The Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award in Drug Development supports promising physician-investigators conducting clinical oncology research focused on the discovery and development of new cancer therapies.
This one-year mentored award is intended for physicians transitioning from oncology fellowship or specialist training into an academic faculty appointment. Projects may include preclinical and clinical research, but they must have a clear drug-development focus and demonstrate how the findings could ultimately translate into improved cancer treatment. Applications are accepted across all cancer types from eligible investigators working in the United States and internationally.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be physicians holding an MD, DO, or international equivalent.
- Applicants must generally be within 10 years of receiving their medical degree. Exceptions may be considered for some international medical graduates and fellows in prolonged specialist training pathways.
- When the mentor is not an ASCO member, a supporting letter from an ASCO member at the sponsoring institution is required.
- Applicants must commit at least 60% of their overall professional time to research during the award period.
- Individuals may hold only one active Conquer Cancer award at a time.
- Previous or current recipients of the Conquer Cancer–AACR Young Investigator Award for Translational Cancer Research are not eligible.
Funding Details:
- The total award amount is USD 60,000 for one year.
- Funding is paid to the sponsoring institution in two instalments of USD 30,000.
- The award includes USD 50,000 to support the investigator and research project and USD 10,000 for dedicated drug-development mentorship.
- One award is expected to be funded during the 2027 competition.
Deadline:
- Applications opened: July 1, 2026.
- Full application deadline: January 28, 2027, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
- Post-submission materials deadline: February 18, 2027.
- Award notification: April 2027.
- Award term: July 1, 2027–June 30, 2028.
Further Information:
- Applications must include a research strategy, biostatistical plan, patient-impact section, budget, project timeline, applicant biosketch, mentorship plan, institutional support letter, and applicable clinical or drug-supply documentation.
- All application materials must be prepared in English.
- Applications must be submitted through the ASCO and Conquer Cancer Application Portal.
- Applications submitted by email, fax, or post will not be accepted.
- Eligibility questions may be directed to grants@conquer.org.