The Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC) will host its annual Cancer Research Symposium on Thursday, May 21st, at Xavier University of Louisiana. Doors open at 7:00 A.M. The event brings together scientists, clinicians, trainees, and community partners from across the region to share emerging discoveries, strengthen collaboration, and advance the fight against cancer.

This year’s symposium will spotlight the power of collaboration across the LCRC’s partner institutions, organized around four cross‑cutting research themes: Obesity and Metabolism; Environmental Exposure, including viruses and lifestyle factors such as tobacco and alcohol; Developmental Therapeutics and Drug Discovery; and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that aim to replace traditional animal models. These themes reflect the center’s commitment to accelerating discovery and translating scientific advances into meaningful progress against cancer.

Cross‑Cutting Research Themes Selection: 

As part of the registration process, please select two cross‑cutting research themes you would like to participate in. These selections will help organizers assign participants to the appropriate round‑table discussion. 

• Obesity and Metabolism
• Environmental Exposure, including viruses and lifestyle factors such as tobacco and alcohol
• Developmental Therapeutics and Drug Discovery
• New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) that aim to replace traditional animal models

Call for Abstracts: 

The Louisiana Cancer Research Center (LCRC) invites researchers, clinicians, trainees, and students to submit abstracts for presentation at the 2026 LCRC Cancer Research Symposium, scheduled for Thursday, May 21st, at Xavier University of Louisiana. The symposium offers a platform to showcase innovative cancer research across the consortium and to foster collaboration among investigators at all career stages.

Submission Guidelines:

• Submissions must include title, authors, affiliations, presenting author, and grant support where applicable.
• Research may represent completed studies, works in progress, or emerging findings.
• Abstracts should be no more than a page and font should be Arial 11pt.
• Abbreviations may be used in the body of an abstract if they are defined at their first mention in the text.
• All abstracts will undergo review by the symposium’s scientific committee. 
• Please note that figures and tables are not permitted.

Who Should Submit:

Faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students, undergraduate researchers, clinicians, and community‑engaged research teams are encouraged to participate.

Important Dates: 

Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday, April 10, 2026

Upon completion of your award, please submit a final report within 45 days.

Please use this form to submit your progress for your Seed Award. The progress report should be no more than 3 pages.

Use this form to request a second year of funding of up to $50,000. Please submit a progress report, a supplemental research plan, and a budget along with its justification.

Eligible Applicants

• Active Cancer Center Members 
• Must be an LCRC Seed or Strategic Investment Award recipient
• Must be a continuation of the originally funded project and may not be supported by existing extramural funding or internal seed grant, or supplement funding

Budget Information

Direct costs may not exceed $50,000 (indirect costs are not allowed). 

Funds may be used for salaries of research personnel, supplies, and other research-related expenses. Faculty effort/salary support is permitted, up to $10,000, if justified or required by the PI’s institution (academic “buyout”). Tuition reimbursement is not allowable.

Application Instructions

Research Proposal

Supplemental Research Plan (4 pages maximum)

• Updated AIMS
• How will the additional year build on the research conducted during the first phase of the award
• Relevance to our catchment area (Louisiana/Gulf South)
• Description of translational or inter-programmatic component(s)
• Research Strategy
• Brief Description of Future Plans, Including Potential for acquiring Extramural Funding

· Budget (1 page)

· Budget Justification (1 page)