This week’s grants skew strongly toward early exposure and sustained training, with most opportunities centered on summer programs, fellowships, and internships that place students and trainees directly into cancer research environments. Undergraduate, medical, and early-career pathways dominate the list, reflecting continued investment in hands-on entry points to oncology, from lab-based projects to clinical shadowing and applied research experiences.
Alongside these training-focused programs are patient- and care-oriented funding calls that prioritize real-world relevance. These include support for clinical trials, quality-of-life interventions, and research addressing gaps in access, equity, and outcomes, often with explicit expectations for patient involvement and measurable impact beyond academic publication.
The remainder of the list highlights targeted, high-impact research funding, particularly for innovative clinical studies and prevention-oriented work. Rather than broad discovery science, these opportunities favor defined interventions, translational relevance, and scalability, signaling a continued shift toward research that can move efficiently from concept to practice.
1. Leah Menshouse Springer Summer Internship
The Leah Menshouse Springer Summer Opportunities Program is a 10‑week, full‑time paid summer cancer research program at Siteman Cancer Center (Washington University in St. Louis). It places undergraduate, graduate, and medical students into mentored cancer research projects (basic, clinical, prevention/control, or population science) plus weekly seminars and facility tours.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Current undergraduate, graduate, or medical student (no high‑school students).
- Must be pursuing or intending to pursue an MD, PhD, DO, PharmD, or related doctoral‑level training in a cancer‑relevant field.
- Citizenship/visa: U.S. citizen, U.S. permanent resident, F‑1 visa through Washington University (or OPT on F‑1), or DACA; H‑1B, J‑1, and TN are not eligible.
- All majors and prior experience levels considered; prior lab experience is not required.
Funding Details:
- Duration: ~10 weeks, May 26 – July 31, 2026.
- Time: ~40 hours/week in an assigned cancer research group.
- Stipend: USD 7,000 total, paid in two installments (end of June and end of July).
- Housing: On‑campus housing available at summer rates (student pays); travel and housing costs are the responsibility of the participant.
Deadline:
- January 16, 2026, 5:00 pm CST (applications for the 2026 cohort are explicitly “now open”).
Where to go for further information:
2. Ruth Strauss Foundation Non-smoking Lung Cancer Grants Programme
The Ruth Strauss Foundation Non‑smoking Lung Cancer Grants Programme funds research focused on lung cancer in never‑smokers, supporting projects that aim to advance understanding, detection, or care for this population. The program supports research based in the UK.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Lead applicant must be based in the UK.
- Lead applicant must be affiliated with an eligible UK organization (e.g., university, NHS hospital, hospice, or research institution).
- Teams may include up to two co‑applicants (per call rules).
Funding Details:
- Total funding available (annual pot): GBP 100,000.
- Maximum per grant: GBP 50,000.
- Duration: 24 months (maximum).
- Travel/conference costs: up to GBP 1,500 per year (per call guidance).
Deadline:
- January 10, 2026 (17:00)
Where to go for further information:
3. Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center CURE Summer-Only Program
The Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) Summer‑Only Program is a full‑time, paid 7–11 week summer cancer research internship with mentored projects and structured training. The program targets students in Massachusetts who can commute to Boston for a weekday, in‑person research experience.
Eligibility Criteria:
- High school sophomore, junior, or senior OR college freshman, sophomore, or junior.
- Must be 16 years old at the start of the program.
- Must reside in and/or attend school in Massachusetts and be able to travel to Boston (Longwood Medical Area) five days/week during the summer.
Funding Details:
- Duration: 7–11 weeks (full‑time).
- Paid internship with summer stipends (stipend amount is not specified on the program overview page).
Deadline:
- February 6, 2026
Where to go for further information:
4. Rising Tide Foundation – Clinical Cancer Research Grants
The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) funds innovative patient-centered clinical trials worldwide. The foundation supports high-impact studies (Phase I–III trials and related translational research) that address critical unmet needs in cancer treatment, prevention, or care delivery. Proposals should emphasize patient benefit, such as trials testing novel therapies, precision medicine approaches, or interventions to improve quality of life and health equity in cancer care. Rising Tide particularly encourages projects that might be too early-stage or outside-the-box for traditional funders.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applications must come from a non-profit academic institution or hospital (principal investigator as the lead) anywhere in the world. For-profit companies can collaborate but cannot be the lead applicant.
- Focus on interventional clinical research: Phase I, II, or III trials of drugs, devices, or clinical strategies. (Exception: Early detection projects may include late-preclinical work if ultimately leading to a trial).
- Patient involvement is key – e.g., inclusion of patient advocates in study design is strongly recommended. Basic science or epidemiologic studies without an intervention are not funded.
Funding Details:
- Grant Size: Not fixed; funding is tailored to project needs. RTFCCR has funded awards from ~$200,000 up to multi-million-dollar grants for large trials (totaling ≈CHF 10–20 million across all grants per year).
- Duration: Typically 2–4 years, depending on the trial.
- Coverage: Direct trial costs (e.g., patient enrollment costs, research nurse/data management support, specialized assays).
- No indirect costs/overhead are provided.
- Projects undergo rigorous external peer review and a strategic portfolio fit assessment. Payment is milestone-based, with continued support contingent on meeting trial milestones and Board approval.
Deadline:
- Letters of Intent (LOI) Deadline: March 9, 2026 (upcoming spring 2026 cycle). Additional LOI deadlines in 2026: June 22, 2026 and November 23, 2026.
- LOIs are reviewed on a rolling basis. Selected LOIs are invited to submit full proposals (~6–8 weeks after LOI). Final funding decisions are made at RTFCCR Board meetings held three times a year.
Where to go for further information:
5. GW‑SPARC: Summer Program Advancing Research on Cancer
GW‑SPARC is a summer cancer research program hosted by the GW Cancer Center, designed to provide students with mentored exposure to cancer research and professional development. The program is structured as a summer research experience aligned with oncology research training goals.
Eligibility Criteria:
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U.S. citizenship or permanent residency (per program listing).
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Typically for rising juniors or seniors with a minimum 3.3 GPA (per program listing).
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See program page for any additional requirements (e.g., major, coursework, availability).
Funding Details:
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Summer research program opportunity (see program page for any stipend/support details, if applicable).
Deadline:
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February 1, 2026
Where to go for further information:
6. Columbia Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics Undergraduate Summer Research Program
Columbia’s Irving Institute for Cancer Dynamics Summer Research Program (SRP) offers an intensive summer research experience for undergraduates interested in cancer research training. Participants complete mentored research and gain exposure to academic research environments aligned with oncology science.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Undergraduate applicants (see official page for full eligibility requirements).
Funding Details:
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Summer research program (see program page for stipend/support details, if offered).
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Program dates: May 26, 2026 – July 31, 2026
Deadline:
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February 1, 2026 (11:59 pm EST)
Where to go for further information:
7. ASCO Clinical Oncology Research Experience (CORE) for Medical Students
The ASCO CORE Program offers U.S. medical students a funded summer clinical/research experience in oncology. Participants complete a 4-week rotation at a cancer center, shadowing oncology care across disciplines and engaging in a small research or quality improvement project. The program includes an orientation at the ASCO Annual Meeting, weekly virtual learning modules on cancer basics, and mentorship from oncologists. The goal is to inspire the next generation of oncologists by providing early, hands-on exposure to cancer medicine.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Medical students (MD or DO program) in the U.S. – any year of training – in good academic standing.
- Must be an ASCO member (student membership is free) and able to commit to all program components (orientation, 4-week rotation, virtual sessions).
- Demonstrated interest in oncology or research is a plus (though prior experience in oncology is not required). Students from underrepresented backgrounds in medicine are encouraged to apply.
Funding Details:
- Stipend: $6,500 per student for the program. This stipend covers the 4-week rotation and travel/lodging for the ASCO Annual Meeting orientation.
- ASCO covers Annual Meeting registration and hosts special networking events for CORE students.
Deadline:
- Application Deadline: January 12, 2026 (11:59 PM EST).
- Notifications are made in March 2026, as program activities begin with the Annual Meeting (late May 2026).
Where to go for further information:
8. ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship
ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship
The ASTRO Medical Student Fellowship (MSF) Award introduces medical students to radiation oncology through an 8-week summer research experience. Awardees conduct a project under a radiation oncologist’s mentorship, gaining exposure to the clinic (e.g., observing treatments and multidisciplinary tumor boards) and research in areas like radiobiology, physics, or clinical trials. The program also includes networking and a virtual curriculum, aiming to foster early interest in radiation oncology careers.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students enrolled in an allopathic or osteopathic medical school (any year, though first- or second-year studentsare preferred).
- Must secure a mentor who is an ASTRO member and faculty in radiation oncology at the host institution. The project can be in basic, translational, or clinical research related to radiation therapy.
- ASTRO membership is required for students (membership is free for medical students), and recipients are expected to consider radiation oncology residency.
Funding Details:
- Award Package: $6,000 total per student. This includes: a $4,000 stipend for the 8-week project, $1,000 after completion and final report, and $1,000 for travel to the ASTRO Annual Meeting in the following year.
- Mentor Support: The student’s mentor receives a $2,000 honorarium (ASTRO-BCRF Mentor Award) to support their involvement.
- Awardees are also invited to ASTRO’s Annual Meeting and may be asked to present their research (complimentary registration provided).
Deadline:
- Application Deadline: February 12, 2026 (for summer 2026 fellowships).
- Awardees notified by April 2026. The research period is typically June–August 2026, with final reports due in late 2026.
Where to go for further information:
9. Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation Pediatric Oncology Student Training (POST) Program
The ALSF POST Program provides funded summer research internships in pediatric oncology labs for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students. The program’s aim is to cultivate the next generation of pediatric cancer researchers by offering an enriching, hands-on experience. Under the guidance of a pediatric oncology mentor, students work on a defined research project – ranging from lab experiments to clinical data analysis – and learn about the process of pediatric cancer research and patient care. Many POST Program alumni go on to pursue medical or doctoral training in oncology.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Students in good standing at accredited institutions: this includes advanced undergraduates (typically juniors/seniors), graduate students (Master’s or PhD track), and medical students interested in oncology research.
- Must secure a commitment from a pediatric oncology researcher (the mentor) who will supervise the project. The mentor applies jointly with the student, detailing the proposed project and learning objectives.
- Expected to commit ~8–10 full-time weeks in the summer of 2026 to the research. Students from institutions lacking pediatric cancer research (or underrepresented in science) are encouraged to apply, as ALSF aims for broad outreach.
Funding Details:
- Student Stipend: Approx. $5,000 for the summer (paid via the mentor’s institution to cover living expenses).
- Research Support: An additional $2,000 is provided to the mentor’s lab to offset project consumable costs (e.g., lab reagents, patient sample processing) and to support the student’s research activities.
- ALSF may also cover travel for the student to present their work at an ALSF Young Investigator Summit or relevant conference, as applicable.
Deadline:
- Application Due: February 17, 2026 (8:00 PM ET).
- Award notifications by late March 2026. Internships are expected to take place roughly between May – September 2026, depending on the student’s academic schedule.
Where to go for further information:
10. ASCO Long-term International Fellowship
The ASCO Long-term International Fellowship (LIFe) enables a young oncologist from a low- or middle-income country to undergo advanced training for 12 months at a top cancer center in North America or Europe . The fellowship focuses on transferring knowledge and skills that the fellow can then implement to improve cancer care in their home country. LIFe Fellows gain extensive exposure in their chosen area (e.g., medical oncology, radiation, surgery, or specific subspecialties like breast oncology), engage in research, and develop long-term mentor relationships. After the fellowship, ASCO and the host mentor continue to guide the fellow’s career and projects back home, fostering sustainable improvements in global oncology.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Physicians (MD or equivalent) under age 40 from a country classified by the World Bank as low, lower-middle, or upper-middle income. Must have completed training in oncology or a related field (e.g., internal medicine plus oncology specialization) and be practicing oncology in their home country.
- Applicants need to identify an ASCO member host mentor at a proposed host institution (ASCO can assist with matching if needed). Home institution support (letter pledging a position upon return) is required, ensuring the fellow will return to practice locally.
- Proficiency in English (or language of host country) is required . The fellow should demonstrate leadership potential and a commitment to improving oncology practice in their region.
Funding Details:
- Award/Stipend: Covers travel and living expenses for 1 year, including round-trip airfare, housing, meals, and health insurance. The exact amount varies by location but is designed to be adequate for a year in the host city (often in the range of US ~$100,000).
- The fellow does not receive a salary from the host institution (the stipend serves that purpose). Any research costs at the host institution are generally covered by the host mentor’s resources.
- ASCO also provides the fellow with complementary ASCO membership for the year, and sponsors attendance at the ASCO Annual Meeting and possibly the International Clinical Trials Workshop.
Deadline:
- Application Deadline: January 29, 2026.
- Selection results are announced by April 2026. The fellowship typically begins in the second half of 2026, with exact timing coordinated between the fellow and host.
Where to go for further information: