News & Announcements
See below for recent happenings and exciting progress from the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment.
Apply Now: Implementation and Outcomes Research
June 5, 2025
The CARE Board is pleased to announce its Implementation and Outcomes Research Cycle 2 funding opportunity is now open and is scheduled to close on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, 4:00 p.m. (PT). Award decisions are anticipated to be made in March 2026.
This grant opportunity seeks to support innovative and meritorious cancer researchers, at all levels, and teams seeking to translate promising research and scientific discoveries into effective interventions, tools, devices, technologies, or therapeutics related to cancer. This funding opportunity seeks to support the implementation or translation of innovative ideas in cancer research that significantly advances one or more of the following:
Improve cancer prevention and early detection (e.g., novel screening methods, risk reduction strategies);
Improve cancer diagnosis and treatment (e.g., implementation of more precise diagnostics, effective therapies, personalized medicine approaches); or
Improve patient outcomes and quality of life (e.g., treatment efficacy, including reduced side effects, enhance patient well-being).
Grantee Convening Celebrates 10 Years of CARE Fund
June 5, 2025
On May 22, 2025, CARE Fund hosted its CARE Fund Grantee Convening. The evening brought together over 100 attendees for a unique opportunity to encourage collaboration with colleagues and other leaders in cancer research and share insights to foster learning, innovation, and partnership.
CARE Fund was honored to recognize Dr. Fred Appelbaum and Dr. David Byrd as Honorary Co-Chairs for this year's convening. Thank you to the evening’s speakers: Maura Little, CARE Board Vice Chair; Dr. Fred Appelbaum, inaugural CARE Board Chair; and Dr. Yaw Nyame, a CARE Fund Distinguished Researchers and Population Health Grantee, for their thoughtful and inspiring remarks. Thank you to everyone who joined us at this year’s Grantee Convening, celebrating CARE Fund’s 10-year anniversary. We look forward to future gatherings.
Over $10 million for Implementation and Outcomes Research
April 3, 2025
This grant opportunity aims to support innovative investigators from eligible organizations to translate promising research and scientific discoveries into the development of tools, devices, technologies, therapeutics, or interventions, that have the potential to address cancer care across the cancer continuum that will ultimately advance cancer care, lessen the burden of cancer, and improve health outcomes.
CARE Fund congratulates the inaugural grantees in this category, to support implementation, translational, and outcomes research that advance the application of scientific discoveries and technologies or informs how the application of scientific discoveries impact patients and populations. A total of 10 grantees are awarded up to $10,256,298 as follows:
Dotquant LLC (Principal Investigator: Hongyan Liu, PhD)
A Three-in-One HER Family Targeted RNA Drug for Breast CancerFred Hutchinson Cancer Center (Principal Investigator: Heather Greenlee, ND, PhD, MPH; Amanda Fretts, PhD, MPH)
Partnering with Washington State Tribal Communities to Develop Culturally-Tailored Nutrition Resources and Reduce Cancer Health DisparitiesSeattle Children's Research Institute (Principal Investigator: Jim Olson, MD, PhD)
Converting an Immunotherapy Resistance Mechanism into a Vulnerability Using Slow-Release Local ImmunotherapySeattle Children's Research Institute (Principal Investigator: Jonathan Tang, PhD)
Advanced Platform for Developing Conditionally Stable Sensors and Effectors for Cancer Applications
Talus Bioscience, Inc. (Principal Investigator: Alex Federation, PhD)
Development of a Direct Inhibitor of the Brachyury Transcription Factor for Chordoma and Non-Small Cell Lung CancerUniversity of Washington (Principal Investigator: Xiaohu Gao, PhD)
RNA Therapeutics: Bridging the Gap Between Research and TranslationUniversity of Washington (Principal Investigator: Peggy Hannon, PhD, MPH)
Workplace Cancer Prevention and Screening: Scaling Up Connect to Wellness for Employees in Low-Wage Industries Across Washington StateUniversity of Washington (Principal Investigator: Paul Nghiem, MD, PhD)
Advancing Merkel Cell Carcinoma Management: Improved Recurrence Detection and New Approaches for Immunotherapy-Refractory DiseaseUniversity of Washington (Principal Investigator: Sarah Psutka, MD, MSc; Cindy Lin, MD, FACSM, FAAPMR)
Phase II Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial evaluating a Scalable, Personalized Home-Based Activity Intervention with ExerciseRx in Survivors with Nonmuscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: The EMPOWER TrialWayfinder Biosciences, Inc. (Principal Investigator: David Sparkman-Yager, PhD)
Developing Novel Small Molecule Therapeutics for MYC-Driven Cancers Using Wayfinder Biosciences' Proprietary RNA-Drugging Platform
$1M Investment Powers Ovarian Cancer Research in 2024 and 2025
March 27, 2025
In partnership with the Rivkin Center for Ovarian Cancer Research, CARE Fund’s Board of Directors is pleased to announce the 2025 Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Awards recipients. The Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Awards are a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership to invest $1M in ovarian cancer research in Washington.
The 2025 Rivkin Center/CARE Fund awardees are described below:
Mary L. "Nora" Disis, MD, University of Washington, a vaccine to prevent ovarian cancer metastatic spread
Megan Shen, PhD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, adaptation of Helping Ovarian Cancer Patients Cope (HOPE) for Clinician Burnout
These awards exemplify the shared dedication of CARE Fund and the Rivkin Center to invest in research that has the potential to significantly enhance understanding, prevention, detection, and treatment of ovarian cancer.
"Both the Rivkin Center and CARE Fund remain committed to advancing cancer research. By working together to fund ovarian cancer studies in Washington State, we are continuing to build on that legacy. The discoveries made through this partnership will have a lasting impact on families, friends, and communities," said Dr. Elizabeth Lawlor, Chair of the CARE Board of Directors.
“Through our partnership with the CARE Fund and with the help of donors committed to scientific research, we have made an unprecedented investment in ovarian cancer research in Washington State to help get the answers we need to save more lives,” said Rivkin Center CEO, Molly O’Connor. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have such innovative leaders in ovarian cancer research right here in our state.”
On April 1, 2025, the Rivkin Center will combine with the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance (OCRA), a national grantmaker investing in ovarian and gynecologic cancer research. The CARE Board looks forward to future opportunities for collaboration that will positively impact cancer research and improve patient outcomes for all Washingtonians.
CARE Fund Requests Input on Impact of New Policy Changes
February 13, 2025
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) announced a 15% cap on indirect cost rate for all research grants on February 7, 2025. This cap applies to all new and existing grants starting February 10, 2025. Indirect costs cover institutional expenses such as facility maintenance, equipment, and administrative support essential to conducting research.
As of this posting on February 13, 2025 a federal judge issued a temporary restraining order barring the administration from imposing the policy in response to two separate lawsuits. A hearing is scheduled for both cases February 21, 2025.
The Andy Hill CARE Fund seeks input from researchers, partners, patient advocates, and the community to inform the CARE Board of Directors about the potential impact on cancer research and patient care in Washington State.
If the recent NIH policy change has affected your work, we encourage you to share your experiences and concerns with us using the contact form on our website. If you have taken steps in response to the new policy, please share that as well.
Please include any information about potential impacts of the policy change on cancer disparities in your community.
Your feedback to CARE Fund by February 28, 2025 through our contact form is appreciated. Your response may be submitted anonymously.
Please forward this to colleagues who you think may be interested in sharing their input.
Funding Opportunity Now Open: CARE Fund Scientific Discoveries Research
January 6, 2025
The CARE Board is pleased to announce that its new Scientific Discoveries Research Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open and is scheduled to close on Wednesday, March 5, 2025 (4:00 p.m. PT). Award decisions are anticipated to be announced in August 2025.
This grant opportunity seeks to support innovative and meritorious cancer researchers and teams pursuing scientific discoveries and breakthrough ideas in the fight against cancer. This opportunity will not only catalyze the next breakthroughs in cancer research but also may help bridge early discoveries and commercialization of therapeutics, devices, and tools to lessen the burden of cancer.
Important information regarding this opportunity includes:
The anticipated award range is $250,000 to $1.5 million per grant, inclusive of direct and indirect costs.
The grant project period is up to two years with an expected start date no earlier than October 2025.
A minimum one-to-one (1:1) non-state funding match to the requested grant funds is required and must be secured at the time of application submission.
Grant payments will be made as reimbursement based on actual expenditures.
Awards will be determined based on scientific merit as determined by third-party independent peer review.
Eligible organizations include but are not limited to Washington State companies, higher education institutions, research institutions, local health jurisdictions, Tribal governments, Tribal entities, nonprofit institutions, and Urban Indian Organizations. Applicants must have substantial presence in Washington State.
Organizations may submit up to five (5) applications for this funding opportunity, but a Principal Investigator may not submit more than one application.
All grants will be made in accordance with the CARE Fund’s policies and applicable laws, including the CARE Fund statute (Chapter 43.348 Revised Code of Washington).
Rivkin Center/ CARE Fund Awards Now Open
September 4, 2024
The CARE Board is excited to announce a second year of public-private collaborative funding with the Rivkin Center to promote ovarian cancer research in Washington, the Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Awards.
Details on the Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Awards are as follows:
Awards are a maximum of $200,000 over 2 years
Includes up to 30% in indirect costs
Eligibility: Washington State ovarian cancer researchers at the assistant, associate, or full professor level (or equivalent)
Application Deadline: December 2, 2024 at 5pm EST
Learn more about award details, eligibility, and application requirements here. All application materials should be submitted through proposalCENTRAL by December 2, 2024. Funding begins on April 1, 2025.
Because the Rivkin Center demonstrates a 1:1 nonstate match to CARE Fund's investment, grant applicants are not required to demonstrate nonstate matching funds.
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month! Last year's Rivkin Center/CARE Fund awardees are profiled here.
Implementation & Outcomes Research Request for Proposals (RFP) Now Open
June 12, 2024
The CARE Board is pleased to announce its new Implementation & Outcomes Research Request for Proposals (RFP) is now open. The application deadline is Tuesday, August 13, 2024 (5:00 p.m. PT). Award decisions are anticipated in February 2025.
The intent of this grant opportunity is to support innovative investigators who translate promising research and scientific discoveries into the development of tools, devices, technologies, therapeutics, or interventions related to cancer. The intent is also to support those evaluating the outcomes of implementing these interventions, that have the potential to address cancer care across the implementation/translational cancer continuum that will ultimately advance cancer care, lessen the burden of cancer, and improve health outcomes. Projects that include services including quantifiable outcomes data suitable for efficacy research are eligible.
Important information regarding this opportunity:
The anticipated award range is $250,000 to $1.5 million per grant, inclusive of direct and indirect costs.
The grant project period is up to 2 years with an expected start date no earlier than April 2025.
A one-to-one (1:1) non-state funding match to the requested grant funds is required and must be secured at the time of application submission.
Grant payments will be made as reimbursement based on actual expenditures.
Awards will be determined based on scientific merit as determined by third-party independent peer review.
Eligible organizations include but are not limited to Washington State companies, higher education institutions, research institutions, local health jurisdictions, Tribal governments, Tribal entities, nonprofit institutions, and Urban Indian Organizations. Applicants must have substantial presence in Washington State.
Organizations may submit up to five (5) applications for this funding opportunity, but a Principal Investigator may not submit more than one application.
All grants will be made in accordance with the CARE Fund’s policies and applicable laws, including the CARE Fund statute (Chapter 43.348 Revised Code of Washington).
The complete Implementation and Outcomes Research RFP, including application guidance, is available on the CARE Fund website.
A separate, subsequent grant opportunity for FY25 is anticipated to be released in January 2025. Please check CARE Fund's website and LinkedIn page for the latest news.
Groundbreaking Partnership Fuels $1M Investment in Ovarian Cancer Research in Washington
May 7, 2024
CARE Fund, in partnership with the Rivkin Center, is pleased to announce the 2024 recipients of the new Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Awards. This first-of-its-kind public-private partnership will invest $1M in ovarian cancer research in Washington state over the next two years.
The 2024 Rivkin Center/CARE Fund awardees are:
Dr. Holly Harris, MPH, ScD, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, Identifying ovarian cancer risk factors among women with endometriosis
Dr. Elizabeth Swisher, MD, University of Washington, Overcoming barriers to genetic testing for hereditary ovarian cancer risk, a key step toward prevention
These awards represent the shared commitment of CARE Fund and the Rivkin Center to invest in research that has the potential to dramatically improve understanding, prevention, detection and treatment of ovarian cancer.
“Through our partnership with the CARE Fund, we are making an unprecedented investment in ovarian cancer research in Washington state to help get the answers we need to save more lives,” said Rivkin Center CEO Molly O’Connor. “We’re incredibly fortunate to have such committed leaders in ovarian cancer research right here in our state.”
"Both the Rivkin Center and Andy Hill CARE Fund have a strong record of promoting cancer research. With the collaboration of these two organizations to invest in cancer research in Washington state, we are making history. We look forward to the results, which will improve the health of family members, friends, neighbors and communities," said David R. Byrd, MD, Chair of the CARE Fund Board.
Each awardee will receive $200,000 over two years. The partnership anticipates awarding up to $600,000 in new grants in 2025.
The CARE Board has Released its New Strategic Plan
March 21, 2024
The Andy Hill CARE Board of Directors is proud to present its Strategic Plan for the period July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2026.
This Strategic Plan represents the work of many stakeholders, including past and current grantees, government partners, private sector life science stakeholders, patient advocates, clinicians, and cancer researchers. The Strategic Plan represents the CARE Board’s best thinking about how to effectively advance the CARE Fund’s statutory purpose: to make grants for the promotion of cancer research in Washington. Washington State’s sustained investment in cancer research, prevention, and care is critical to reducing long-term health costs, saving lives, and relieving pain and suffering.
CARE Fund is grateful to the External Advisory Committee, appointed in 2023 and made up of independent, nationally recognized experts in the scientific, clinical, ethical, commercial, and regulatory aspects of cancer research, prevention, and care to advise the endowment during the development and review of its strategic plans for cancer research.
A Milestone Year: 45 Washington Awardees
December 21, 2023
CARE Fund is proud to present its Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2023, showcasing the groundbreaking achievements made in the last year.
This report highlights grantees’ funded research and future CARE Fund program directions, all aimed at benefiting our state and our communities. With a record-setting 45 awards, including 12 first-time awardees, CARE Fund continues to increase investment in innovative cancer research in Washington state.
Since CARE Fund’s inception, the CARE Board has invested over $58 million in cancer research grants in Washington, including:
17 Distinguished Researchers grants to attract world-class research scientists.
16 Life Science Start-up and Development grants to support early-stage companies and innovation.
9 grants to address emergent issues regarding cancer and public health.
CARE Fund is part of the King County Employee Giving Campaign
October 2, 2023
The Andy Hill CARE Fund will be included for the first time in the King County Employee Giving Campaign beginning October 2, 2023.
King County employees have an opportunity to join with the CARE Fund to promote cancer research in Washington through workplace giving. For those who wish to make a memorial or tribute gift to honor or remember a loved one, friend, or colleague, we will work with you to inform those you would like notified of your gift in a way that is meaningful to you and to them.
CARE Fund will double your impact on cancer research, as your gifts will be matched 1:1 with funds from the State’s public investment for Andy Hill CARE Fund’s cancer research grants.
To make a gift through the King County Employee Giving Campaign, use CARE Fund’s Charitable ID number: 10151.
Those who are not in the campaign can make gifts directly to CARE Fund.
Thank you for considering the Andy Hill CARE Fund in your charitable giving.
CARE Fund Partners with Rivkin Center to Fund Ovarian Cancer Research
September 13, 2023
September is Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month! The CARE Fund Board of Directors is proud to announce an exciting new partnership, the Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Award.
The Rivkin Center and the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund will jointly invest $1M in ovarian cancer research in Washington state, creating a pioneering public-private partnership. Because state and private investments are matched dollar for dollar, applicants are not required to provide a separate match. The partnership will create a replicable model for other states.
The Rivkin Center/CARE Fund Award opportunity is now open. Eligibility is limited to Washington state investigators only. Applications must be submitted by December 1, 2023, at 5 p.m. EST.
Learn more about the application process, eligibility, and award details here.
Currently, there is no effective screening test to catch ovarian cancer in its earliest, most treatable and most survivable stages. With “silent symptoms” that can be easily missed, or mistaken, ovarian cancer often goes undetected until it has reached an advanced stage. That is why about 80 percent of women with ovarian cancer are diagnosed at advanced stages when chances of cure are poor. Ovarian cancer remains the deadliest gynecological cancer.
The Rivkin Center is a Washington nonprofit organization with an accomplished history of funding promising research in ovarian cancer.
CARE Fund looks forward to future partnerships to promote cancer research and to the resulting improvements in health and wellness for Washington’s communities.
Have an application inquiry? Please contact Dr. Jackie Lang at jackie.lang@rivkin.org.
RFP Opportunity for Scientific Peer Review
September 13, 2023
THIS OPPORTUNITY IS CLOSED.
On behalf of its sponsored project, the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund, Evergreen Social Impact is soliciting proposals from those qualified and interested to:
Facilitate and conduct the scientific and technical evaluation of grant proposals for cancer research and recommend grants to be made by CARE Fund; and
Advise the CARE Fund on scientific and other matters in furtherance of grantmaking to support and promote cancer research in Washington State.
The selected contractor will work in partnership with CARE Fund staff to provide scientific peer review services and consultations to CARE Fund to result in the objective, independent, scientific peer review of grant proposal applications to the CARE Fund. The results of the peer review will be used by CARE Fund to make grant award decisions. The anticipated duration of the contract is through June 30, 2025.
Proposals should be submitted via email, no later than 4:00 PM (PT), October 11, 2023 with “Scientific Peer Review Services RFP” in the subject line, to Peter Choi at peter@wacarefund.org. Questions regarding this RFP may also be addressed to this same email address. Full RFP for download.
CARE Fund Announces Over $2 Million in Breakthrough Seed Funding
August 7, 2023
The CARE Fund Board of Directors is proud to continue a record-breaking year of investments in cancer research, announcing over $2 million in a new funding category, Breakthrough Seed Funding.
The purpose of the Breakthrough Seed Funding grant is to encourage and support life science companies, entrepreneurs, innovators, and researchers who seek to explore and develop innovative ideas and strategies to substantially advance cancer research and care from etiology to survivorship. These projects have the potential for high impact breakthroughs in cancer research and care that will extend understanding or uncover new pathways beyond the span of the project.
The CARE Fund congratulates the inaugural grantees in this category, to support early-stage research projects that are pursuing promising areas of cancer research.
Institute for Systems Biology (Principal Investigator: Wei Wei, PhD)
Unraveling Tumor-Immune Microenvironment by a Novel Spatial Assay Registering Cellular Metabolic Functions with Underlying Omic Profiles at Single-Cell ResolutionPhase Genomics, Inc. (Principal Investigator: Stephen Eacker, PhD)
An AI-based Platform Cytogenomic Risk Assessment in Colorectal CarcinomaSeattle Children’s Research Institute (Principal Investigator: Shannon Oda, PhD)
Developing Adoptive Cell Therapy Engineering Strategies to Catalyze and Diversify Endogenous Antitumor Immune ResponsesUniversity of Washington (Principal Investigators: Christopher Blosser, MD; Shreeram Akilesh, MD, PhD)
Role of Complement C3 in Kidney CancerUniversity of Washington (Principal Investigator: Jennifer Nemhauser, PhD)
A Synthetic Genetic Platform to Deliver Higher Precision Care for Recurrent or Refractory Cancers with Wnt Pathway ActivationUniversity of Washington (Principal Investigator: Wesley Van Voorhis, MD, PhD): Selective Glycolysis Inhibitors (SGIs): Enabling Clinical Development of Novel Small Molecules for the Treatment of Advanced Prostate Cancer
CARE Fund Expands Investments with Over $30M in Grant Awards
June 8, 2023
In 2022 the Washington State legislature made a commitment to improving the lives of Washingtonians through an historic investment in cancer research through the CARE Fund. The CARE Board solicited community feedback through a Request For Information. Four Requests for Proposals (RFPs) were opened this cycle ranging from cancer research projects aiming to address cancer disparities, to strengthening the state’s cancer research infrastructure, and making early investments in life science start-up companies.
The four RFPs generated greater response than any in the CARE Fund’s history, totaling 43 proposals with over $42 million in requests. The state’s appropriation to the CARE Fund resulted in grants for cancer research across the state, east and west of the Cascades.
Today the CARE Board is proud to announce 32 grants totaling $30,683,000 million, to advance cancer research in Washington. Awardees are listed in the links below:
To support cancer research projects that aim to address cancer disparities for population groups, two awards in Population Health.
To support projects that enhance clinical trial site capacity or infrastructure to conduct cancer clinical trials or address patients’ barriers to participation, six awards in Inclusion and Diversity in Clinical Trials.
To bolster Washington State’s cancer research ecosystem by supporting efforts to plan, develop, or support shared resources that will advance cancer research in Washington State, eight awards in Shared Resources and Infrastructure.
To support early-stage companies and innovative researchers to translate promising research into the development of tools, devices, or therapeutics related to cancer, 16 awards in Life Science Start-up and Development.
The CARE Fund Board of Directors is grateful to the legislature and the Governor for making these funds available, to the community for your input and direction, and the CARE Fund staff for their work in implementing the opportunities.
In the coming weeks, we will also announce awards in our first cycle of Breakthrough Seed Funding, to support early-stage research projects that are pursuing promising areas of cancer research.
We look forward to the results of this investment in cancer research to improve the quality of life for the people of Washington.
We Need Your Input
May 11, 2023
We need your help to improve our outreach across the cancer research community by taking a brief survey. Please provide your response by May 26, 2023. Thank you.
CARE Fund Announces Grant Awards Totaling $1.74M
February 28, 2023
Distinguished Researchers grants bolster cancer research in Washington State by providing matching funds to recruit best-in-class talent from around the globe, and support newly recruited researchers to lead advances in cancer research. Top scientists move the research economy forward, creating laboratories and other jobs, raising awareness of cancer research, and bringing additional research funding into the state.
The Distinguished Researchers Program will match, dollar for dollar, commitments by Washington research companies, organizations, universities, and research institutions, up to $500,000 per researcher, to add value to recruitment/start-up packages that bring early-career and established cancer researchers to Washington.
The CARE Fund Board of Directors is pleased to announce three Distinguished Researchers grant awards to the following:
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Christina Termini, MM, PhDSeattle Children’s Research Institute
Jay Sarthy, MD, PhDSeattle Children’s Research Institute
Molly Taylor MD, MS, MS
Click here to learn more about the Distinguished Researchers awardees.
Originally sparked by the need to nimbly respond to the COVID-19 pandemic’s impact on cancer care, Emergent Issues in Public Health grants provide up to $250,000 per award to support research that aims to address an emergent issue regarding cancer and public health. Research may relate to the next phase of COVID-19 and cancer research, or other cancer research related to an emergent public health issue.
The CARE Fund Board of Directors is pleased to announce an Emergent Issues in Public Health grant to:
University of Washington
Principal Investigator: Linda Ko, MPH, PhD
Building Capacity of Bilingual and Bicultural Community Health Workers to Implement Evidence-based Cancer Prevention and Control Interventions to Promote Health Equity
The CARE Fund applauds these awardees for their important work to advance cancer research to improve the quality of life for the people of Washington.
Click here to learn more about the project that will be supported by the Emergent Issues in Public Health grant.
RFP Opportunity for Awareness Study
February 9. 2023
On behalf of its sponsored project, the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund, Evergreen Social Impact is soliciting proposals for a consultant to work in partnership with staff to conduct an awareness study for its sponsored project, the Andy Hill Cancer Research Endowment (CARE) Fund, to result in analysis and recommendations to raise awareness of the CARE Fund in order to expand the applicant pool and to increase projects that address disparities.
Proposals should be submitted via email, no later than February 28, with “Awareness Assessment” in the subject line, to Joseph Sparacio at joseph@wacarefund.org. Questions regarding this RFP may also be addressed to this same email address.
Full RFP here.