A collaborative grant between ASTRO and the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) dedicated to advancing radiation oncology physics research by young scientists. This one-year seed grant of $50,000 supports a medical physics resident or postdoctoral fellow in developing a novel project in radiation oncology physics . The award encourages exploration of cutting-edge concepts – from AI in treatment planning to new imaging or dosimetry techniques – and helps launch the careers of future leaders in cancer physics.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicant must be either a medical physics resident or a postdoctoral fellow with a PhD (or equivalent degree) in a related field . Eligible applicants include early-career radiation physicists or PhD scientists working in radiation oncology departments.
- The research proposal must be focused on physics aspects of radiation oncology – e.g., improving radiotherapy delivery, developing novel radiation devices, optimizing treatment algorithms, or radiobiological modeling with a physics approach.
- Applicants should be within a few years of completing their doctorate or residency. They need a mentor (established medical physicist or radiation oncologist) and institutional support. ASTRO or AAPM membership is encouraged. Up to two awards may be given (funding permitting) .
Funding Details:
- Grant Amount: $50,000 USD for 1 year . The funds are to be used for the trainee’s stipend and direct research expenses.
- This grant does not cover indirect costs or institution overhead.
- Grant Term: Expected to run from mid-2026 to mid-2027. All funds must be used within the 12-month period to accomplish the project aims.
- Grant recipients will have the opportunity to present their work and are encouraged to publish findings. The seed data generated can position the researcher for larger awards (e.g., NIH or foundation grants) as they transition to faculty.
Deadline:
- March 18, 2026 – Full proposal due via the AAPM’s online submission portal (linked through ASTRO’s grant page).
- Applicants should initiate their submissions well in advance. Award decisions will be announced in mid-2026, aligning with ASTRO’s annual funding cycle.
Where to go for further information: