The American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship (PF) has been supporting early-career cancer scientists for over 75 years, making it one of the longest-running oncology postdoctoral funding programs in the US. It supports new investigators across the full spectrum of cancer research—from basic science and preclinical research through clinical, psychosocial, behavioral, epidemiology, health services, and health policy research. The fellowship provides multi-year funding along with mentored career development, and fellows benefit from ACS community connections and meeting presentation support. Applications for the June 2026 cycle became available in March 2026 on ProposalCentral.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be a US citizen or non-citizen holding an appropriate visa at time of application submission
- Must have completed 3 or fewer years of postdoctoral research training at the time of the deadline
- Terminal doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DVM, or equivalent) required; degree must be conferred before grant activation
- Research must be cancer-focused and conducted at an approved non-profit US university, hospital, or research institution
- A named primary mentor/sponsor with an independent, established research program is required
- Cannot concurrently hold another postdoctoral fellowship at the time of activation
- Applicants with a T32 at time of application may apply, but cannot hold T32 concurrently with an active ACS PF
Funding Details
- Progressive stipends: $66,000 (Year 1), $68,000 (Year 2), $70,000 (Year 3)
- Annual $4,000 fellowship allowance (for health insurance, workshops, conference costs)
- Additional $1,500 travel allowance in the final year (for ACS Postdoctoral Fellows Symposium or domestic scientific meeting)
- Duration: up to 3 years
- Top-ranked fellowships may receive supplemental endowment funding above standard stipend
- No indirect costs
Deadline
- June 1, 2026, 11:59 PM Eastern Time
- Applications available on ProposalCentral from March 2026 (applications opened this month)
- Submit via proposalcentral.com
- If deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, accepted the following business day
Where to Go for Further Information
- Program overview and all grant types.
- Eligibility and policies.
- Eligibility questions (at least 6 weeks before deadline): grant.eligibility@cancer.org.