DMG Accelerator
Request for Application
Innovative Combination Therapy Approaches for
Diffuse Intrinsic Pontine Glioma (DIPG) and Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG)
OVERVIEW
On behalf of the DMG Accelerator, the PNOC Foundation invites applications for a new funding initiative to accelerate the development of innovative combination therapy approaches for DIPG and DMG. This program is designed to catalyze high-impact, interdisciplinary collaborations that bring together scientists, clinicians, and industry partners around treatment strategies with a clear and credible path to clinical translation within 12 to 18 months. The urgency of need in this disease demands approaches that are not only scientifically bold but ready to move.
BACKGROUND
DIPG and DMG remain among the most devastating diagnoses in pediatric oncology. Median survival is under 12 months from diagnosis, and no therapy has meaningfully improved outcomes in decades. While recent advances in molecular characterization, immunotherapy, oncolytic viruses, and targeted agents have opened new scientific doors, the fragmented nature of the research landscape has slowed clinical translation. The PNOC Foundation on behalf of the DMG Accelerator believes that the next breakthrough will come from teams that combine expertise across disciplines and center their work on combination strategies designed for the complexity of this disease.
RESEARCH PRIORITIES
Applications must address DIPG or DMG and must propose a combination therapy approach. Priority will be given to proposals that:
Integrate teams from multiple disciplines (e.g., neuro-oncology, immunology, virology, pharmacology, bioengineering, computational biology, or industry)
Multi-PI applications representing cross-disciplinary fields are encouraged
Demonstrate a clear and achievable timeline for IND submission or first-in-human study initiation within 12 to 18 months of funding
AWARD INFORMATION
Funding Amount: Milestone-based and up to $1,000,000 (total costs)
Project Duration: Up to 18 months
ELIGIBILITY
This funding opportunity is open to a broad range of applicants. Applications from multi institutional and industry-academic teams are strongly encouraged. There is no requirement for U.S. affiliation; international applicants and collaborations are eligible. A principal investigator with demonstrated expertise in pediatric oncology, neuro-oncology, or a directly relevant discipline must be named. Early-career investigators leading applications with senior mentorship are also eligible.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
Applications consist of two components, both of which are required:
Component 1: Written Proposal (up to 2 pages)
The written proposal must not exceed two pages and must include the following elements:
Title and team: Project title, principal investigator(s), co-investigators, and institutional affiliations
Scientific rationale: The unmet need being addressed, the combination therapy approach proposed, and the scientific basis for expecting synergistic or additive benefit
Preliminary data: Summary of existing in vitro, in vivo, or early clinical evidence supporting the approach
Translational plan: Specific milestones, deliverables, and the path to IND submission or first-in-human initiation within 12 to 18 months
Why your team? Description of how the team’s interdisciplinary composition strengthens the proposal
Budget overview: Total funding requested and high-level allocation by major category
Component 2: Five-Minute Video
Applicants must submit a five-minute video in which the principal investigator and key team members introduce the project. The video should convey the scientific vision, the team, and the urgency of the approach. Formal production quality is not required; clarity and scientific enthusiasm are. Videos must be submitted as an unlisted YouTube link or equivalent hosted file accessible to reviewers.
REVIEW CRITERIA
Applications will be reviewed by an independent scientific review panel with expertise in pediatric neuro-oncology, translational research, immunotherapy, and drug development. Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:
Scientific innovation and strength of the combination therapy rationale (30%)
Quality and persuasiveness of preliminary data (25%)
Feasibility and credibility of the 12-to-18-month translational timeline (20%)
Interdisciplinary team composition and depth of collaboration (25%)
KEY DATES
| Mlestones | Date | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| RFA Released | June 23, 2026 | Broadly |
| Full Application Due | July 10, 2026 | |
| Review Period | July - August 2026; Scheduled interviews week of Sept 7, 2026 | Panel review; applicants notified of outcome |
| Funding Start | September 1, 2026 | Subject to completion of institutional agreements |
SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Applications must be submitted to the PNOC Foundation by email rfa@pnoc.us. No indirect costs are allowed.
CONTACT
For scientific questions or additional information, please contact us at rfa@pnoc.us. We encourage potential applicants to reach out before the letter-of-intent deadline.