The AACR-KidneyCAN Kidney Cancer Innovation and Discovery Grants, funded through the partnership between the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) and KidneyCAN — a nonprofit patient advocacy organization dedicated to accelerating kidney cancer cures — provide $50,000 for one year of independent research focused exclusively on kidney cancer. This grant is designed to support high-quality science that has the potential to meaningfully advance the understanding, detection, or treatment of renal malignancies. Unlike many AACR-affiliated awards, no Letter of Intent is required; investigators submit a full application directly through ProposalCentral. The 2026 grant cycle carries an extremely urgent deadline of March 12, 2026 — just days away — making this the most time-sensitive opportunity in this batch.
The award targets independent investigators who hold an active AACR membership and are in an assistant professor-equivalent or higher position at the time of submission. Both basic and clinical/translational proposals are welcome, as long as the research is directly applicable to kidney cancer. Investigators who have previously received R01-equivalent funding are not eligible. This partnership reflects KidneyCAN’s broader mission to increase federal and private investment in kidney cancer research and to ensure that researchers working on this understudied malignancy have access to competitive, career-building funding at the early stages of independence.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) required
- Must hold an independent research position at the level of assistant professor or equivalent at the time of application
- Must be an active AACR member in good standing; non-members may apply concurrently for membership
- No prior receipt of an R01 or equivalent peer-reviewed research grant
- Research must focus on kidney cancer (basic, translational, or clinical)
- Applicants worldwide are eligible; no citizenship or residency restrictions
- Full application required; no LOI step
Funding Details:
- Award amount: $50,000 for one year
- Funds support direct research costs including personnel, supplies, and project-related expenses
- No indirect costs permitted (per AACR standard policy for these awards)
- Grant term: approximately one year from award start date
- Disbursed per AACR standard schedule; annual reporting required
Deadline:
- Full Application Deadline: March 12, 2026 — URGENT
- No Letter of Intent required; full applications accepted directly
- All applications submitted via AACR ProposalCentral portal
Contact / Further Information:
- AACR Grants page
- KidneyCAN
- AACR Grant inquiries: grants@aacr.org