Academic Career Excellence

NCI Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award

The Academic Career Excellence (ACE) Award (K32) supports early-stage postdoctoral scholars across all areas of cancer research. It is designed to expand candidates’ scientific and career development experience beyond their predoctoral training. Applicants may submit just prior to or within the first two years of postdoctoral training and are not required to include preliminary data. The goal is to establish a strong foundation for independent research careers.

Eligibility Criteria

  • No citizenship requirement; U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and temporary visa holders are eligible

  • Must be within 1 year of transitioning into a postdoc or within first 2 years of postdoctoral training (resubmissions included)

  • Must have identified a postdoc mentor and developed a training plan

Funding Details

  • Duration: 3 years

  • Salary: Up to $80,000/year

  • Research Development Support: Up to $30,000/year (justified and aligned with training stage)

  • Salary must align with institutional standards for similar roles

Key Deadlines

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