The American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grants provide funding to independent, self-directed investigators developing innovative cancer research programs.
Investigator-initiated projects may address questions across the cancer research continuum, including cancer biology, causes, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, outcomes, and cancer control. Projects must align with an American Cancer Society priority research area, and the applicant’s institution must provide the space and resources normally available to an independent investigator.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must be independent investigators working at an eligible U.S. academic institution or nonprofit research organization.
- Applicants may be Principal Investigator on no more than one active NIH R01 or R01-equivalent grant when applying.
- ACS defines an R01-equivalent award as one providing more than USD 100,000 in annual direct costs for more than three years.
- Extension requests should be submitted to grant.eligibility@cancer.org at least six weeks before the application deadline.
- Current or former Research Scholar Grant recipients generally cannot apply for a second RSG unless their previous award was funded through a special initiative Request for Applications.
- Applicants may submit the same research to another funder on an either-or basis, but ACS does not fund projects already supported in whole or in part by another organization.
- U.S. citizenship is not required, but the sponsoring institution must meet ACS institutional eligibility requirements.
Funding Details:
- Research Scholar Grants provide up to USD 215,000 per year in direct costs.
- The grant may also include up to 10% in allowable indirect costs.
- The maximum total award is USD 946,000 over four years, consisting of up to USD 860,000 in direct costs and USD 86,000 in indirect costs.
- Salary support is limited by the applicable NIH salary cap and must correspond to the individual’s effort on the project.
- Permanent equipment costing USD 5,000 or more must be listed separately and justified.
- Indirect costs cannot exceed 10% of direct costs, excluding permanent equipment.
Deadline:
- Standard application deadlines are June 1 and December 1 annually.
- The next deadline is December 1, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time.
- When a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are accepted on the following business day.
- Application materials are generally made available through ProposalCentral approximately three months before the deadline.
- Applications submitted for the December cycle should use an anticipated project start date of October 1 of the following year.
Further Information:
- Applications require a one-page Specific Aims section, a research plan, NIH-format biosketches, a detailed budget and justification, Other Support documentation, institutional support, and applicable compliance materials.
- The research plan must demonstrate significance, innovation, cancer relevance, methodological rigor, feasibility, appropriate institutional resources, and the project’s potential benefit to people affected by cancer.
- Applicants must submit a public-facing General Audience Summary, a technical abstract, and a clear statement explaining the project’s relevance and potential impact on cancer prevention, detection, treatment, survivorship, or care.
- Applications must be completed and electronically submitted through ProposalCentral; the Principal Investigator’s electronic signature is required.
- Official program information and application details: Visit the American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grants page for current eligibility policies, application documents, deadlines, and access to the application portal.