The UICC ACS Institutional Research Grant (ACS IRG) Pilot Project Program provides seed funding for newly independent investigators to initiate cancer research projects and generate preliminary results that improve competitiveness for national peer‑reviewed research funding. The Cancer Center receives the ACS IRG as an institutional block grant and uses it to support early-stage cancer research projects led by junior faculty.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be within six years of their first independent research or faculty appointment.
- Applicants may not currently hold an NIH R01 or equivalent grant.
- Applicants with previously funded peer‑reviewed research grants (e.g., an R01) that were not renewed may still be eligible if they meet all listed conditions:
- Still at the Assistant Professor level.
- Within the first six years of independent faculty appointment.
- No more than 12 years from last degree.
- Have not received funds from the ACS IRG before.
- U.S. citizenship is not required. Non‑U.S. citizens must hold a visa that allows them to remain in the U.S. long enough to complete the project and must provide documentation at submission.
Funding Details:
- Up to 2 pilot awards in 2026.
- Amount: up to $50,000 per award.
- Project period: 1 year.
- Purpose: generate preliminary cancer research data to support future external grant submissions.
- Earliest pilot project start date: March 1, 2026.
- Application is a two-step process: Letter of Intent (LOI) followed by a full application.
Deadline:
- LOI deadline: Friday, January 16, 2026
- Full application deadline: Friday, January 30, 2026
Where to go for further information: