2025 Badger Challenge applications are due Sept. 15

The overarching mission of the Badger Challenge is to advance state of the art cancer research and treatment to serve cancer patients and families in Wisconsin and beyond. Badger Challenge seeks to fund scholars and program applications that will:

• Promote cancer research in basic, translational, clinical, social/behavioral and population sciences.
• Result in preliminary data to support extramural grant applications (R01 or equivalent).

There are two grant categories:

• Program: Provides financial support ($50,000) among two or more UW faculty from interdisciplinary fields who have a focus on a clearly identified research project.
• Scholar: Provides financial support ($25,000) to individual UW faculty members whose current work focuses on cancer research and/or advancements in cancer treatments.

PROJECT PERIOD: Feb. 1, 2026 – Dec. 31, 2027

The full RFA is attached, and applications can be submitted here. 

Non-scientific inquiries should be directed to Alyse Peters: alyse.peters@wisc.edu

Scientific inquiries should be directed to Deric Wheeler: dlwheeler@wisc.edu