A seed grant offered by the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) to kick-start research careers of oncology trainees. This one-year award provides $50,000 to support a radiation oncology resident or clinical fellow in conducting a mentored research project that advances the field . By investing in trainees’ ideas – from basic radiobiology to clinical radiation therapy trials – ASTRO aims to cultivate the next generation of academic radiation oncologists and improve cancer patient outcomes.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicant must be a current radiation oncology resident or radiation oncology clinical fellow in an accredited training program at the time of application and during the grant period . (International equivalents are typically not eligible unless specified; U.S. programs are the focus.)
- The research proposal can be in any area of radiation oncology (including combination therapies, technology development, outcomes/health services research, etc.), but must have a clear potential to enhance radiation treatment or cancer care.
- A faculty mentor in radiation oncology or related science is required to oversee the project. Only one application per trainee is allowed; ASTRO membership is recommended.
Funding Details:
- Grant Amount: $50,000 USD for a 1-year period . Funds may cover the trainee’s research time (salary stipend) and direct research costs (supplies, assays, etc.). No institutional overhead is permitted.
- Grant Term: Typically July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2027 for the upcoming cycle (exact dates to align with academic year).
- Recipients will be expected to present their findings (e.g., at ASTRO’s Annual Meeting or in a journal) and acknowledge ASTRO support. This grant is often leveraged to gather preliminary data for larger future grants or career development awards.
Deadline:
- January 26, 2026 – Complete applications must be submitted via ASTRO’s online submission system by this date . Award notifications are anticipated by Spring 2026. (Note: A single application to ASTRO’s seed grant program can be considered for multiple categories if eligible – e.g. lung-focused projects may also be considered for the ASTRO–LUNGevity grant.)
Where to go for further information: