The Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG) from the American Cancer Society provides significant support for junior faculty physicians to protect time for research while they develop into independent clinician-scientists. This grant offers $135,000 per year for 3 to 5 years (total up to $675,000 over five years) to early-career doctors (e.g. medical oncologists, surgeons, radiologists) who have clinical duties but seek to conduct impactful cancer research with a structured mentorship and training plan. It is often done in collaboration with ASTRO or other specialty societies for candidates in those fields.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be full-time faculty with clinical responsibilities (treating patients) who do not yet lead an independent research program. Typically this means they are within the first few years of their faculty appointment (assistant professor or equivalent) and still require mentored research training to become independent investigators.
- An MD (or MD/PhD) or DO degree is required, and applicants should have completed their clinical training (board-certified or eligible) in an oncology-related specialty. They should be within 6 years of their first faculty appointment.
- Mentorship: A senior mentor(s) is required. The applicant must propose a detailed career development and supervision plan, where the mentor will guide their research and training in scientific methods.
- Research Area: Can be any type of cancer research (basic, clinical, translational, prevention, outcomes, etc.) as long as the applicant’s clinical insights inform the research. The project should be feasible within the period and lead to results that position the clinician for independent R01-level funding.
- Institutional Support: The applicant’s institution must commit to protecting at least 50% of the applicant’s time for research if funded. A letter from the department chair must confirm that the candidate will have appropriate protected time and resources (and that the grant’s salary support will indeed allow reduction of clinical load).
- Applicants must not have existing large career development awards (like NIH K-series or equivalent). They may have smaller pilot grants. ACS membership is not required. This grant is open to institutions in the United States, and the applicant must be based at a U.S. academic/medical institution.
Funding Details:
- Amount: $135,000 per year (direct costs), plus 8% allowable indirect costs, for 3 to 5 years. Typically awarded for 3 years with option to renew for 2 more upon progress, or some are funded for full 5 years from the start. For example, ASTRO-ACS CSDG is 3 years $729,000 including indirects.
- Usage: Funds can cover the investigator’s salary (to buy down clinical time) and research expenses (personnel, supplies, equipment). The idea is to relieve the clinician from some patient-care duties and provide research dollars to launch their lab or studies. At least 50% of their effort must be devoted to research training and project work during the grant.
- The award also includes participation in ACS’s professional development activities – CSDG recipients may attend ACS grantee retreats or symposiums. The grant fosters progression to independent funding: by the end of the term, the clinician should be competitive for NIH grants or similar.
- If co-sponsored by a society (e.g., ASTRO), the focus may be on that field (e.g., radiation oncology for ASTRO-ACS CSDG). The terms remain similar.
Deadline:
- The next standard application deadline is anticipated June 1, 2026 (and also December 1, 2026, as ACS has two cycles per year). Note: ACS grant deadlines that fall on a weekend/holiday move to next business day. For 2026, June 1 is a Monday, so it stands.
- Informational Webinar: ACS often holds webinars for applicants a few weeks before deadlines. It’s advisable to register for those for guidance.
- Funding decisions are typically made in the fall for June submissions (for a January start), and in spring for December submissions (for a July start). For example, an application due June 1, 2026 would, if funded, start approximately January 1, 2027.
- Internal institutional deadlines will apply (many institutions require a notice of intent months prior). Also note that some CSDGs are offered via RFAs (like ASTRO-ACS had Dec 1 deadline for 2025 cycle ). Always check the ACS website for the specific RFA and deadlines applicable to your specialty.
Where to go for further information: