The AACR-AstraZeneca Fellowship for Physician-Scientists for Digital Pathology and AI Training supports the training and career development of pathologists interested in digital pathology, artificial intelligence, and computational pathology.
The two-year fellowship combines academic and industry-based research training, with fellows spending one year at their academic institution and one year working with an AstraZeneca team. Research projects may be basic, translational, or clinical but must focus on digital and/or computational pathology.
The program aims to prepare physician-scientists for careers at the intersection of pathology, artificial intelligence, cancer research, and diagnostics.
Eligibility Criteria
- Hold an MD, DO, MD/PhD, or equivalent medical degree in a related field.
- Be enrolled in an accredited pathology residency or fellowship program at an academic, medical, or research institution in the United States.
- Be authorized to work in the United States for the duration of the fellowship.
- Have at least two years of protected research time.
- Have a mentor in the proposed research field at the sponsoring institution.
- Be an AACR member in good standing by the application deadline.
- There are no citizenship restrictions, but applicants must be based in an eligible U.S. pathology residency or fellowship program and have appropriate U.S. work authorization.
- Applicants cannot be employed or subcontracted by a U.S. federal government entity or for-profit private industry.
- Apply as a clinical fellow from a U.S. government laboratory such as the NIH, CDC, or FDA.
Funding Details
- Grant amount: $200,000 USD
- Grant duration: 2 years
- Grant start date: December 1, 2026
- During the academic year, fellows must dedicate at least 50% effort to the proposed project.
- Up to 50% of the total grant budget may be used for eligible non-personnel direct research expenses.
Deadline
- Application deadline: September 29, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time
- Applications must be submitted online through ProposalCentral.
- Finalist notification: On or around November 9, 2026
- Virtual finalist interviews: On or around November 20, 2026
- Start of grant term: December 1, 2026
Further Information
- Applications are peer-reviewed by a Scientific Review Committee with expertise in digital and computational pathology.
- Finalists will be invited to a virtual interview consisting of a 10-minute presentation followed by a 10-minute Q&A.
- The selected fellow must attend the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 Grantee Recognition Event and is also expected to participate in an AACR Grantee Summit during the grant term.
- Applicants with eligibility questions can contact the AACR Research and Grants Administration at grants@aacr.org.
- Official program page: View the official website.
- Program Guidelines and Application Instructions: View the official AACR PDF.