Binaytara's Summit on Cancer Health Disparities Accepting Research Proposals Through February 15

Binaytara’s Summit on Cancer Health Disparities 2026 (SCHD26) is launching its inaugural Impact Pitch Competition, offering up to $25,000 in research funding through the Implementation Science Research Award. First authors of accepted abstracts are invited to submit full proposals by February 15, 2026, for the opportunity to present their cancer health equity research in a Shark Tank–style competition at SCHD26 in Bellevue, Washington.

Binaytara will launch its inaugural impact pitch competition at the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities 2026 (SCHD26) to fund innovative research in cancer health equity and implementation science. Invited researchers must submit proposals by February 15, 2026, to compete.

Our flagship conference on cancer health disparities received a record number of abstract submissions this year. From impactful research projects spanning six continents and 32 countries, the conference abstract review committee selected 103 abstracts for presentation at SCHD26.

Authors of these accepted abstracts are now invited to submit full research proposals for consideration for the Binaytara Implementation Science Research Award. First authors of accepted abstracts will be eligible to compete for a $25,000 research funding in the Impact Pitch Competition at SCHD26.

Why the Impact Pitch Competition Is More Important Than Ever for Cancer Health Equity

The Impact Pitch Competition brings a Shark Tank-style format to scholarly research presentations, combining showmanship with science to make complex research accessible to broader audiences. Selected finalists will present their projects to both a live audience and an expert judging panel at the conference. Audience and judges' votes will determine award recipients, with winning projects receiving up to $25,000 in research funding.

Binaytara created the Implementation Science Research Award to support investigators working to improve evidence-based cancer care delivery in real-world settings, with priority given to projects addressing access, equity, and delivery gaps across diverse populations. This award is particularly vital as healthcare funding dwindles and investment in evidence-based health equity research is increasingly deprioritized.

More Than Funding: Professional Development Opportunities for Early Career Investigators

Beyond the chance to secure funding for cancer health equity and implementation science research projects, the Impact Pitch Competition is packed with professional development opportunities for early-career investigators in oncology.

The competition is designed to hone research communication skills, allowing presenters to translate their work in a way that is accessible to a broader audience. This accessibility breeds dialogue and facilitates helpful feedback from top cancer doctors representing various NCI-designated cancer centers across the nation. Their feedback will be critical to guiding the next steps of the presented research and improving its rigor.

Presenters will also have the opportunity to network with physicians and researchers who are further along in their careers, with the impact pitch presentation serving as a conversation starter.

Dr. David Aboulafia, an attending hematologist at the Virginia Mason Medical Center and co-chair of the SCHD26 conference, further emphasized the importance of the Impact Pitch for early career researchers, saying, “The opportunity for young investigators to meet senior experts who have been in the field for decades is simply invaluable. To have a research proposal reviewed and critiqued by them, and then potentially receive $25,000 in seed money, is just incredible.”

SCHD26: A Platform for Cancer Health Equity

SCHD26 is a continuing medical education conference that gives cancer health equity the attention and action it deserves. Taking place March 27–28, 2026, at the Hyatt Regency in Bellevue, Washington, the conference brings together oncologists and other healthcare professionals who are committed to addressing the existing cancer disparities affecting underserved populations. SCHD is a CME/CE/ACPE-accredited event where equity-focused innovation meets meaningful action in oncology care.

As Dr. Don Dizon, the abstract committee co-chair, highlighted, “This is a seminal meeting that tackles disparities in cancer care head-on. Clinicians should become more aware of the issues faced, regardless of where they live, but also walk away with a clearer understanding of what we are looking at to address them, and what is possible, regardless of access to resources.”

Research Proposal Review and Evaluation

The Binaytara Abstract Committee is looking forward to reviewing the research proposals submitted for the Impact Pitch competition. Invitations have been sent to all selected abstracts, and the review process will begin after the February 15 deadline. For more information on Binaytara Research Awards, please visit https://binaytara.org/research-grants