The AACR–World Cancer Research Fund International–Prevent Cancer Foundation Cancer Prevention Research Fellowship supports postdoctoral and clinical research fellows conducting mentored research in primary cancer prevention.
The fellowship is intended to advance research that prevents cancer before it starts by identifying, reducing, or interrupting cancer risk factors and the earliest biological processes involved in cancer initiation. Eligible projects may involve basic, clinical, translational, or population sciences research.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must hold a PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent doctoral degree in a relevant field.
- Applicants with a medical degree must have completed either their most recent doctoral degree or medical residency—whichever occurred later—within the five years preceding the grant start date.
- Applicants cannot be pursuing another doctoral degree when the grant begins.
- Applicants cannot be employees or subcontractors of a U.S. federal government entity or for-profit private company.
- Applicants cannot concurrently hold another AACR grant.
- There are no citizenship or geographic restrictions, but applicants must have sufficient work authorization to complete the fellowship term.
Funding Details:
- The fellowship provides USD 130,000 over two years.
- Funding primarily supports the fellow’s salary and benefits while completing a mentored primary cancer prevention project.
- Up to 50% of the award may support non-personnel expenses, including laboratory supplies, equipment, publication costs, and other direct research expenses.
Deadline:
- Application deadline: September 22, 2026, at 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.
- Decision notification: November 2026.
- Grant term: December 1, 2026–November 30, 2028.
Further Information:
- Projects must directly address primary cancer prevention through risk reduction, exposure modification, prevention of cancer-related infections, or interruption of biological processes involved in cancer initiation.
- Projects focused mainly on screening, early detection, surveillance, diagnosis, established cancer treatment, or management of precancerous lesions are not central to the program unless clearly connected to a primary prevention objective.
- Each recipient must attend an AACR Grantee Recognition Event to formally accept the fellowship.
- Applications must be completed online through ProposalCentral; applicants should carefully review the official Program Guidelines and Application Instructions before submitting.
- Eligibility questions may be directed to the AACR Research and Grants Administration team at grants@aacr.org.