This week, OncoDaily highlights ten major oncology grant and fellowship opportunities driving innovation and equity across cancer research and care. From cutting-edge immunology and transformative technologies to global oncology training and hematology programs focused on underserved communities, these initiatives are setting the stage for impactful breakthroughs.
Spanning translational science, clinical research, and career development, these opportunities aim to empower investigators, expand trial capacity, and accelerate progress from the lab to patients worldwide. Together, they reflect a powerful push to fuel discovery, collaboration, and real-world impact across the oncology community.
1.CRI Clinic and Laboratory Integration Program
A translational grant from the Cancer Research Institute supporting bidirectional research that connects lab discoveries with clinical application in cancer immunology, including co-funded opportunities in chordoma with the Chordoma Foundation.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Faculty appointment as tenure-track assistant professor (or higher) by award activation; if not yet appointed, institutional confirmation must accompany the LOI.
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Research conducted at a non-profit medical school or research center in the United States or abroad.
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No citizenship restrictions.
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Not eligible: research at for-profit institutions.
Funding Details:
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Total: USD 300,000 over 2 years (institution may take up to 10% indirects in addition to the award).
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Competitive extension: additional USD 300,000 over 2 years (apply during Year 2 of the initial award based on exceptional progress).
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Purpose: accelerate clinically relevant immunology (e.g., novel therapeutics, biomarkers, response prediction, resistance mechanisms, improved translational models).
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Special opportunity: CRI–Chordoma Foundation co-funded projects; CF offers available models and banked tumor samples (including a 95-specimen TMA).
Deadline:
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LOI deadline: December 1, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time).
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Invited full proposal deadline: March 2, 2026 (observed, as March 1 falls on a weekend).
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Earliest start date: July 1 (awards activate on the first of the month).
Where to go for further information:
2. CRI Technology Impact Award
Seed funding from the Cancer Research Institute for early-stage, pre-development technologies with the potential to transform cancer immunotherapy. Supports bold, high-risk/high-reward concepts that bridge technology development and clinical cancer immunology.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Applicant holds a tenure-track position at a not-for-profit research center or institution (U.S. or abroad).
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Projects should be led by technology developers collaborating with clinical cancer immunologists (co-PIs encouraged).
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Not intended for incremental improvements or routine application of existing technologies; proposals must feature substantive new instrumentation, devices, platforms, or algorithms.
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Clinical trials are not supported (use of samples from independently funded trials is allowed for technology development).
Funding Details:
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Up to USD 600,000 total over 2–4 years.
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Indirect costs: up to 10% of the total award, provided in addition to awarded funds.
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Example areas include computational systems biology, advanced molecular profiling, real-time in vivo visualization, complex multicellular culture systems, and novel therapeutic technologies.
Deadline:
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LOI Deadline: November 15, 2025 (11:59 p.m. Eastern Time).
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Invited Full Proposal Deadline: March 2, 2026 (observed, as March 1 falls on a weekend).
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Earliest award start date: July 1 (awards activate on the first of the month).
Where to go for further information:
3. Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Global Oncology Fellowship
A 1-year, fully funded fellowship for the 2026/2027 academic year offering training and mentored research in global oncology through a collaboration between the Princess Margaret Cancer Centre Global Cancer Program (GCP) in Toronto and the African Research Group in Oncology (ARGO) in Nigeria.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Medical degree from an accredited institution.
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At least 2 years of postgraduate training in medical oncology, radiation oncology, or surgery in the United States or Canada.
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Experience in research and international partnerships.
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Demonstrated interest in global oncology.
Funding Details:
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Fully funded by the GCP with a salary commensurate with experience.
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Seed grant provided to support the fellow’s research project.
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Fellows are encouraged to seek external funding (e.g., University of Toronto Hold’em for Life Fellowship) to supplement salary and project support.
Deadline:
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Application deadline: October 30, 2025.
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Selected applicants will be invited to a 30-minute virtual interview.
Where to go for further information:
- Program details.
- Questions: [email protected]
4. CRI Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship
A three-year fellowship from the Cancer Research Institute supporting early-career scientists worldwide who are training at the intersection of immunology and data science/computational biology to advance cancer immunotherapy.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Doctoral degree required by award start date.
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Research conducted under a sponsor with assistant professor (or higher) rank at a non-profit host institution (U.S. or abroad); no citizenship restrictions.
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Project must be hypothesis-driven in basic or translational cancer immunology and directly relevant to solving the cancer problem.
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Applicants with ≥5 years of mentored research at activation are ineligible (M.D. residency years excluded from this count).
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Normally ≤3 years spent in the sponsor’s lab by fellowship start; exceptions are rare.
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One applicant per sponsor per round; a sponsor may have no more than three CRI-supported fellows at any time.
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Resubmissions allowed with clear improvements.
Funding Details:
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Duration: 3 years.
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Annual stipend: Year 1 USD 74,000; Year 2 USD 76,000; Year 3 USD 78,000.
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Institutional allowance: USD 5,000 per year for research supplies, conference travel, health insurance, childcare, etc.
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Additional support to attend the CRI Bioinformatics Bootcamp.
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No administrative overhead may be taken from stipend or allowance.
Deadline:
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Upcoming deadlines: March 2, 2026 (observed, as March 1 falls on a weekend), and September 1, 2026.
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Recurring schedule: March 1 and September 1 annually; if on a weekend/holiday, due the next workday by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
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Decisions typically issued ~10–12 weeks after the deadline; awards activate on the first of the month, 4–12 months after the deadline.
Where to go for further information:
5. Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research Grants
The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) funds innovative, patient-centered clinical trials aimed at improving cancer detection, treatment, and quality of life. The program supports global collaborations between academic institutions and non-profit organizations to advance meaningful cancer research.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Applicants must represent an academic institution or not-for-profit organization.
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Projects must be interventional clinical trials (Phase I–III) with active patient partner involvement in study design.
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Studies focused on early detection and intervention in pre-cancerous changes may be considered at the pre-clinical validation stage.
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Basic research, Phase IV trials, and observational studies are not eligible.
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Projects involving immunotherapies should be discussed with RTFCCR prior to application.
Funding Details:
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Funding supports Phase I–III interventional clinical trials that are innovative, patient-centered, and globally relevant.
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Pre-application grants are available for patient partners contributing to project design.
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The final funding decision is made by the Rising Tide Foundation Board of Directors based on scientific merit, innovation, and alignment with strategic priorities.
Deadline:
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Upcoming Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline: November 23, 2025
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Additional LOI deadlines: March 9, 2026; May 29, 2026; November 23, 2026
Where to go for further information:
6. Optimizing Combination Radiation Therapy And Immunotherapy
The Radiation Oncology Institute (ASTRO Foundation) seeks high-impact research to optimize how radiation therapy and immunotherapy are combined to improve patient outcomes and advance access to care.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Qualified individuals in the radiation oncology community; pre-doctoral students are not eligible.
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Residents/fellows require a faculty mentor.
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Grant funds must be managed by a U.S. 501(c)(3) or government-sponsored university (or Canadian equivalent).
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One LOI per applicant.
Funding Details:
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Typical total budget up to USD 50,000 over 2 years; maximum USD 100,000.
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No indirect/overhead costs allowed.
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Project term: up to 2 years (anticipated start August 1, 2026; end no later than July 31, 2028).
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PI salary/benefits capped at the lesser of 20% of the award or USD 10,000 total.
Deadline:
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Letter Of Intent: November 17, 2025
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Full Proposal Invitations: December 2025
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Full Proposal (By Invitation): February 17, 2026
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Notification Of Awards: April 2026
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Award Start Date: August 1, 2026
Where To Go For Further Information:
- Program details.
- RFP/program inquiries: [email protected].
7. CPRIT Rural Oncology Trials Accelerator Award
The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) is offering the Rural Oncology Trials Accelerator Award (ROTAA) to establish or enhance clinical trial capacity in rural and underserved communities across Texas. This award provides seed funding for infrastructure, staffing, and operational support to make eligible sites trial-ready and able to participate in industry or cooperative group-sponsored oncology trials.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Applicants must be Texas-based public or not-for-profit institutions, healthcare systems, community hospitals, critical access hospitals, federally qualified health centers, or safety-net providers in rural or underserved areas.
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The Principal Investigator must hold an MD, DO, or equivalent, be licensed in Texas, and reside in the state for the award duration.
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The institution must commit funds equal to 50% of the CPRIT award.
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Each institution may submit only one application.
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For-profit entities and Multi-Principal Investigator applications are not eligible.
Funding Details:
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Up to USD 300,000 per year for a maximum of 3 years (total of USD 900,000).
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Indirect costs are capped at 5%.
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Funds may be used for salaries (excluding PI), research coordinators, regulatory managers, supplies, equipment, EMR integration, and partnerships with Site Management Organizations (SMOs).
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Construction or renovation expenses are not allowed.
Deadline:
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Application Deadline: December 2, 2025 (4:00 PM Central Time)
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Review Period: March 2026
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Award Notification: May 2026
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Anticipated Start Date: June 1, 2026
Where To Go For Further Information:
- Program details.
- Scientific/Programmatic Questions: [email protected]
8. ASH Treating Fairly Research Award
Supports equitable, impactful research on hematologic diseases that disproportionately affect specific communities, addressing gaps from shifting federal priorities.
Eligibility Criteria:
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ASH member serving as Principal Investigator at an eligible institution.
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Degree: PhD, MD/DO, or MD/DO–PhD.
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Citizenship/Status: U.S., Mexico, or Canada citizens or visa/permanent residents conducting research in the U.S., Mexico, or Canada.
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≤ USD 500,000 in other resources at time of application.
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Not eligible for ASH AMFDP or ASH Scholar Awards.
Funding Details:
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Total: USD 200,000 used over 1, 2, or 3 years (recipient’s choice).
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Max two awards per medical school to maintain program balance.
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Award activates upon notification.
Deadline:
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Application Deadline: December 17, 2025
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Award Notification: March 2026
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Award Activation: Upon Notification
Where To Go For Further Information:
- Program details.
- Questions: [email protected]
9. ASH HIP Fellow Award
Supports first- and second-year postdoctoral researchers in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico with protected time and resources to advance blood science–focused research and present at the ASH Annual Meeting.
Eligibility Criteria:
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MD, DO, PhD, or MD/DO–PhD in a mentored postdoctoral position.
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Fewer than three years of research experience after degree completion.
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Research mentor must be an ASH member in good standing.
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Alignment with Hematology Inclusion Pathway goals.
Funding Details:
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USD 100,000 total over two or three years.
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Supports salary, research activities, skill development, and meeting presentation costs.
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Eligible recipients with cellular therapy projects may also qualify for the ASH–ASTCT Career Development Award.
Deadline:
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Application Deadline: February 2, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Eastern time)
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Award Notification: May 2026
Where To Go For Further Information:
- Program details.
- Questions: [email protected]
10. ASH HIP Resident Award
Supports first- and second-year medical residents in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico to conduct blood science–focused research under an ASH member mentor, with added career-development mentorship and complimentary ASH membership.
Eligibility Criteria:
- First- or second-year resident (internal medicine, pathology, or pediatrics).
- Program accredited by ACGME or RCPSC (U.S. or Canada).
- Research project in hematology with an ASH member as research mentor.
- Residents applying to or matched into heme/onc fellowships are eligible.
Funding Details:
- USD 5,000 honorarium for the research project.
- Up to USD 2,000 for travel to present at the ASH Annual Meeting.
- Separate distinction: ASH–Roland B. Scott Award (top SCD-focused project) provides USD 16,000 to the recipient, USD 2,000 mentor research supplies, and USD 2,000 travel.
Deadline:
- Application Deadline: February 2, 2026 (11:59 p.m. ET)
- Award Notification: May 2026
Where To Go For Further Information:
- Program details.
- Questions: [email protected]
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