The ALSF ‘A’ Award Grant is a flagship early-career grant designed for investigators who wish to establish a career in pediatric oncology research. The program provides substantial multi-year funding along with a structured mentoring and career development framework, positioning recipients to successfully compete for larger sustaining grants such as NIH R01s. The ideal applicant has an original project that is not currently being funded, with demonstrated future commitment to pediatric cancer investigation and strong institutional support for career development. A mentor is required, and a career development plan must be included in the application. ALSF takes a deliberately high-risk, high-reward approach to grant selection, targeting investigators who can generate transformative preliminary data. Applications are submitted directly as full proposals (no prior LOI required) through ProposalCentral and undergo NIH-recognized peer review.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicant institutions must be based in the United States or Canada; applicants need not be U.S. citizens.
- Applicants must hold an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD (DO, MBBS, or equivalent) and be within 5 years of their first faculty appointment as Assistant Professor.
- MD and MD/PhD: must also be within 10 years of terminal research degree or end of post-graduate clinical training (whichever is later).
- PhD: must also be within 10 years of terminal research degree.
- More senior Assistant Professors, Associate Professors, and Full Professors are ineligible. Instructors must have a firm commitment for an Assistant Professor position within one year of award.
- A minimum of 75% of the applicant’s time during the award period must be allocated as non-clinical protected time for all research activities.
- An institutional mentor is required (co-mentor from outside institution permitted).
- Applicants cannot be PI of a K99/R00 or other independent, nationally competitive award (R01 or equivalent) that has been funded or recommended for funding before the ‘A’ Award start date. Mentored-career development grants (K01, K08, K23, etc.) are permitted.
Funding Details:
- Total award: Up to $800,000 USD in direct costs over 4 years ($200,000 maximum per year).
- Indirect costs are not allowed. ALSF adheres to the NIH Salary Cap.
- Allowable costs include personnel, fringe, travel, supplies, and equipment under $10,000. No tuition remission.
- Non-renewable; one no-cost extension (max 12 months) may be requested.
- Award period: February 2027 – January 2031.
Deadline:
- Full application due: June 16, 2026, 8:00 PM ET (via ProposalCentral).
- Award notification: November 2026; projected start: February 2027.
Where to Go for Further Information: