Through its pilot grant program, the Developmental Core catalyzes innovative and collaborative research that enhances the work of the Upstream Research Center and facilitates partnerships with community partners and new investigators. The pilot grant program offers three tracks and encourages community-prioritized research projects: 1) the Community Partners Track supports community-prioritized interventions and capacity development projects related to income support and cancer equity 2) the Pathways and Policy Track supports projects that can elucidate the mechanisms and pathways linking income programs to cancer inequalities, and 3) the Early Career Track supports scholars committed to advancing cancer health equity through research and practice in persistent poverty areas. The Developmental Core capitalizes on the breadth and depth of research at the intersection of poverty and cancer at the three Comprehensive Cancer Centers. Funded projects will synergize with and extend the Center’s research projects and the Research and Methods Core.