The FY26 Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award (OCA-ECI), offered through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs’ Ovarian Cancer Research Program, supports junior investigators pursuing independent careers in ovarian cancer research.
The award combines a four-year research project with intensive mentorship, networking, professional development, monthly Academy activities, and collaboration with other ovarian cancer researchers. Approximately $4.5 million is expected to support four awards, with each application eligible for up to $1.125 million in total costs over four years.
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must be within 5 years of their last postdoctoral research position, clinical fellowship, or equivalent as of October 1, 2026.
- Individuals who are still in a postdoctoral position or clinical fellowship at the full application deadline are not eligible.
- Applicants may be either research scientists or physician-scientists.
- The institution must provide approximately 50% protected time for ovarian cancer research and Ovarian Cancer Academy activities.
- If the Designated Mentor is at another institution, an additional Other Mentor at the applicant’s institution must be included.
- Foreign and U.S. organizations, including nonprofit, for-profit, public, and private organizations, are eligible.
- There are no nationality or citizenship restrictions for the PI.
Funding Details
- Maximum award: $1.125 million in total costs.
- Maximum duration: 4 years.
- Total anticipated program funding: Approximately $4.5 million.
Deadline
- Pre-Application / Letter of Intent: September 15, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
- Full application: October 1, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.
- Application verification ends: October 6, 2026 at 5:00 PM ET.
- Peer review: November 2026.
- Programmatic review: January 2027.
- Awards are expected to be made no later than September 30, 2027.
Further Information
- Research may involve basic, translational, and/or clinical research in ovarian cancer.
- Pre-applications are submitted through eBRAP; extramural organizations submit full applications through Grants.gov.
- Official program page: View on Simpler.Grants.gov
- Official FY26 Program Announcement: View the full guidelines