The Pershing Square Foundation (PSF) has worked across sectors to catalyze innovative approaches to the most difficult problems. Talented individuals have always been at the center of our approach. We aim to support leaders who transform systems, embrace new paradigms, and have an innate drive to make an impact.

PSF has funded pioneering cancer researchers through the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance for over a decade and supported women’s health initiatives in New York City. Through this Request for Proposals (RFP), PSF aims to combine these two priority areas of women’s health and cancer to shine a lens on one of the most understudied and underfunded cancers—ovarian cancer. Ovarian cancer is the deadliest gynecologic cancer, with 80% of women diagnosed at an advanced stage. Only 27% of women diagnosed during an advanced stage survive for five years. Ovarian cancer remains a disease with a poor prognosis due to limited early-detection and treatment options.

PSF supports research efforts by (1) deploying capital quickly, (2) funding high-risk, high-reward ideas, (3) bringing new perspectives into a field, (4) encouraging collaboration, and (5) leveraging our vast network. We challenge our scientific partners to think creatively and across silos, to spur innovation to fight ovarian cancer.

Through the Pershing Square Lotus Award (formerly the Ovarian Cancer Challenge Grant) for Ovarian Cancer Research, PSF is looking for investigators in the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance community who are either already working on a promising project in ovarian cancer or in another type of cancer that could have an impact on ovarian cancer. Grantees each receive $250,000 a year for three years, totaling $750,000.

Researchers who are not studying ovarian cancer are encouraged to apply and required to find a collaborator with experience in ovarian cancer research. The aim of this award is to (1) inspire investigators with unique expertise to apply their knowledge to ovarian cancer and (2) empower ovarian cancer researchers to pursue their boldest ideas. Facing a disease where too few have survived to-date, PSF ultimately aims to create a culture around ovarian cancer that offers women hope, akin to the breast cancer community. PSF is passionate about changing outcomes for tens of thousands of women a year and is hopeful that future scientific discoveries will allow for more survivors who can share their stories for years to come.

The application portal for the 2026 Lotus Award has closed. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent was Monday, February 2nd, 2026 by 5:00pm ET. 

Applications will be notified regarding the status of their application by mid-May.

All applications must be submitted through our application submission website: