Top 10 OncoGrants of the Week: Catalyzing Translational Impact, Workforce Growth, and Equitable Cancer Care

This week, OncoDaily showcases ten active fellowships and grant programs designed to turn strong ideas into measurable outcomes across cancer research, clinical excellence, and public health.

From early-career accelerators and mentored clinician–scientist tracks to implementation awards that move evidence into practice, these opportunities provide protected time, expert guidance, and resources to help teams deliver better outcomes faster.

The slate spans hands-on surgical and radiation oncology training, molecular pathology and next-generation diagnostics, immunotherapy and cell-based platforms, and AI-enabled imaging and early detection. You’ll also find awards focused on pediatric oncology capacity building, survivorship and palliative care leadership, health-systems strengthening, and short cross-border exchanges that transfer skills and technology to where they are needed most.

Bridging bench, bedside, and population science, each program emphasizes structured mentorship, multidisciplinary collaboration, and rigorous methodology—pairing biostatistics, data science, and regulatory readiness with quality improvement and equitable delivery. Whether you are launching a first independent project, scaling a clinical innovation, or establishing regional services in resource-limited settings, this week’s list meets you at your next step.

Collectively, these opportunities signal a sustained global commitment to talent development and fair access to innovation—building people, programs, and systems that lift oncology everywhere. Scan the timelines, line up mentors and letters, and align your budgets and ethics plans: with focus and the right partners, this week’s OncoGrants can turn momentum into durable impact.

1. B.J. Kennedy Geriatric Oncology Award

First awarded in 2007, this ASCO lectureship honors B.J. Kennedy, MD, for pioneering contributions to cancer care in older adults and for mentoring generations of oncologists. The recipient delivers a 30-minute lecture in geriatric oncology during the ASCO Annual Meeting and is highlighted across ASCO communication channels.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be an ASCO member

• Geriatric oncologist with outstanding leadership and achievement in geriatric oncology

• Demonstrated scholarship, effective mentorship of fellows, and compassionate care for older adults with cancer

• May receive this award only once

• Ineligible during service (and for two years after service for Elected Officers) on the ASCO/Association Boards; Joint Special Awards Selection Committee members are ineligible during their term

Funding Details:

• USD 5,000 honorarium

• Commemorative plaque

• Support to attend the ASCO Annual Meeting (year of conferment)

• 30-minute lecture on a geriatric oncology topic (recorded with ASCO support and shared with meeting attendees)

• Supporter: Endowed by Dr. Tony and Mrs. Carrie Cheung

Deadline:

• Nominations close July 1, 2026.

Where to go for further information:

• Nominate someone on the website.

2. American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Award

First awarded in 1993, the ASCO – American Cancer Society Cancer Prevention Award recognizes individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the prevention and management of cancer. Jointly supported by ASCO and the American Cancer Society, this distinguished lectureship honors leaders who have advanced cancer prevention research, education, and practice.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be an ASCO member.

• Must have made a significant contribution to the field of cancer prevention and control research or practice.

• Must be a distinguished lecturer capable of delivering a 30-minute address on cancer prevention.

• This award may only be received once per individual.

• Members of the ASCO Board of Directors and Elected Officers are ineligible during and for two years following their term.

• Members of the Joint Special Awards Selection Committee are not eligible during their service.

Funding Details:

• The award includes a USD 5,000 honorarium, a commemorative plaque, and support to attend the ASCO Annual Meeting.

• The recipient delivers a 30-minute lecture on cancer prevention, recorded with ASCO support and shared with Annual Meeting attendees.

• The recipient is recognized during the ASCO Annual Meeting and featured in ASCO communication channels.

Deadline:

• Nominations close July 1, 2026.

Where to go for further information:

• Nominate someone on the website.

3. Allen Lichter Visionary Leader Award

First awarded in 2017, the Allen Lichter Visionary Leader Award honors Dr. Allen S. Lichter, MD, FASCO, for his transformative leadership and lifelong commitment to advancing oncology. The award recognizes ASCO memberswho have demonstrated exceptional vision, innovation, and the ability to inspire change in cancer care or who have significantly advanced the missions of ASCO or Conquer Cancer through their leadership.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Must be an ASCO member.

• Must demonstrate innovative and inspirational leadership that has transformed oncology, promoted high-quality patient care, or improved the lives of patients with cancer.

• May also qualify through outstanding leadership, vision, and commitment that have significantly advanced the missions of ASCO or Conquer Cancer.

• Must not be a current or recent (within two years) member of the ASCO Board of Directors or an Elected Officer.

• Members of the Joint Special Awards Selection Committee are not eligible during their term.

Funding Details:

• The award includes a USD 5,000 honorarium, a commemorative plaque, and support to attend the ASCO Annual Meeting.

• The recipient is recognized during the ASCO Annual Meeting and featured across ASCO communication channels.

Deadline:

• Nominations close July 1, 2026.

Where to go for further information:

• Nominate someone on the website.

4. The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) Operating Grant

The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society of Canada (LLSC) invites proposals from Canadian researchers for its Operating Grant Program, a two-year funding opportunity supporting innovative projects that advance the understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of blood cancers. The program aims to fuel transformative research that can lead to significant clinical or scientific breakthroughs.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to Canadian blood cancer researchers affiliated with recognized academic or research institutions.

• Projects must focus on leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or related hematologic malignancies.

• Applicants must demonstrate the project’s scientific merit, feasibility, and potential impact on patient outcomes.

• Collaborative and multicentre projects are encouraged, particularly those addressing novel therapeutic or diagnostic strategies.

Funding Details:

• Funding amount: Up to CAD 100,000 per year for two years (maximum total: CAD 200,000).

• Funding start date: Fall 2026.

• Partnered funding opportunities include:

  • Cancer Research Society (CRS): Co-funding five Operating Grants on all cancer types.

  • Cell Therapy Transplant Canada (CTTC): Co-funding one multicentre project focused on improving the outcomes, efficacy, and safety of HCT/CT in Canada.

  • Myeloma Canada: Co-funding one Operating Grant focused on myeloma research, particularly accelerating Canadian academic immunotherapy development.

Deadline:

• Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline: December 4, 2025 (4:00 p.m. ET).

• Notification of full application invitation: December 2025.

• Full Application deadline: February 4, 2026 (4:00 p.m. ET).

• Review Panel Meeting: April 2026.

• Notification of Awards: Summer 2026.

• Award Start Date: Fall 2026.

Where to Go For Further Information:

• Program details.

5. Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grants

The Terry Fox New Frontiers Program Project Grants (PPG) support Canada’s top multidisciplinary cancer research teams pursuing transformative, high-impact projects in prevention, diagnosis, and treatment. This long-standing program funds collaborative, innovative, and high-risk/high-reward research designed to advance understanding of cancer biology and accelerate breakthroughs that improve patient outcomes.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Open to Canadian research teams consisting of at least three independent investigators.

• Teams must pursue a unified cancer research theme that integrates basic, translational, and/or clinical research.

• Projects may include one or more shared core technology platforms to support program goals.

• Applications must demonstrate a strong collaborative structure, scientific excellence, and relevance to cancer prevention, detection, or treatment.

• Both new and renewal program project applications are eligible:

• • New applications: New thematic area of cancer research.

  • Renewing applications: Continuation of an existing thematic area with at least three continuing investigators.

Funding Details:

• New Applications:

  • Duration: 3–5 years (starting July 1, 2026).

  • Maximum total budget: up to CAD 3,000,000.

• Renewing Applications:

  • Duration: 5–7 years (starting July 1, 2026).

  • Maximum total budget: up to CAD 9,000,000.

• Funding supports:

  • Individual research projects and shared technology cores.

  • Innovative, multidisciplinary collaboration and training environments.

  • Projects emphasizing high-risk/high-reward strategies and transformative impact.

Deadline:

• Full Application Due: November 17, 2025 (5:00 p.m. PT).

• Site Visits: March–April 2026.

• Funding Start: July 1, 2026.

Where to Go For Further Information:

• Program details.

6. Canadian Association of Medical Oncologists (CAMO) Fellowship

CAMO will fund one-year research fellowships to strengthen Canada’s capacity in medical oncology research and training. Awards support solid-tumour projects across basic, translational, clinical, epidemiology, educational research, population health, and health outcomes domains. Two additional priority fellowships are offered in lung/neuroendocrine cancers and in less-researched breast cancer subtypes.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Canadian citizen or landed immigrant.

• MD and FRCPC in Internal Medicine.

• In final year of a Royal College–certified Medical Oncology training program in Canada; CAMO will also consider first-year fellows seeking up to one additional year.

• Associate member of CAMO (membership free).

• Research must be in solid tumour malignancies.

• Supervisor membership requirement: at least one named supervisor must be an active CAMO member in good standing (applications without this are ineligible).

• Projects may be conducted within or outside Canada.

Funding Details:

• Total per fellowship: up to $80,000 for 1 year.

• Stipend: up to $75,000.

• Research allowance: $5,000.

• Selection prioritizes scientific merit, feasibility, originality, translatability to patient care and outcomes, and project quality irrespective of host location.

• Two specific awards in addition to the general CAMO fellowship:

  • Boehringer Ingelheim Canada Ltd/CAMO Fellowship in Lung Cancer and Neuroendocrine Cancers.

  • K. Jill Rigby Foundation/CAMO Fellowship for less-researched breast cancer subtypes (e.g., triple negative, lobular, ER-negative HER2-low, histiocytic, other rare histologies).

Deadline:

• November 21, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

• Confirmation of receipt sent within 3 business days.

• Funding decision by December 23, 2025.

• Announcement to CAMO membership in early 2026.

Where to Go For Further Information:

• Program details.
• Send completed applications by email to [email protected].

7. Breast Cancer Canada Research Grant Competition – Lobular Carcinoma

Breast Cancer Canada is inviting applications for its 2026 Research Grant Competition, offering a total of 250,000 CAD to advance precision oncology in Lobular Carcinoma. This national initiative supports cutting-edge, Canadian-led projects focused on improving diagnostics and targeted treatments through innovation in AI-driven research, precision medicine, and patient-centered collaboration.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must be Canadian researchers or research teams affiliated with an eligible Canadian academic, medical, or research institution.

• Projects must focus on Lobular Carcinoma and align with one or more of the following areas:
  • Precision diagnostics (screening, detection, or follow-up).
  • Targeted treatment (surgery, medicine, or radiation).

• Applications must include an active patient partner—preferably a breast cancer survivor or advocate diagnosed with Lobular Carcinoma.

• Projects should demonstrate scientific rigor, feasibility, and measurable impact on breast cancer outcomes.

Funding Details:

• Total available funding: 250,000 CAD.

• Grant tiers:

  • Category 1: 75,000 CAD (3 × 25,000 CAD annually).

  • Category 2: 50,000 CAD (2 × 25,000 CAD annually).

• Funding duration: 2–3 years, depending on the chosen category.

• Eligible expenses include personnel, research materials, data analysis tools, and patient engagement activities.

Deadline:

• Letter of Intent (LOI) due: December 12, 2025 (5 PM PT).

• Letters of Invitation issued: December 19, 2025.

• Full proposal (NOI) due: February 13, 2026 (5 PM PT).

• Notice of decision: April 17, 2026.

• Grant announcement: May 2026 (ASCO Congress, date TBC).

• Funding start date: June 30, 2026.

Where to Go For Further Information:

• Email [email protected] to submit your Letter of Intent (LOI).
• Program details.

8. EONS-ESO Clinical Training Centres Fellowship

The European Oncology Nursing Society (EONS), in collaboration with the European School of Oncology (ESO), invites applications for the 2026 EONS-ESO Clinical Fellowship for Cancer Nurses. This prestigious one-month fellowship provides oncology nurses with hands-on clinical experience at leading European cancer centres. Fellows gain exposure to multidisciplinary cancer care practices, enhancing their knowledge, clinical skills, and ability to implement best practices in their home institutions.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Applicants must be registered nurses with demonstrable experience and interest in cancer nursing.

• Candidates should show strong motivation to advance their clinical expertise and contribute to improving oncology care in their home country.

• English language proficiency is required to communicate effectively in an international setting.

• Applicants must be eligible to travel within Europe during the fellowship period.

Funding Details:

• Duration: 1 month.

• Grant: EUR 2,500 (gross).

• Accommodation: Not provided – fellows must arrange their own housing.

• Fellows will:

  • Integrate into the multidisciplinary cancer care team at the host centre.

  • Observe diverse oncology services, including wards, clinics, palliative care, and treatment units.

  • Receive structured mentorship and supervision throughout the fellowship.

  • Customize their training to specific disease areas or specialties offered by the host institution.

Deadline:

• Application deadline: 17 November 2025.

• Selection process: 15–29 November 2025.

• Notification of results: 30 November 2025.

Where to Go For Further Information:

• Program details.

9. Rural Oncology Trials Accelerator Award

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) invites applications for the Rural Oncology Trials Accelerator Award (ROTAA). This program provides seed funding to establish or enhance clinical trial capacity in rural and underserved Texas communities. It supports infrastructure, staffing, and operational resources to make eligible healthcare institutions “trial ready” and able to participate in industry or cooperative group-sponsored oncology clinical trials.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicant must be a Texas-based public or not-for-profit institution, healthcare system, community hospital, critical access hospital, federally qualified health center, or safety-net provider in a rural or medically underserved area.

• Private or for-profit companies are not eligible.

• Sites without current or with minimal clinical trial activity are encouraged to apply.

• Must demonstrate access to ≥250 new cancer patients annually and institutional support.

• Principal Investigator must:

  • Hold an MD, DO, or equivalent medical degree.

  • Be licensed and reside full-time in Texas during the award period.

  • Commit at least 5% effort to the project.

• Multi-Principal Investigators are not allowed.

• The institution must match 50% of CPRIT’s funding commitment as per Texas law.

• Only one application per institution is allowed.

Funding Details:

• Maximum award: 300,000 USD per year for up to 3 years (900,000 USD total).

• Funds may be used for:

  • Salary support for research coordinators and regulatory managers.

  • Research supplies and equipment (e.g., -70°C freezers).

  • EMR system integration and web-based clinical trials management systems.

  • Training and partnerships with Site Management Organizations (SMOs).

• Funds cannot be used for PI salary, construction, or renovation.

• Indirect costs are capped at 5% of total award.

Deadline:

• RFA release: August 5, 2025.

• Application opens: September 9, 2025 (7 AM CT).

• Application deadline: December 2, 2025 (4 PM CT).

• Review: March 2026.

• Award notification: May 2026.

• Anticipated start date: June 1, 2026.

Where to Go For Further Information:

• Program details.

10. American Lung Association Lung Cancer Discovery Award

The American Lung Association Lung Cancer Discovery Award supports highly meritorious research projects with the potential to significantly improve diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for lung cancer. The award seeks to drive innovation in prevention, screening, biology, and treatment of lung cancer, particularly focusing on areas such as genetic subtypes, never-smoker disease, and novel clinical approaches.

Eligibility Criteria

• Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, DO, DSc, or equivalent).

• Must have completed a training fellowship and hold a full-time faculty or professional appointment at an academic or research institution.

• Must be an independent, self-directed researcher with institutional support for space and resources.

• The host institution must be a U.S.-based, nonprofit academic or research organization.

• Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States.

• Only one American Lung Association grant application or LOI may be submitted per annual cycle.

• Applicants may receive this award only once.

Funding Details:

• Amount: 100,000 USD per year (up to 200,000 USD total).

• Duration: 2 years (July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028).

• Up to 75% of the total budget may be used for salary and fringe benefits.

• Up to 30% may be used for permanent equipment purchases.

• Indirect costs are not allowed.

• Research must focus on innovative approaches that advance understanding and treatment of lung cancer, including EGFR-driven and other genetic forms.

Deadline:

• Full application deadline: 1 December 2025 (11:59 PM ET).

Where to Go For Further Information:

• Program details.

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