Established in honor of the late Dr. José Baselga — a transformative figure in cancer medicine and champion of physician-scientists — this AACR-AstraZeneca Career Development Award supports early-career physician-scientists conducting translational, clinical, or population sciences cancer research. The award covers all areas of oncology and is designed to encourage the development of innovative targeted therapeutics. It is open globally with no geographic or citizenship requirements, making it one of the most accessible industry-partnered career development grants in oncology. The application uses a two-stage competitive LOI and invited full application process, with peer review by a committee of senior cancer researchers appointed by the AACR President.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must hold a medical degree (MD, MD/PhD, DO, or equivalent) and a faculty position at the assistant professor, instructor, research assistant professor, or equivalent level at grant start (November 1, 2026); associate professors are not eligible
- First independent faculty position must have started within the past 6 years from the grant start date (exceptions up to 12 months for parental/family leave may be granted)
- Must be an AACR Active member in good standing by the LOI deadline (dues paid for current year); non-members must apply for membership before the deadline
- Must be able to commit at least 50% full-time effort to research during the grant term
- Must have independent laboratory space and be able to hold independent funding as confirmed by institution
- Must hold a valid, active medical license in the country where research will be conducted
- Cannot currently hold another AACR grant or have been a PI on a substantial independent award (e.g., NIH R01, DP2, or equivalent ≥$250,000 direct/year for >3 years)
- No citizenship or geographic restrictions; open worldwide
Funding Details:
- $300,000 over 3 years; no indirect costs permitted
- Allowable expenses: salary and benefits (PI and collaborators), supplies, equipment, publication charges, graduate student tuition
- Grant start: November 1, 2026
- Recipient must attend the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 Grantee Recognition Event (travel fundable from grant) and one AACR Grantee Summit during the grant term
Deadline:
- LOI deadline: April 14, 2026 at 1:00 PM US Eastern Time (submit via ProposalCentral)
- Full application deadline (invited only): August 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM US Eastern Time
- Award notification: October 2026
Where to Go for Further Information:
- Funding page
- Apply via ProposalCentral
- Eligibility questions: grants@aacr.org | Membership questions: membership@aacr.org