$4.2 Million Investment in Next-Generation DIPG/DMG Research

ChadTough Defeat DIPG Foundation, together with its dedicated Family and Research Partners, is proud to announce a $4.2 million investment in nine new DIPG/DMG research projects over the next three years. As momentum in the field continues to grow, the foundation experienced a remarkable 44% increase in grant applications compared to the previous year — evidence of both the urgent need for better therapies and the expanding community of scientists committed to solving one of the deadliest forms of childhood cancer.

With this latest investment, ChadTough Defeat DIPG has now committed more than $48 million to support 111 researchers across 50 institutions worldwide, further strengthening its position as the world’s leading private funder of DIPG and DMG research. Every dollar invested is focused on accelerating discoveries that can improve outcomes for children and ultimately lead to a cure.

The 2026 funding portfolio reflects where the field is headed next: precision targeting of H3 K27M tumor biology, innovative combination therapies, immune-based approaches, strategies to overcome treatment resistance, and translational science designed to move promising discoveries into clinical trials. Selected from one of the most competitive application cycles in the foundation’s history, this year’s awards include five New Investigator Grants ($400,000 over three years each) and four Game Changer Grants ($600,000 over three years each), supporting bold ideas with the potential to transform the future of DIPG/DMG treatment.

2026 Game Changer Grant Recipients

Game Changer Grants support innovative, hypothesis-driven projects that address major challenges in DIPG/DMG research and have the potential to generate breakthrough discoveries.

• Marta Alonso, Cima Universidad de Navarra
  (co-funded by RUN DIPG, Storm the Heavens Fund, and the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer)

• Suzanne J. Baker, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
  (co-funded by Elle’s Angels Foundation, the Shaker Family Charitable Foundation, the Taylor Anne Foundation, the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer and the Vivienne C. Finn Foundation)

• Anne Rios, Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
  (co-funded by the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer)

• Sriram Venneti, University of Michigan
  (co-funded by the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer)

2026 New Investigator Grant Recipients

New Investigator Grants support newly independent researchers establishing DIPG/DMG-focused laboratories, as well as established investigators bringing their expertise into the field for the first time.

• Jerome Fortin, McGill University

• Yoon Seok Kim, École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne

• Guillem Pascual-Pastor, Fundació Sant Joan de Déu
  (co-funded by the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer)

• Joelle Payne Straehla, Seattle Children’s Hospital
  (co-funded by the Mattie Jackson Fund and the Violet Foundation for Pediatric Brain Cancer)

• Qiang Zhang, University of Michigan

These nine projects represent the next generation of DIPG/DMG research—bringing together emerging investigators and established leaders from leading institutions around the world. By investing across a diverse portfolio of scientific approaches, ChadTough Defeat DIPG is accelerating collaboration, expanding the research pipeline, and helping move the most promising discoveries closer to children who urgently need better treatment options.

All applications undergo rigorous review by the foundation’s Scientific Advisory Council, a panel of internationally recognized leaders in pediatric brain tumor research. This process ensures that ChadTough Defeat DIPG invests in the most promising, innovative, and high-impact science in the field.

The foundation’s ability to make these investments is powered by a unique collaborative model. Founded by the families of Chad Carr and Michael Mosier, ChadTough Defeat DIPG works alongside 44 Family Partners and 28 Research Partners, all united by a shared commitment to changing the future for children diagnosed with DIPG/DMG. Together, they have built a powerful movement that is accelerating research, advancing hope, and driving progress toward a cure.

Click here to learn more about our complete research portfolio, including these latest innovative projects advancing the fight against DIPG and DMG.