National Cancer Institute (NCI) shared on LinkedIn:
“When colleagues ask me what will determine the future of cancer research, my answer is not only technology, funding, or infrastructure – it is also the people.
The next breakthrough in cancer biology, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or survivorship will come from investigators who are asking questions that may not yet fit neatly into established categories. Many of those investigators are early in their careers.
That is why supporting early-stage investigators is not simply workforce development. It is how we sustain discovery.
At NCI, that support takes many forms: fellowships, career development awards, institutional training programs, mentored pathways to independence, and training opportunities both at NCI and at institutions across the country. These programs are designed to help scientists move from potential to independence and from independence to impact.
In addition, NCI sets aside specific grants exclusively for early-stage investigators to ensure our newest researchers have resources to test their innovative ideas. NCI expects to award more early-stage investigator grants in fiscal year 2026 than in fiscal year 2025, returning early-stage investigator funding to its historical baseline levels.
We also need to be honest about the moment. Early-stage investigators are launching labs in a complicated environment. I think about this not only as NCI Director, but as the parent of an early-stage investigator. I see firsthand the uncertainty, institutional pressures, and intense competition for resources. Those realities are not abstract; they shape whether talented people decide to stay in science.
We must also broaden ideas of scientific success. Some investigators will lead academic laboratories. Others will drive progress in biotech, pharma, data science, public health, clinical research, or community-based care. Cancer research needs all of them.
My message to early-stage investigators is this: Your ideas are needed, and NCI’s commitment to you has not wavered.’
– Tony.”
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Anthony Letai was recognized among OncoDaily’s The 100 Most Influential People in Oncology in 2025, highlighting his contributions to the field of oncology.
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