This week’s OncoGrants roundup stretches from national nursing science programs to a flagship pan-European research initiative — with 10 verified, currently open funding opportunities spanning lung cancer drug resistance, ovarian cancer AI, cancer immunotherapy, clinical scientist development, and the next generation of breakthrough postdoctoral researchers. Two programs carry deadlines within days — the AACR Immuno-Oncology Research Fellowship LOI closes May 12 and the ONF Emerging Investigator Grant LOI closes May 18 — making this one of the most time-sensitive editions of the year. The list closes with the Horizon Europe Cancer Mission Call 2026, one of the largest and most ambitious cancer research funding mechanisms in the world, offering multidisciplinary consortia a rare chance to contribute to Europe’s transformative cancer agenda ahead of its September 15 deadline.
1. AACR Immuno‑Oncology Research Fellowship
This AACR fellowship supports mentored postdoctoral or clinical research in cancer immunotherapy and immuno‑oncology, spanning basic, translational, or clinical research approaches.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Hold a postdoctoral or clinical research fellowship position at grant start
- Hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent)
- Be an AACR member
Funding Details:
- $60,000 total funding
- Duration: 2 years
- Grant start date: December 1, 2026
Deadline:
- LOI due: May 12, 2026
- Full application due: September 8, 2026
- Award notification: November 2026
Where to go for further information:
- Program details.
- Contact: grants@aacr.org
2. ONF Research Grant — Emerging Investigator Track (RE03)
The Oncology Nursing Foundation (ONF) Emerging Investigator Research Grant supports early‑career oncology nurses in conducting pilot or feasibility research that advances oncology nursing science. The program is designed to help new investigators establish an independent research trajectory while being supported by an experienced mentor. All oncology nursing research topics are eligible.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Be a registered, doctorally prepared oncology nurse
- Be actively involved in cancer care, education, or research
- Have not previously completed a research study funded at $50,000 or more as Principal Investigator
- Include at least one team member who has completed a $100,000+ funded research study and serves as a mentor
Funding Details:
- Up to $50,000 total project funding
- Grant duration: 1 year
Deadline:
- Letter of Intent (LOI): May 18, 2026
- Full Application: July 6, 2026
- Award Notification: November 2026
Where to go for further information:
- Program details.
- Contact: grants@onfgivesback.org
3. AACR Career Development Awards to Foster Diversity and Inclusion
This AACR award supports early‑career faculty from underrepresented backgrounds conducting basic, translational, or population‑based cancer research. The program aims to foster diversity and inclusion while enabling investigators to establish independent research careers. Clinical research projects are not supported.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent)
- Have no ongoing clinical responsibilities
- Hold a faculty position (assistant professor or equivalent) by September 1, 2026
- Have started their first independent position between September 1, 2020 and September 1, 2026
- Not have served as PI on major federal awards (e.g., R01, DP2, DP5, MIRA)
- Be an AACR Active member
Funding Details:
- $300,000 over 3 years
- Grant start date: September 1, 2026
Deadline:
- Full application due: May 19, 2026 (invited applicants only)
Where to go for further information:
- Program details.
- Contact: grants@aacr.org
4. American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowship
The ACS Postdoctoral Fellowship supports postdoctoral researchers conducting cancer research across the full spectrum, including basic science, clinical, epidemiology, behavioral, and health services research. The fellowship emphasizes training and career development for future independent investigators.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Have ≤3 years of postdoctoral research training at time of application
- Hold appropriate visa status if not a U.S. citizen
- Conduct research at an eligible U.S. academic or nonprofit institution
- Not be enrolled in a doctoral degree program
Funding Details:
- Stipend: $66,000–$70,000 per year (progressive)
- Duration: Up to 3 years
- Annual fellowship allowance: $4,000
- Travel allowance: $1,500 (final year)
Deadline:
- June 1, 2026
- December 1, 2026 (second annual cycle)
Where to go for further information:
5. American Cancer Society Clinician Scientist Development Grant
This ACS grant supports mentored clinical and translational research training for early‑career clinicians transitioning toward independent clinician‑scientist roles while maintaining clinical responsibilities.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Be full‑time faculty with active clinical responsibilities
- Not yet lead an independent research program
- Be committed to mentored development as an independent clinician scientist
- Be based at an eligible U.S. institution
Funding Details:
- $135,000 direct costs per year
- Duration: 3–5 years
- 8% allowable indirect costs
Deadline:
- June 1, 2026
- December 1, 2026
Where to go for further information:
- Program details.
- Contact: grant.eligibility@cancer.org
6. LCRF Research Grant on Overcoming Resistance in Lung Cancer 2026
The LCRF Research Grant on Overcoming Resistance in Lung Cancer is a focused funding mechanism from the Lung Cancer Research Foundation (LCRF) targeting one of the most critical unmet needs in thoracic oncology: understanding, preventing, and overcoming drug resistance across all lung cancer histologies. The programme funds mechanistic, developmental, and translational projects addressing resistance to targeted therapies, immunotherapies, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and antibody-drug conjugates, including in rare and challenging settings such as leptomeningeal and brain metastases. Priority areas include histological transformation, oligometastatic disease, uncommon mutations, non-genomic resistance mechanisms, and novel diagnostic biomarkers to monitor treatment response and relapse. Despite being the world’s leading cause of cancer death, lung cancer research remains critically underfunded, making this one of the few dedicated resistance-focused mechanisms globally open to international applicants.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Be primarily affiliated with a non-profit academic or research institution
- Be a postdoctoral researcher, clinical fellow, or early- to mid-career investigator
- Have less than 7 years of experience since their initial faculty appointment
- Not have received LCRF funding within the last 4 years
- Not apply to more than one LCRF grant track in the same cycle (as lead or co-investigator)
There are no citizenship or geographic restrictions — applicants from international institutions are eligible.
Funding Details:
- Grant amount: Up to $150,000 USD total
- Grant term: 2 years
- Covers personnel, supplies, and research-related expenses per RFA guidelines
Deadline:
- Full proposal deadline: 2 June 2026
Where to go for further information:
- Programme page
- Application portal: ProposalCentral
- Contact: grants@LCRF.org
7. AACR–Novocure Cancer Research Grant
This AACR–Novocure grant supports basic and translational cancer research focused on Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields). Priority is given to projects advancing in‑vitro findings into in‑vivo systems, combination therapies, or clinical translation, and all proposals must incorporate use of the Inovitro® system.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent)
- Be an independent investigator (not a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow)
- Be an AACR Active member in good standing
- Have no prior AACR–Novocure grant funding
- Be eligible regardless of citizenship or country of residence
Funding Details:
- $350,000 total funding
- 3‑year grant term
- Project start date: December 1, 2026
Deadline:
- Full application due: June 4, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET
Where to go for further information:
- Program details.
- Contact: grants@aacr.org
8. OCRA AI Accelerator Grant
The OCRA AI Accelerator Grant supports innovative applications of artificial intelligence in ovarian cancer research. Funded by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance in partnership with the Global Ovarian Cancer Research Consortium, the program encourages AI‑powered approaches to improve understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of ovarian cancer.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Be affiliated with an institution eligible under OCRA’s Terms and Conditions
- Submit applications exclusively via the SmartSimple portal
- Comply with OCRA policies regarding direct and indirect costs
Funding Details:
- Funding amount and project terms to be defined in the full RFA (released mid‑May 2026)
Deadline:
- LOI details released: mid‑May 2026
- Full application deadline to follow
Where to go for further information:
9. Damon Runyon–Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists
This award supports extraordinary Damon Runyon Fellows who have demonstrated exceptional research impact and are transitioning to independence. The program provides sustained funding to accelerate high‑potential cancer research careers.
Eligibility Criteria:
Applicants must:
- Be current Damon Runyon Fellows in their final fellowship year
- Meet cohort‑specific eligibility defined in the RFP
- Provide two independent external references (not mentors or collaborators)
Funding Details:
- Multi‑year funding (amount specified in RFP)
Deadline:
- July 15, 2026
Where to go for further information:
10. Horizon Europe Cancer Mission Call 2026
The Horizon Europe Cancer Mission Call 2026 funds bold, collaborative projects aimed at advancing cancer prevention, early detection, clinical trials, digital health, and equitable cancer care. Topics include Virtual Human Twin models, microbiome-based early prediction, pragmatic immunotherapy trials, enhanced palliative care, survivor mental health, and cancer resilience programs. It offers a unique opportunity for multidisciplinary teams across Europe and eligible non-EU countries to contribute to Europe’s transformative cancer research mission.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Research consortia comprising institutions in EU Member States or Horizon Europe Associated Countries.
- Projects must align with at least one Cancer Mission topic.
- Inclusion of clinical, academic, NGO, or industry partners is encouraged.
- At least one participant must be based in a Horizon Europe-associated country.
Funding Details:
- Calls funded under Horizon Europe (2021–2027); total programme >€14 billion (Health cluster).
- Specific budget per topic varies (consult Funding & Tenders Portal).
- Modular funding covers research activities, personnel, technology, and collaborative costs.
Deadline:
- Deadline for proposal submission: 15 September 2026, 17:00 CEST
Where to go for further information:
- Funding & Tenders Portal: Cancer Mission calls 2026
The breadth of this week’s roundup reflects a funding landscape in active motion — from nursing science pilots and TTFields mechanisms to pan-European cancer consortia with nine-figure programme budgets. For investigators working on deadlines this month, the AACR Immuno-Oncology Fellowship LOI (May 12) and ONF Emerging Investigator Grant LOI (May 18) require immediate action. For multidisciplinary teams with the capacity to build a consortium application, the Horizon Europe Cancer Mission Call 2026 stands as one of the highest-ceiling opportunities in international cancer research and warrants early scoping well ahead of the September 15 close. Keep checking OncoDaily’s OncoGrants section each week for the latest funding opportunities across the full cancer research and care landscape.