AYA Program Development (APD) Grant
What This Grant Supports
AYA Oncology programs are developed or expanded with Teen Cancer America in collaboration between pediatric and medical oncology or within medical oncology alone. AYA Programs coordinate and strengthen existing services and resources, help build or connect to new ones where gaps exist, and elevate care delivery to align with the life-stage of younger people when diagnosed with cancer. The goal is to holistically address the unique needs of adolescents and young adults diagnosed with cancer and to support the providers caring for them.
From nationally recognized Academic hospitals to community hospitals our grantees are addressing the gap in adolescent and younger adult age-specific care such as fertility preservation, financial support, clinical trial access, and psychosocial care.
Institutions are increasingly developing early-onset cancer initiatives for people under 50, either across cancer types or within a specific disease area. Because these populations overlap in age and share many life-stage needs, connecting these initiatives with AYA programs and/or focused care can help reduce duplicated effort. TCA brings more than 14 years of AYA program development experience, resources, and a national network of professionals to help institutions build care for younger adults that reflects any institution’s patient population, priorities, and available resources.
Overview
TCA is a national grant-giving organization supporting any hospital providing AYA cancer services that has completed our Program Development Strategy. Our goal is to improve access to AYA-focused care, improve the treatment experience for both patients and providers, and improve outcomes for adolescents and young adults (ages 15–39) with cancer.
We choose our grantees carefully based on detailed grant proposals that are peer-reviewed by experts in the field. Before a grant is awarded, a rigorous rubric is used to set clear goals and targets.
How to Apply for First-Time Funding
In order to apply for first-time funding, you must complete our Program Development Strategy. We view ourselves as partners, not just funders: through consultation, access to our national network, and shared resources and expertise, our 13-part strategy process helps you understand your current landscape, define a vision for your ideal program, and build a roadmap to achieve it.
Completing the strategy work usually takes 6-12 months to create one cohesive program. All strategy work, grant applications, and progress reports are submitted through our online hospital portal.
We most frequently fund AYA-specific positions such as Program Managers or Coordinators, Nurse/Patient Navigators, and Social Workers. Grant cycles typically open every 12-18 months, depending on our financial position based on our fundraising. If you’d like to learn more about how we work with cancer treatment sites, our strategy work, and get access to our network of AYA Program and people, email alec@teencanceramerica.org to schedule an intro call.
Eligibility Requirements
In order to submit a grant, you must:
- be a cancer care institution in the United States providing cancer treatment
- have completed TCA’s 13-Part Program Development Strategy on the portal.
Because AYAs may receive care in pediatric or medical oncology depending on their age and diagnosis, institutions with both are strongly encouraged to develop a coordinated approach. The goal is for every patient ages 15–39 to receive age-appropriate support and treatment in the setting best suited to them and their cancer. TCA does not fund pediatric-only programs; however, institutions may apply as adult/medical oncology without a pediatric partner.
We will prioritize applicants in the following states: AZ, CA, CO, FL, GA, MA, NC, NJ, NY, OR, SC, TN, TX, VA, WA, and WI.
Grant applications will be due on January 14th, 2027.
If you’d like to get started with the program development strategy work or have any questions about meeting them or the grant process, please email alec@teencanceramerica.org.