A prestigious training grant from the American Society of Hematology (ASH) that provides protected time and funding for hematology-oncology fellows to develop as independent investigators . The RTAF is a one-year award enabling young physician-scientists to conduct a mentored research project in any hematology-related area (benign or malignant) and acquire key preliminary data and skills for a future academic career in blood cancer or blood disorder research.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Hematology/Hematology-Oncology Fellows between their 2nd and 5th year of fellowship training are eligible . (Both MD and MD/PhD fellows may apply.)
- Must be enrolled in an accredited hematology or combined hematology-oncology fellowship program during the award period .
- Project must be in the field of hematology (including hematologic malignancies, blood disorders, or transfusion medicine). Basic, translational, clinical, or outcomes research proposals are accepted .
- Applicants require a supportive mentor and institutional commitment for research time. ASH membership is expected.
Funding Details:
- Award Amount: $70,000 USD for a one-year period . This is intended to cover the fellow’s salary and research expenses, guaranteeing ~12 months of dedicated research time free from heavy clinical duties .
- Optional 2nd Year: Up to four top awardees each cycle may competitively receive a second year of RTAF support (an additional $70K) to extend their project .
- Additional Benefits: RTAF recipients also receive $1,000 travel support to attend the ASH Annual Meeting the year after the award , and they become strong candidates for the ASH Scholar Award (for junior faculty) as a next step . No indirect costs are allowed.
Deadline:
- January 15, 2026 – Full application due via ASH’s online portal . (LOI is not required; the application portal opened Sept 1, 2025 .)
- Finalists will be interviewed March 30–31, 2026 , and award notifications made by May 2026 . The RTAF grant period will begin July 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
- Program details.
- For questions, contact ASH Awards at [email protected].