New York, Jan. 12, 2026 — The Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) and Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health – International (OUCH-I) are accepting proposals for a joint research grant program studying the effects of air pollution and climate change on lung cancer. Supported by AstraZeneca, the winning project will receive $200,000 over two years.
The OUCH-International and LCRF Research Grant Program will fund studies that examine how environmental pollution and climate change influence lung cancer risk, diagnosis, treatment and outcomes, and that develop strategies to mitigate these effects.
Evidence linking air pollution to lung cancer has grown in recent years. Research indicates the number of lung cancer deaths attributable to air pollution has risen by nearly 30% since 2007 as smoking declines and pollution increases (Turner MC et al., CA Cancer J Clin, 2020). The International Agency for Research on Cancer has classified outdoor air pollution and fine particulate matter (PM2.5) as causes of lung cancer (Straif K et al., IARC Press, 2013; Loomis D et al., Lancet Oncol, 2013). Studies show exposure from industrial sources or wildfires raises lung cancer risk among smokers and non-smokers alike (Hill et al., Nature, 2023). Global analyses rank ambient air pollution as the second-leading cause of lung cancer mortality and household air pollution as the seventh (GBD 2019 Risk Factors Collaborators, Lancet, 2020).
“Recognizing that exposure to air pollution is the second-largest risk factor for lung cancer should be central to discussions within the lung cancer community,” said Joan Schiller, MD, founder of OUCH-International and longtime member of LCRF’s board. “By funding research to better understand the effects of air pollution on the development of lung cancer, we hope to enable more effective risk recognition, screening, and education among patients and healthcare professionals.”
“Despite declining rates of tobacco use, the incidence of lung cancer in people with no known risk factors, especially in young women, is on the rise,” said Antoinette Wozniak, MD, FASCO, LCRF chief scientific officer. “The more we understand about all major risk factors driving lung cancer, the better equipped we will be to diagnose earlier or even prevent lung cancer from developing.”
Proposals will be accepted until midnight on June 2, 2026. Applications will undergo rigorous review by LCRF’s Scientific Advisory Board and OUCH-International. Details on eligibility, requirements and submission procedures are available at https://lcrf.org/FundingOpportunities.
The Lung Cancer Research Foundation is a nonprofit dedicated to funding innovative research to improve prevention, diagnosis, treatment and quality of life for people with lung cancer. To date, LCRF has funded 450 research grants totaling nearly $53 million. More information is available at https://lcrf.org/research.
Oncology Advocates United for Climate and Health – International (OUCH-I) is a nonprofit, nonpartisan volunteer organization focused on mitigating the effects of climate change on cancer care through advocacy, education, research and policy. OUCH-I’s members include oncology clinicians, researchers and patient advocates across multiple countries. More information is available at ouchforclimate.org.
Media contacts:
Sheila Sullivan, Sr. Director, Marketing & Communications, Lung Cancer Research Foundation, [email protected]
Joan H. Schiller, MD, OUCH-International, 608-469-6992, [email protected]
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