The Dance Marathon Allocations applications for Spring 2026 will be available January 1st at midnight through 5:00 p.m. on February 16th!  We are looking for projects that support our mission, which is to provide emotional and financial support and services for pediatric oncology and bone marrow transplant patients and their families treated at University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children's Hospital. Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.

New Applications

The UI Dance Marathon Allocations NEW Application can be found at: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_8r0ij6m3Jn8g1Qq. If you have not been funded by Dance Marathon in the past year, please submit this new application by 5:00 p.m. on February 16th.

Important:

  • ALL NEW APPLICATIONS: If your application is approved for review at the Allocations Committee meeting, you will be contacted to schedule a presentation between 8:15 AM and 10:00 AM on that day.

Renewal Applications

The UI Dance Marathon Allocations RENEWAL Application can be found at found at: https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_aVtN4ynQnw8O2Zo.  If you currently have a project funded through this committee, please submit this renewal application by 5:00 p.m. on February 16th.

Important:

  • All renewal applicants must reapply, even if the request is only to forward the funds they currently have to the next year.

Research Grants - Spring Allocations Meeting Only

UI Dance Marathon aims to annually fund 1-2 research projects up to $50,000 each, to advance/improve stem cell transplantation and/or immunotherapies for pediatric cancer patients.  Both basic science and clinical intervention development projects are eligible.  Individuals who were awarded funding for a research project in the previous year, are not eligible for a renewal. To apply, submit your application during the annual discretionary funding process for University of Iowa Health Care Stead Family Children’s Hospital. For further instructions about applications, contact: peds-research@uiowa.edu. 

Important:

  • ALL NEW RESEARCH APPLICATIONS: If your application is approved for review at the Allocations Committee meeting, you will be contacted to schedule a presentation between 8:15 AM and 10:00 AM on that day.

Final Reports

If your project has been completed, please notify Jessie Cunningham in writing and submit your Final Report within 30 days of the project completion. This short report outlines the impact of your project and ways in which you recognized the University of Iowa Dance Marathon. The Dance Marathon Allocations Final Report can be found https://uiowa.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_es01kYc67n8gtJX. 

Important:

  • If your project is vetted for review, all applicants will receive a letter before July 31st regarding the committee’s decision.

UI Dance Marathon Allocations Committee Meeting

The UIDM Spring 2026 Allocations Meeting will be held on Friday, May 8th at the Iowa Memorial Union. 

Spring 2026 Funding Timeline

  • Dance Marathon funding operates on a 12-month cycle. Projects that are not renewed annually will be considered complete after June 30, 2026. If you wish to continue your project beyond this funding period, you must submit a Request for Renewal to the Dance Marathon Allocations Committee for consideration during the Spring 2026 funding period. A reminder email will be sent to prompt you to complete the renewal request.
  • If your project is vetted for review, all applicants will receive a letter before July 31st regarding the committee’s decision.
  • Funds for approved projects will be transferred by July 1, 2026 and must be expended by June 30, 2027.
  • Any unspent or unencumbered funds after this date will be reverted to Dance Marathon and reallocated during future funding periods.
  • If you wish to continue your project beyond this period, you must submit a Request for Renewal through the Dance Marathon Allocations Committee for consideration during the Spring 2027 funding period.
  • Dance Marathon funding occurs on a 12-month cycle. Unless a project is renewed annually, it will be considered completed after June 30, 2027.

Fall 2025 Funding Timeline

  • All applicants received information about their project via email on December 23rd. If you did not receive this information, please contact Jessie Cunningham at jessie-cunningham@uiowa.edu.
  • Funds will be received by January 1st and these funds must be expended by December 31, 2026. Any unspent or unencumbered funds after this date will be reverted to Dance Marathon and reallocated during future funding periods.
  • Dance Marathon funding operates on a 12-month cycle. Projects that are not renewed annually will be considered complete after December 31, 2026. If you wish to continue your project beyond this funding period, you must submit a Request for Renewal to the Dance Marathon Allocations Committee for consideration during the Fall 2026 funding period. A reminder email will be sent to prompt you to complete the renewal request.

Contact Information

Please contact Jessie at jessie-cunningham@uiowa.edu if you have any questions.