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Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute: Research

Seeds of Science Award

2026 Requests for Applications

The Seeds of Science Award, offered by the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute at UAMS, provides up to $50,000 in one-year funding (March 1, 2026–February 28, 2027) to support innovative cancer research by institute members.

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Program Overview

Since 2009, the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute has supported exceptional cancer researchers through the Seeds of Science grant program. This initiative is funded by:

  1. The Envoys, a group of community and business leaders advocating for the Cancer Institute
  2. The Hot Springs Village Walk for Cancer Research

The grants aid Cancer Institute Investigators across all research programs—Cancer Biology, Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences, and Cancer Therapeutics—in exploring innovative cancer research directions. This funding aims to enhance data collection for NCI grant submissions and cancer-related publications. It does not support already funded projects. Proposals must align with the Cancer Institute’s mission and goals.

2025 Seeds of Science Award Winners

Alicia K. Byrd, Ph.D.
Alicia Byrd, Ph.D.
Seeds of Science (Envoys)

Identification of Inhibitors of HELB helicase

Yuet-Kin “Ricky” Leung, Ph.D.
Yuet-Kin “Ricky” Leung, Ph.D.
Seeds of Science

Neutrophils in castration-resistant prostate cancer microenvironment

Sayem Miah, Ph.D.
Sayem Miah, Ph.D.
Seeds of Science

Targeting the BRK-ALK axis to halt breast cancer metastasis

Donghoon Yoon, Ph.D.
Donghoon Yoon, Ph.D.
Seeds of Science (Envoys)

Pro-metastatic Roles of Extracellular Glucose in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Cell Mechanic and Function