Organization’s Latest Research Grants Empower Scientists to Drive Discovery, Accelerate Early Detection and Close Gaps in Care, With Additional Funding Opportunities Forthcoming

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (November 24, 2025) – With federal research budgets facing growing uncertainty, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) announced today new research grants supporting scientists across multiple institutions to advance progress in pancreatic cancer, one of the deadliest and most underfunded cancers in the United States. These grants are part of PanCAN’s initial research investment this fiscal year, with an additional round of funding to be announced later this year.

Pancreatic cancer is the only major cancer with a five-year survival rate of less than 20%, yet it receives only about 2% of total federal cancer research funding. PanCAN’s targeted awards are designed to fill critical gaps supporting investigators whose projects aim to address some of the greatest challenges, including early detection, therapeutic resistance, and disparities in access to care. These grants reflect PanCAN’s ongoing commitment to advancing scientific progress and fostering collaboration across the pancreatic cancer research field.

“Scientific discovery doesn’t happen in isolation; it happens when bright minds have the support to take bold risks,” said Anna Berkenblit, MD, MMSc, PanCAN’s Chief Scientific and Medical Officer. “The investigators we’re funding are addressing some of the most complex questions in pancreatic cancer biology and care, helping pave the way for earlier detection and more effective therapies.”

The awards span a range of high-impact areas, from basic discovery to clinical translation and equity-focused research, each addressing a critical need in the field.

PanCAN Fellowships: Advancing Next-Generation Scientists

Supported by the François Wallace Monahan Fund in memory of Michael Insel, the two-year, $175,000 PanCAN Fellowships nurture promising junior investigators of French heritage who are training under former PanCAN grantees:

PanCAN Catalyst Award: Accelerating Clinical Impact

The Catalyst Awards support projects that align with PanCAN’s clinical initiatives and priorities to bring forth progress in the treatment or detection of pancreatic cancer. This year’s $262,000, 15-month Catalyst Award supports a project aligned with PanCAN’s Early Detection Initiative.

  • Bechien Wu, MD, MPH, Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center – “Prediction algorithms for early detection of pancreatic cancer in an integrated health system: a clinical pilot program.” This project uses real-world data to identify individuals at risk earlier, when intervention can make the greatest difference.

Funded Extension Grant: Ensuring Equity in Precision Medicine

  • Sapna Syngal, MD, MPH, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute – “Racial/ethnic Equity in GENetic Education, Risk Assessment and Testing (REGENERATE) Study.” With a $200,000 one-year extension, this project continues to address disparities in access to genetic education and testing, helping ensure every patient can benefit from precision oncology advances.

PanCAN also celebrates the next generation of scientific leaders through its Travel Scholar Awards, which provided early-career researchers with the opportunity to attend the PanCAN Scientific Summit, share their work, and join the organization’s Community for Progress, which is a growing network dedicated to mentorship, collaboration, and innovation in pancreatic cancer research.

Since launching the Research Grants Program in 2003, PanCAN has awarded 240 grants to 220 scientists at 78 institutions, with a total research investment of approximately $249 million, including a competitive Research Grants Program and leading-edge scientific and clinical initiatives. The impact of PanCAN’s Research Grants Program shines through the scientific progress that has been made in the field as well as the recipients’ career successes. For every $1 PanCAN invested through its Research Grants Program from 2003-2024, grant recipients went on to receive an additional $11 in subsequent pancreatic cancer research funding. This tremendous return on investment allows the researchers to continue building on their findings and training young scientists to bring forth future discoveries.

Much of PanCAN’s research impact has focused on KRAS, mutated in over 90% of pancreatic tumors and long considered “undruggable.” PanCAN-funded scientists have helped unravel how KRAS drives tumor growth and identified new therapeutic vulnerabilities helping lay the groundwork for today’s breakthrough RAS-targeted therapies.

“Innovation and compassion go hand in hand in pancreatic cancer research,” said Dr. Berkenblit. “Each of our new grantees represents a critical step forward in improving outcomes. Through the generosity of our donors and the dedication of our scientists, we’re changing what’s possible for patients.”

To learn more about PanCAN’s research investments, visit pancan.org. Follow PanCAN on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) is the leading organization dedicated to advancing progress against pancreatic cancer. We unite the pancreatic cancer community and push every boundary to create a world where survival is the norm — not the exception. PanCAN empowers patients and caregivers with the resources and knowledge they need to advocate for the care they deserve. We are pioneering the advancement of an early detection strategy for pancreatic cancer and revolutionizing the development of advanced and personalized treatments; and we are building and mobilizing the pancreatic cancer field to ensure better outcomes for all those who face pancreatic cancer today and all those who will fight this disease tomorrow.

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Media Contact:
Charaighn Sesock
Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
559-972-4877
csesock@pancan.org