This week’s set of ten active oncology grants focuses on one thing: converting skill, data, and infrastructure into measurable gains for patients. The portfolio spans early-career research acceleration, clinician–scientist development, implementation awards that pressure-test ideas in real clinical environments, and public-health programs that strengthen systems where they’re weakest.
Expect opportunities covering precision diagnostics, treatment-modality training, computational oncology, immunotherapy platform development, and radiation and surgical innovation. You’ll also see funding targeting pediatric oncology expansion, palliative and survivorship programs, regional capacity building, and short, high-impact exchanges that transfer methods and technology across borders.
Every program demands clear hypotheses, disciplined methodology, and cross-disciplinary execution—biostatistics, regulatory alignment, data management, and quality improvement baked in. Whether you’re validating a new assay, scaling a clinical workflow, or building oncology services in constrained settings, there’s an award here built to move your work from concept to operational reality.
These grants reflect continued global investment in talent and equitable access to innovation. Review deadlines, secure collaborators who can actually strengthen your application, and tighten your budgets and protocols. If you commit to clarity and rigor, one of this week’s OncoGrants can give your project the push it needs to matter.
1. AACR-Mark Foundation Chemistry in Cancer Research Grants
The AACR-Mark Foundation Chemistry in Cancer Research Grants provide significant funding (USD 435,000over 3 years) to support independent investigators using chemical science approaches to solve important problems in cancer research . Sponsored by The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, these grants aim to stimulate cross-disciplinary work at the interface of chemistry and oncology – including areas like drug discovery, chemical biology, molecular imaging, and innovative diagnostics. The program empowers researchers to exploit chemical techniques or design new molecules to advance cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must hold an independent research position at an academic, medical, or nonprofit research institution anywhere in the world . This generally means an Assistant Professor (tenure-track or equivalent) or higher rank.
- Investigators who have recently established their labs are strongly encouraged, but more senior scientists can also apply if the project represents a new direction in chemical-cancer science.
- Candidates must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) and not be in training positions . They should be capable of leading a research team and supervising the project.
- Research proposals must clearly incorporate a chemistry-based approach to a cancer problem. This could involve medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, synthesis of novel compounds, probes for cancer biology, etc. Collaborative projects between chemists and cancer biologists are welcome (though the application should be submitted by one principal investigator).
- AACR membership: Required by the LOI deadline (Dec 16, 2025). Nonmembers must join AACR to be eligible . No citizenship restrictions apply.
Funding Details:
- Grant Amount: USD 435,000 over 36 months (approx. $145,000 per year).
- Supports direct research costs such as personnel salaries, laboratory reagents and supplies, small equipment, and possibly shared resource fees. Up to 10% indirect costs are permitted as per AACR policies.
- The grant term will begin September 1, 2026 and end August 31, 2029. Continuation of funding each year is contingent upon satisfactory progress.
- Recipients become part of AACR’s Chemistry in Cancer Research Working Group community, with opportunities to network and present at AACR conferences. The Mark Foundation may also engage with awardees for progress updates or partnership on future initiatives.
Deadline:
- Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline: December 16, 2025 at 1:00 PM (ET) . A concise LOI outlining the research hypothesis, approach, and significance is required.
- LOI Decision: March 2026 – selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals .
- Full Application Deadline: (Expected April–May 2026, date to be specified in invitation).
- Awardees announced by July 2026 (grant agreements executed for a Sept 1, 2026 start).
Where to go for further information:
4. AACR Maximizing Opportunity for New Advancements in Research in Cancer (MONARCA) Grant for Latin America
The AACR MONARCA Grant for Latin America supports early-career independent investigators across Latin America working in any area of cancer research. It is explicitly designed to help build and retain a cadre of local cancer researchers with the skills and data needed to compete for larger grants. The award provides flexible, two-year project funding for laboratory, translational, clinical, or population-based cancer research.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Early-career independent investigator (e.g., within 7 years of terminal degree) at a non-profit academic or research institution in Latin America
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Citizen of, and currently residing and working in, a Latin American country
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Project in any area of cancer research (basic, translational, clinical, epidemiologic, implementation, or survivorship)
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Able to commit substantial research effort to the funded project
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AACR member in good standing (or membership application submitted by the deadline)
Funding Details:
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Total award: 55,000 USD
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Grant term: 2 years
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Funds may support salary for the PI and staff, supplies, assays, local data collection, and limited travel related to the project
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No or tightly restricted indirect costs, according to AACR policy
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Emphasis on feasibility, local capacity building, and longer-term sustainability of the investigator’s research program
Deadline:
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Letter of intent deadline (2026 cycle): January 22, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
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Full application deadline (by invitation): May 14, 2026, 6:00 PM UTC
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Decision date: July 2026
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Start of grant term: September 1, 2026
Where to go for further information:
3. American Cancer Society Catalyst Awards
The ACS Catalyst Awards provide one-year bridge funding for early-stage investigators whose recent ACS Research Scholar Grant or NCI R01 applications were highly rated but went unfunded. The intent is to keep promising cancer research projects and investigators alive long enough to secure major follow-on funding. Awards are relatively lean and focused, designed to support key experiments and staff continuity rather than large-scale programs.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Independent investigator meeting ACS Research Scholar Grant eligibility (typically within 10 years of first independent faculty appointment)
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Recently submitted an ACS Research Scholar Grant or NCI R01 in 2024–2025 that was scored highly (e.g., “Outstanding” at ACS or ≤15th percentile at NCI) but not funded
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Principal investigator on no more than one active R01/R01-equivalent award at the time of deadline
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Project for Catalyst support must fall within the scope of the previously submitted, unfunded application
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Institution must be a US-based, eligible non-profit research organization or academic medical center
Funding Details:
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Total award: 150,000 USD in direct costs
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Grant term: 1 year; no indirect costs allowed
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Funds may support personnel, critical experiments, assays, and other direct research expenses required to strengthen a re-submission
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Designed explicitly as a catalytic, one-time mechanism rather than long-term lab support
Deadline:
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Next announced cycle deadline: January 5, 2026 (ACS central deadline; same date each year going forward unless updated)
Where to go for further information:
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ACS RFA page – American Cancer Society Catalyst Awards.
4. Cancer Research Institute Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship
The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship supports promising young scientists worldwide in cancer immunology. Fellows receive dedicated mentorship and funding to pursue innovative basic, translational, or clinical cancer research projects, accelerating discoveries in immune-based therapiesaacr.org. This prestigious fellowship develops the next generation of immunotherapy leaders by providing both financial support and professional development opportunities.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Open to early-career researchers (holding a PhD, MD, or equivalent) in any country, conducting immuno-oncology research under a sponsor’s mentorship
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Applicant must have less than 5 years of postdoctoral training at the time of application
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Sponsor must be an established immunology or cancer researcher at a nonprofit institution
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No citizenship restrictions; research may be carried out at any accredited academic or research center worldwide
Funding Details:
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Award: USD 175,500 total over 3 years (USD 59,000, USD 61,000, USD 63,000 annually)
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Allowance: USD 1,500 per year for research supplies or travel
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Benefits: Potential opportunity for loan repayment for physician-scientists
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Start of fellowship: July 1, 2026 (for the current cycle)
Deadline:
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Application deadline: March 16, 2026 (full proposal)
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Notification: May 2026 (funding decisions announced)
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Fellowship term: Begins July 1, 2026, for a three-year period
Where to go for further information:
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Program details and application: CRI Irvington Fellowship page.
5. ALSF Pediatric Oncology Student Training (POST) Program
The Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation POST Program provides short-term research fellowships for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students to gain experience in pediatric oncology research. This grant supports a full-time summer research project in a pediatric cancer laboratory, aiming to inspire the next generation of pediatric oncologists and researchers. Students work under the guidance of a mentor to develop research skills and contribute to studies that advance understanding of childhood cancers.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Open to students (undergraduate, graduate, or medical students) with an interest in pediatric oncology research
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Applicant must identify a mentor with an ongoing project in pediatric cancer at an academic or medical institution
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Both U.S. and international students may apply, but the research must be conducted at a nonprofit institution (domestic or abroad)
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Commitment to a full-time research experience (typically 8–10 weeks during summer) and submission of a final report or poster
Funding Details:
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Stipend: USD 5,000 for the student’s summer research participation (12-week period)
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Research allowance: An additional USD 2,000 for the host lab to cover project supplies (if applicable)
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Number of awards: Multiple fellowships available annually (contingent on available funding)
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Use of funds: Supports living expenses for the student and direct research costs; funds are granted to the mentor’s institution on the student’s behalf
Deadline:
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Application due: February 17, 2026, by 8:00 PM ET (for Summer 2026 fellowship placement)
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Award notification: April 2026 (so students can plan their summer)
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Research period: Summer 2026 (flexible start, typically May–September)
Where to go for further information:
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Program details and application: ALSF POST Grant page.
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Apply via ProposalCentral: Search “ALSF POST Program”
6. ASH Treating Fairly Research Award
The American Society of Hematology’s Treating Fairly Research Award provides dedicated funding to address health disparities and inequities in hematologic cancers and blood disordersoncodaily.comoncodaily.com. This award supports early- to mid-career investigators in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico who are pursuing research that will improve outcomes in underrepresented or underserved patient populations. Projects may focus on diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, myeloma, or other blood cancers with outcome gaps, and can range from basic science of health disparities to clinical or community interventions aimed at closing those gaps.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to ASH members who are MD, DO, or PhD investigators with faculty appointments in the U.S., Canada, or Mexico.
- Applicants should be within 15 years of their terminal degree/medical fellowship training (early-career and mid-career scientists).
- Must propose a research project that directly relates to health equity in hematology-oncology – e.g., investigating biological differences in minority populations, developing tailored therapies or outreach for disadvantaged groups, or evaluating interventions to reduce treatment access barriers.
- The Principal Investigator must devote substantial research effort (≥20% time) to the project. Only one submission per applicant is allowed.
- Note: Candidates for this award cannot simultaneously hold certain overlapping ASH awards (e.g., ASH-AMFDP) or the standard ASH Scholar Award in the same cycle.
Funding Details:
- Award amount: USD 200,000 total, which can be used over 1, 2, or 3 years at the investigator’s discretion.
- Funds may cover salary support (for the PI, trainees, or research staff), laboratory supplies, patient engagement costs, or other research expenses directly related to the project.
- No more than two awards will be granted to investigators at the same institution in this cycle, to maintain broad institutional diversity.
- Indirect costs: Not allowed – the full award must be applied to direct project costs.
- Awardees will have access to mentorship and networking through ASH’s health equity initiatives and are expected to share results (e.g., at the ASH annual meeting or via publications).
Deadline:
- Application deadline: December 17, 2025 (11:59 PM ET)oncodaily.com for the current award cycle
- Award notification: March 2026 (recipients will be notified prior to the ASH Annual Meeting).
- Award start date: Upon notification in spring 2026 – funding can be activated immediately to start the project, with the award term spanning up to three years from initiation.
Where to go for further information:
7. Pancreatic Cancer Action Network Research Recovery Grant
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) Research Recovery Grant provides one-year bridge funding (up to USD 125,000) to sustain high-potential pancreatic cancer projects facing gaps due to federal funding delays or cuts. This grant aims to preserve vital research momentum in early detection, novel treatments, and other critical areas of pancreatic cancer science that have already demonstrated merit in NIH or DoD review but lost expected support.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Principal Investigators of pancreatic cancer projects with meritorious scores from NIH or DoD CDMRP review, who have recently experienced unanticipated funding termination or delay.
- Projects must have direct relevance to pancreatic cancer and may span basic, translational, clinical, or epidemiological research.
- Open to researchers globally (no citizenship restrictions specified).
Funding Details:
- Amount: Up to USD 125,000 for 1 year.
- Use of Funds: Supports personnel, laboratory expenses, and other research costs to keep the project active; designed as bridge funding (not renewable).
- Funded projects join PanCAN’s Community for Progress mentorship and career development network.
Deadline:
- Application Deadline: January 9, 2026 (midnight EST).
- Funding decisions by March 2026; grant term begins April 2026.
Where to go for further information:
8. AACR-Torrey Coast Foundation Transpacific Gastric and Esophageal Cancer Research Partnership Grant
The AACR–Torrey Coast Foundation Transpacific Gastric and Esophageal Cancer Research Partnership Grant supports a multi-institutional team of investigators in the United States and Asia to collaborate on innovative research in upper gastrointestinal cancer. With gastric and esophageal cancers causing over a million deaths worldwide annually, this two-year grant aims to advance translational science—targeting metastasis, treatment resistance, novel therapeutic targets, and immunotherapy approaches—and accelerate progress toward improved patient outcomes. Proposals must demonstrate a clear path to clinical application and foster new cross-continental partnerships to catalyze high-impact discoveries.
Eligibility Criteria:
- A team science approach is required: at least one Principal Investigator based at a U.S. institution and one co-PI at an institution in Asia.
- Applicants (PIs and co-PIs) must hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) and be affiliated with an academic, medical, or research institution in the U.S. and Asia. Investigators at all career stages are invited, including those new to upper GI cancer research.
- No citizenship restrictions; non-resident applicants must ensure appropriate visa status for project duration.
- AACR membership (Active member status) is required for the Lead PI and co-PI (or application for membership by deadline).
Funding Details:
- Award: USD 400,000 total for a 2-year project.
- Provides for direct research costs (including limited indirect costs) across the collaborating institutions. Funds can support personnel, supplies, and other research expenses necessary for the joint project.
- Collaborative structure: Funding is intended to be shared between U.S. and Asian partner labs, with the Lead PI managing disbursement and progress reporting across sites.
Deadline:
- Application Deadline: January 15, 2026 at 1:00 PM (ET).
- Award decision by April 2026aacr.org; grant term starts July 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
9. AACR Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Fellowship
The AACR Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Fellowship is a two-year fellowship to cultivate the next generation of lung cancer researchers. This program provides promising early-career scientists with USD 130,000 in support to undertake mentored research projects directly relevant to non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The fellowship, administered by the American Association for Cancer Research, encourages innovative basic, translational, clinical, or population science research that can advance the understanding and treatment of NSCLC while helping the fellow establish a pathway to independence in the field.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in a related field and must not be pursuing another doctoral degree.
- Must hold a mentored research position (e.g. postdoctoral fellow, clinical research fellow) at the start of the grant term (August 1, 2026). Candidates should have completed their most recent doctoral degree or medical residency within the past 5 years (on or after August 1, 2021).
- Must work under the guidance of a qualified mentor at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world. No geographic/citizenship restrictions (visa must allow project completion at host institution).
- AACR membership is required (Associate membership available for early-career researchers; nonmembers must apply by the LOI deadline).
Funding Details:
- Award: USD 130,000 total, disbursed over 2 years.
- Stipends are typically USD 65,000 per year, covering salary, benefits, and research expenses of the fellow’s project (Funding cannot be used for indirect costs or clinical trial expenses.)
- Year 2 funding is contingent upon satisfactory progress in Year 1. Fellows receive structured mentorship and may be invited to AACR professional development events.
Deadline:
- Letter of Intent Deadline: January 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM (ET).
- Full Application Deadline (by invitation): May 7, 2026 at 1:00 PM (ET).
- Award notification by June 2026; fellowship term begins August 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
10. CRUK Career Development Fellowship
The Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Career Development Fellowship is a prestigious award that provides up to £1.5 million (approximately USD 1.8 million) over 6 years to support outstanding early-career scientists in establishing their first independent research group. This fellowship is designed to accelerate the transition of postdoctoral researchers to independent investigators, enabling them to initiate a cutting-edge cancer research program in a UK institution. It offers a generous duration and funding level to allow new group leaders the time and resources to make significant discoveries in cancer biology, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to researchers of any nationality, provided they will be based at a UK university, hospital or research institute for the fellowship’s duration. Candidates must secure an eligible UK host institution that can provide laboratory space, resources, and a supportive environment for an independent group.
- Applicants should be scientists who do not yet hold a tenure-track or salaried independent faculty position (typically final-stage postdoctoral researchers or junior fellows). They should demonstrate an excellent track record and the potential to become leaders in their field.
- The fellowship is generally aimed at those with approximately 3–8 years of postdoctoral experience. Candidates must show readiness to lead a research team and propose an innovative project aligned with CRUK’s research strategy.
- The host institution must commit to supporting the fellow as a new group leader (e.g. laboratory space, access to core facilities, mentorship). A letter of support from the head of department is required, confirming an academic appointment and institutional backing for the applicant’s independence.
Funding Details:
- Funding: Typically up to £1.5 million (GBP) over 6 years. This can cover the fellow’s salary, salaries for key research staff (e.g. postdocs, PhD students, technicians), research consumables, small equipment, and travel.
- Flexible budget: Applicants can request appropriate resources for their project needs; CRUK will review for justification. The award is intended to be comprehensive, enabling the fellow to establish a robust research program.
- Additional Support: Fellows gain access to CRUK’s network of researchers and career development opportunities. The award is one of CRUK’s flagship funding schemes, reflecting a significant investment in the awardee’s long-term success.
Deadline:
- Full Application Deadline: February 19, 2026. (Note: An outline or expression of interest stage may precede the full application; candidates are encouraged to contact CRUK for guidance before applying).
- Funding decisions are made in 2026 following peer review, and fellowships would typically commence later in 2026 upon final award confirmation.
Where to go for further information: