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Grant Applications Now Open Apply by November 20, 2026

ELITE

Emerging Leadership & Innovation in Cell Therapy Excellence

Guided by an Independent Steering Committee of renowned experts, the ELITE Program recognizes and supports early-career healthcare professionals with experience in CAR-T therapy for multiple myeloma who are committed to advancing research, education, and patient care. Through the Emerging Educator and Emerging Innovator grant categories, the program empowers healthcare professionals with 5-10 years of experience to develop impactful initiatives that enhance scientific understanding, improve treatment experiences, and contribute to better outcomes for patients living with multiple myeloma. Together, we are working toward a future where cancers and other intractable diseases are curable.

Grants Available

    • Emerging Educator
    • Emerging Innovator

Governance

Independent Steering Committee

Purpose

The ELITE grant program recognizes and supports promising initiatives that advance knowledge, inspire innovation, and strengthen care for patients living with multiple myeloma.

About ELITE

ELITE represents the core values that drive the program and empower the next generation of research and innovation.

E

Emerging

Supporting emerging ideas, researchers, and innovative approaches.
L

Leadership

Fostering leadership that advances scientific excellence and impact.
I

Innovation

Encouraging innovative thinking and breakthrough solutions.
T

Therapy

Advancing therapeutic research that improves patient outcomes.
E

Excellence

Upholding the highest standards of quality, rigor, and achievement.

Program Overview

Legend Biotech is dedicated to fostering the next generation of scientific leaders in cellular therapy by accelerating innovation and research to create a future where cancers and intractable diseases are curable.

Guided by an Independent Steering Committee composed of renowned experts, the ELITE program will recognize and support early-career healthcare providers (HCPs), nurturing tomorrow’s leaders to advance the future of the field.

This is the inaugural year of the program, which will occur annually. This year, the program will focus specifically on Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) in multiple myeloma and will award grants in two categories: Emerging Educator and Emerging Innovator.

Areas of Interest

Applicant's grant proposals may focus on, but need not be limited to, the following areas:

Earlier Identification

Earlier identification of patients eligible for CAR-T therapy.

Patient & Caregiver Education

Educational initiatives that advance awareness and understanding.

Referral Pathways

Community and academic referral pathway development.

Care Delivery Innovation

New care delivery models and operational innovations.

Long-Term Survivorship

Programs supporting patients beyond treatment.

Applicants will be evaluated based on merit. Affiliations with community oncology networks, emerging Cell Therapy Centers, historically underrepresented institutions, and minority-serving institutions are encouraged.

Independent Steering Committee

The ELITE program is guided by an independent external scientific review committee composed of nationally recognized experts in cellular therapy and hematologic malignancies. The committee provides scientific leadership and objective oversight for the review of all submitted grant applications.

Independence & Integrity Statement

The Independent Steering Committee operates independently of Legend Biotech and evaluates eligible applications against fair, objective, and pre-defined scientific criteria. All submissions undergo independent review to ensure transparency, rigor, and program integrity.

Committee Members

Melissa Alsina, MD

Moffitt Cancer Center
Tampa, FL

Ajai Chari, MD

University of California, SF
San Francisco, CA

Rafael Fonseca, MD

Mayo Clinic
Phoenix, AZ

Sundar Jagannath, MBBS

Mount Sinai Tisch Cancer Center
New York, NY

Amrita Krishnan, MD

City of Hope Cancer Center
Irvine, CA

Yi Lin, MD, PhD

Mayo Clinic
Rochester, MN

Saad Usmani, MD, MBA, FACP, FASCO

Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, NY

The Independent Steering Committee operates independently of Legend Biotech and will evaluate eligible applications against fair and objective criteria that have been established prior to review.

Grant Categories

Two grant opportunities are available to recognize emerging leaders advancing the future of CAR-T therapy in multiple myeloma.

Emerging Educator

Excellence in CAR-T Award

A project with the potential to advance clinical practice, research, healthcare delivery, or education within multiple myeloma.

Emerging Innovator

Innovation in CAR-T Award

A project that has an innovation "seed" specific to multiple myeloma and will serve as a pilot, expansion, or novel approach.

Grant Funding

Up to $100,000

Inclusive of any indirect costs, to be paid in one installment to the recipient's institution upon execution of a contract between Legend Biotech and the recipient's institution.

Eligibility & Rules

Applicants must satisfy the following requirements to be considered for an ELITE grant award.

Applicant Eligibility Criteria

Therapeutic Area

CAR-T in Multiple Myeloma

Degree Requirement

MD or DO

Years of Experience

5–10 years from degree completion

Institutional Requirement

Must be employed by a U.S. institution and have institutional approval to receive grant funding.

Availability & Participation

Applicants must be available and willing to present their proposal as part of a scientific symposium. Depending on project scope and progress, recipients may also be asked to provide periodic project status updates.

Conflict of Interest & Review Policy

All applications are reviewed through an independent, objective evaluation process. Independent Steering Committee members and reviewers are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest and recuse themselves when appropriate. Funding decisions are based on scientific merit and alignment with program objectives.

Encouraged Applicants

Applicants will be evaluated based on merit. Affiliations with community oncology networks, emerging Cell Therapy Centers, historically underrepresented institutions, and minority-serving institutions are strongly encouraged.

Ready to Apply?

Application Process

Follow the four-step process below to complete your ELITE Grant application.

Application Deadline
November 20, 2026
1

Confirm Eligibility

Review applicant requirements and program criteria.

2

Select Category

Choose Emerging Educator or Emerging Innovator.

3

Prepare Materials

Complete the proposal and supporting documentation.

4

Submit

Submit your application before the deadline.

Submission of an application does not guarantee funding. Applications will undergo an independent review process and awards will be determined based on eligibility, scientific merit, and alignment with program objectives.

Key Dates

Program Timeline

Follow the ELITE program journey from announcement through award notification.

Announcement

Program Launch

Portal Open

Current Phase

3

Deadline

November 20, 2026

4

Committee Review

Evaluation Period

5

Notification

December 2026

Announcement

ELITE program officially introduced and application details published.

Current Phase

Application portal is open and accepting submissions.

Submission Deadline

All applications must be submitted by November 20, 2026.

Award Notification

Selected recipients will be notified in December 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

Find answers about eligibility, applications, grant categories, supporting documents, timelines, and portal access.

Support & Resources

Still Have Questions?

Connect with the ELITE Program team, locate your regional Medical Science Liaison, and access important application resources.

Applicant Resources

Application Essentials

Everything required for a complete application, organized in one printable reference section.

What To Include

✓ CV / Biosketch (PDF)
✓ Proposal (500-800 words)
✓ Resources Being Used (150 words)
✓ Expected Challenges (150 words)
✓ Letters of Support (PDF)
✓ Institutional Approval Verification
✓ Proposal Presentation Verification
✓ Complete Submission Review
Proposal Requirements

Length: 500-800 words (approximately 3,000-5,000 characters)

SAI Framework

  • Situation: Context and unmet need.
  • Action: Methods, leadership, and approach.
  • Impact: Expected outcomes and influence.

Best Practices

  • Cite specific papers where appropriate.
  • Reference relevant data points.
  • Include measurable patient or healthcare outcomes.
CV / Biosketch Requirements
  • PDF format only
  • Maximum 5 pages
  • English only
  • Name
  • Education & Training
  • Current Position
  • Personal Statement
  • Positions
  • Scientific Appointments & Honors
  • Contributions to Science
  • Please do not include sensitive personal information including date of birth
Naming Convention: LastName_FirstName.pdf
Letters of Support
  • 1 required, maximum 2 accepted
  • Institutional letterhead required
  • Dated within previous 12 months
  • Maximum 2 pages
  • Author’s name, title, institution and email required
  • Must come from someone with direct knowledge of applicant’s work
Strong letters explain the relationship, provide specific examples of impact, justify the selected award category, and describe future leadership potential.
File Format & Upload Specifications
  • PDF preferred for all documents
  • Maximum 10 MB per file
  • No password-protected PDFs
  • No unreadable scanned documents
  • English only
  • File naming format: LastName_DocumentType.pdf
Tip: Flatten all form fields before uploading.
Joint Application Policy
One applicant may be named per submission. Collaborative and multi-site projects may be described, but only one individual can serve as the applicant.

Common Disqualifying Mistakes

Incomplete submission (missing required document)
Proposal below the minimum word count
CV/Biosketch exceeds the five-page limit
Letter of Support not submitted on institutional letterhead
Applicant does not meet degree or institutional requirements
Application submitted after the deadline
Undisclosed conflict of interest identified during review
Duplicate application submitted for the same category

Downloads

Download application resources before beginning your submission.

Ready to Start Your Application?

Ensure all required materials are prepared before accessing the application portal.