Applications open: Bladder Cancer Awareness Month Grants 2026–2028

Building on the success and impact of previous years, the World Bladder Cancer Patient Coalition (WBCPC) is launching a new multi-year Bladder Cancer Awareness Month (BCAM) Grant Programme for the period 2026–2028.

This revised grant model is designed to move beyond one-off awareness activities and instead support sustained, locally led bladder cancer awareness efforts in low- and middle-income countries. By investing over three years, the programme aims to strengthen community capacity, continuity and long-term impact in settings where awareness of bladder cancer remains low.

Bladder cancer affects more than 600,000 people worldwide each year, and for many, diagnosis comes with little prior knowledge of the disease. Through the BCAM Grants Programme, WBCPC seeks to empower patient organisations, informal groups and advocacy networks to raise awareness, share lived experiences and engage communities in meaningful and culturally relevant ways.

About the BCAM Grants Programme

Under this new framework:

• Three BCAM Grants will be awarded in total
• Each grant is a three-year commitment, subject to annual evaluation

• Funding per selected grantee will progress as follows:

  • 2026: USD 1,000

  • 2027: USD 2,000

  • 2028: USD 3,000

• Support may be provided as financial and/or in-kind funding

Continuation to Year 2 and Year 3 funding is conditional on satisfactory implementation, reporting and achievement of agreed objectives in the previous year.

Who can apply

The BCAM Grants Programme is open to individuals, informal groups or non-profit organisations based in low- and middle-income countries, as defined by the World Bank, who are committed to raising bladder cancer awareness at the community level.

What the programme involves

All applicants are required to incorporate the BCAM 2026 campaign theme and resources, including:

• Sharing campaign social media messages and visuals in relevant local languages
• Participating in and engaging their community with the “Spot the Drop” digital game

In addition, applicants must include at least two locally relevant awareness-raising activities, such as:

• Developing community-specific awareness materials (videos, posters, flyers, etc.)
• Hosting bladder cancer information sessions (online or in person)
• Organising a fundraising event to support awareness or patient activities
• Sharing bladder cancer patient or carer stories

• Writing a short article on the bladder cancer situation in their country, combining data, personal stories or interviews

Applicants must submit:

• A detailed proposal and indicative budget for Year 1 (2026)
• A brief outline of their three-year vision and ambitions

Grant awardees will also be invited to take part in a short online video interview with WBCPC to showcase their activities and reflect on the impact of the grant.

Key dates

• Application deadline: 6 March 2026
• Year 1 funding decisions communicated: mid-March 2026
• BCAM activities begin: between 1–7 May 2026

• Annual impact report deadline: 1 July (each year)

Evaluation and reporting

Applications will be assessed based on feasibility, creativity, potential impact and alignment with the BCAM campaign and local context. Selected applicants will be invited to an online call to discuss their proposed activities.

Grant awardees are required to submit an annual impact report using a WBCPC reporting template and provide key outcomes, performance metrics and supporting images or videos.

Over the past years, BCAM Grants have supported impactful initiatives across Africa, Asia, Europe and Latin America, demonstrating the power of locally led awareness to change conversations and improve understanding of bladder cancer.

Applications are now open.
Learn more, explore previous BCAM Grant awardees, and apply through the online application platform.