Advisory Board

Related Pages and Resources

  • Clinical Trials: Clinical trial opportunities for bladder cancer patients.
  • Policy Advocacy: BCAN advocates for policies to advance bladder cancer research and improve access to bladder cancer treatment.

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