The Hope Funds for Cancer Research Postdoctoral Fellowship supports highly innovative projects that challenge existing paradigms in the most difficult-to-treat cancers (pancreatic, lung, liver, sarcomas, esophageal, brain, gastric, bone, ovarian; and rare leukemias, lymphomas, MDS). This three-year fellowship empowers outstanding early-career scientists to pursue bold translational ideas with strong mentorship and a research environment primed for breakthroughs.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Degree: MD, PhD, MD/PhD, DDS, or DVM (foreign-trained physician equivalency considered case-by-case).
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Appointment: Must work under a sponsor with a formal appointment at the host institution; research performed at a U.S. university, hospital, or research institution (not for-profit).
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Timing: Applicants may apply before or during postdoc; if already appointed, must have been in the sponsor’s lab ≤2 years as of September 24, 2025.
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Exclusivity: Not eligible if you have accepted another postdoctoral research fellowship award.
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Focus: Project must directly address prevention, control, or treatment in the above hard-to-treat cancers, emphasizing innovation, significance, rigorous approach, and suitability of investigator and environment.
Funding Details:
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Term: 3 years.
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Stipend: Year 1 USD 56,000; Year 2 USD 59,000; Year 3 USD 62,000 (paid to the institution).
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Travel: USD 1,500 per year for conferences/training.
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Indirects: Not allowed; no administrative deductions from stipend or travel.
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Supplementation: Permitted from institution or sponsor grants (not from other fellowships).
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Effort: Full-time on funded research; no pursuit of additional degrees during fellowship.
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Administration & Reporting: Quarterly payments to institution; scientific progress reports annually (months 12, 24, 36) plus brief reports (months 5, 17, 29); annual financial reports.
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IP: Follow host institution patent policy; institution must notify Hope Funds of patent disclosures, filings, issuances, and provide yearly tech transfer status reports.
Deadline:
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Step 1 (Summary/Letter of Intent round): Email combined PDF to [email protected] by September 24, 2025.
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Step 2 (By invitation, full application): Due January 25, 2026 (online single PDF + hard-copy mailing).
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Reference letters (3 total, including sponsor): Sent directly by referees to [email protected] by January 25, 2026.
Where to Go for Further Information:
- Program details.
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Reference letters: Three letters (sponsor + two others) emailed directly by referees to [email protected].