TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT)
Biotech & Life Sciences · Run by Texas Medical Center Innovation (TMCi), funded by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) · Houston, TX
Every field is checked against a primary source where we can. How we verify.
The facts
All fields verified Sep 28, 2026- Terms model
- Equity-freeProvides support with no cash invested and no equity taken.
- Investment
- Not publishedNine-month accelerator at Texas Medical Center for Texas-based cancer therapeutics researchers and companies, funded by CPRIT through 2031. The FAQ says it is offered at no cost and does not take equity from participants; there is no cash investment. Support includes a curated mentor network and entrepreneurs-in-residence, grant-writing support, computational chemistry resources, and access to Therapeutic Labs @ TMC and vivarium facilities. Participants must complete a business grant submission (SBIR/STTR or CPRIT) by the end of the program, so they need to incorporate during it. Applications for the next cohort close October 30, 2026; the FAQ says the program commences in January, while the application form's timeline shows it running February to September 2027. This is a separate program from TMCi's HealthTech Accelerator.
- Equity taken
- Not publishedNine-month accelerator at Texas Medical Center for Texas-based cancer therapeutics researchers and companies, funded by CPRIT through 2031. The FAQ says it is offered at no cost and does not take equity from participants; there is no cash investment. Support includes a curated mentor network and entrepreneurs-in-residence, grant-writing support, computational chemistry resources, and access to Therapeutic Labs @ TMC and vivarium facilities. Participants must complete a business grant submission (SBIR/STTR or CPRIT) by the end of the program, so they need to incorporate during it. Applications for the next cohort close October 30, 2026; the FAQ says the program commences in January, while the application form's timeline shows it running February to September 2027. This is a separate program from TMCi's HealthTech Accelerator.
- Program length
- 39 weeks
- Format
- Not published
- Location
- Houston, TX
- Cohorts per year
- 1
- Cohort size
- 24 participants (2025 cohort)
- Stage focus
- academic investigators and early-stage biotech companies
- Sub-vertical
- cancer therapeutics
- Demographic focus
- Not published
- Backers
- Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), Texas Medical Center
- Notable alumni
- Not published
Terms notes: Nine-month accelerator at Texas Medical Center for Texas-based cancer therapeutics researchers and companies, funded by CPRIT through 2031. The FAQ says it is offered at no cost and does not take equity from participants; there is no cash investment. Support includes a curated mentor network and entrepreneurs-in-residence, grant-writing support, computational chemistry resources, and access to Therapeutic Labs @ TMC and vivarium facilities. Participants must complete a business grant submission (SBIR/STTR or CPRIT) by the end of the program, so they need to incorporate during it. Applications for the next cohort close October 30, 2026; the FAQ says the program commences in January, while the application form's timeline shows it running February to September 2027. This is a separate program from TMCi's HealthTech Accelerator.
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Terms in plain English
The Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics is a free, nine-month program at Texas Medical Center for Texas-based teams developing cancer drugs. It takes no equity and charges nothing, because the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas funds it, but it does not invest cash either. Instead you get mentors and entrepreneurs-in-residence, computational chemistry help, lab and vivarium access, and support writing at least one non-dilutive grant application (SBIR/STTR or CPRIT).
Who this is actually for
Texas-based academic investigators and early-stage companies with a cancer therapeutics project, from target discovery through preclinical work, who want structured help building a drug development and business plan. You do not need a company to apply, but you must incorporate during the program to submit the required grant application.
TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) application deadlines
Next cohort, program starting early 2027 (Texas-based teams): Applications close Oct 30, 2026.
Verified Sep 28, 2026Source
Frequently asked questions
- When is the next TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) application deadline?
- The next confirmed application window for TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) closes Oct 30, 2026.
- How much does TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) invest?
- TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) does not publish an investment amount, so we record it as not published.
- How much equity does TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) take?
- TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) does not publish the equity it takes, so we record it as not published.
- Where is TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) located and is it in person?
- TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) is based in Houston, TX.
- Is TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) still active?
- As of our last check on Sep 28, 2026, TMC Accelerator for Cancer Therapeutics (ACT) is active.
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Sources
Everything above was checked against these, verified Sep 28, 2026.
- https://www.tmc.edu/innovation/therapeutic-labs-tmc/accelerator-cancer/
- https://www.tmc.edu/innovation/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/2026-ACT-FAQ-One-Pager.pdf
- https://www.tmc.edu/innovation/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2026/09/2026-ACT-Informational-One-Pager.pdf
- https://share.hsforms.com/1AtfvTmB2RrGjOtfI04ILOA4g43p
- https://www.tmc.edu/press-releases/innovators-join-texas-medical-centers-2025-accelerator-for-cancer-therapeutics-act-to-advance-oncology-treatment-in-texas/