BASIC RESEARCH

The Hecht Foundation invites proposals for proof-of-principle basic science and preclinical research with a primary focus on cancer and a secondary emphasis on other devastating diseases (e. g. diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurodegenerative disease, opioid drug use, etc.). This funding opportunity is designed to support non-mainstream hypotheses and original projects that fall outside traditional funding mechanisms and have not previously received grant or award support.

In 2026, the Hecht Foundation will award up to $450,000 CAD per project over a three-year period.

This initiative seeks to catalyze high-risk, high-reward research by attracting emerging ideas that challenge conventional paradigms. Preliminary data is not required; however, proposals must be substantiated through:

• Extensive literature review
• Logical rationale for the hypothesis
• Demonstrated feasibility through cited publications or relevant unpublished data

Applicants must also clearly articulate the capabilities and management of the research team, including relevant expertise, available infrastructure, and access to necessary resources.

All submissions must comply with the general eligibility requirements. In addition, basic science competition-specific eligibility may be found below.

Proposals may originate from early-career or established investigators, and may be inspired by:

• Innovations from adjacent or unrelated disciplines
• Collateral findings discovered serendipitously
• Novel methodologies or conceptual frameworks

This funding stream will not support lead investigator salaries, large equipment, and overhead institutional expenses.

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