This week’s top 10 OncoGrants are unapologetically execution-driven. The emphasis is on moving beyond proof-of-concept and into validation, scale, and real clinical consequence. Funding this cycle concentrates on translational acceleration, disciplined population science, and career inflection points for investigators positioned to deliver results, not just ideas.
You’ll see large, milestone-anchored translational awards pushing lab discoveries toward first-in-human trials, alongside high-risk reinvestment capital for investigators with a track record of impact. Early-career support is equally prominent: fellowships and young investigator awards targeting drug development, lung cancer, prostate cancer, and faculty independence, each tightly scoped, competitive, and outcome-oriented.
There’s also a clear systems signal. Population-level cancer prevention, diversity-focused faculty development, palliative care skill transfer, and regionally matched discovery funding all appear this week. These programs reward teams that can integrate biostatistics, validation cohorts, mentorship structures, and institutional commitment into a coherent plan.
1. Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award – Drug Development Focus ($50K)
A one-year Young Investigator Award (YIA) from Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, dedicated to oncology fellows or junior faculty pursuing research in drug development. This grant provides $50,000 to support innovative early-phase clinical trials, preclinical drug discovery, pharmacology, or related research aimed at new cancer therapies. It helps bridge the transition from training to independent research for young oncologists specializing in developing novel treatments.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Open to oncology trainees in their final year of fellowship or within ~1–2 years post-fellowship (e.g. in a junior faculty instructor or assistant professor role). Typically applicants are ≤5 years from training completion and ≤ ASCO’s age criteria for “young” investigators (usually ~ ≤ 40).
- Must choose the Drug Development track and propose a project focused on anti-cancer therapy development (e.g. designing early-phase clinical trials, preclinical drug screening, biomarker-driven therapeutics).
- Requires a committed mentor in the research area and an institutional letter of support. Applicant (MD, DO, or equivalent) should be an ASCO member in good standing.
- Applicants should not have been a principal investigator on a major research grant (NIH R01 or equivalent) previously , ensuring this is a mentored, career-development award. International applicants are welcome; proposals from outside the U.S. are eligible as long as mentorship and institutional support are in place.
Funding Details:
- Grant Amount: $50,000 USD for a 1-year period.
- Allowed expenses: Primarily to cover the awardee’s research expenses and effort during the project year. Funds can support lab supplies, data collection, patient accrual costs, and a portion of the investigator’s salary to provide protected research time. Up to $2,500 (5%) may be used for institutional overhead if required (generally, indirect costs are discouraged).
- Additional benefits: YIA recipients receive complimentary registration to the ASCO Annual Meeting and are invited to Conquer Cancer events and networking forums. They are expected to produce a research abstract or manuscript by the end of the award and present results at an ASCO forum.
- Only one Drug Development YIA is awarded for the 2026 cycle (as part of Conquer Cancer’s targeted YIAs), making this a competitive opportunity.
Deadline:
- Full application due by January 29, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time.
- Award notifications will be made in spring 2026, and the funding period runs from July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027.
Where to go for further information:
2. AACR Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer Fellowship – $130K for Postdoc Lung Cancer Research
A specialized two-year fellowship supporting a postdoctoral scientist conducting research in non–small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This AACR award accelerates the career of a young investigator focused on lung cancer biology or treatment, providing funding and mentorship to advance their project and professional development.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must have a PhD, MD, or equivalent doctoral degree and not be pursuing additional degrees.
- At the grant start (Aug 1, 2026), must hold a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow position (or confirmed to start one) under a mentor’s supervision.
- Must be “early-stage” – having completed their final terminal degree within the past ~5 years (e.g. after ~2019-2021) to ensure early-career status (exact cutoff per program guidelines).
- Open internationally (no citizenship requirement). The research must be conducted at a non-profit or academic institution, and visa status should permit completion of the 2-year term if outside one’s home country. AACR membership is required by full application submission.
Funding Details:
- Grant Amount: $130,000 USD total for 2 years.
- Duration: 2 years of support (anticipated term Aug 1, 2026 – July 31, 2028).
- Funds cover the fellow’s salary, benefits, and NSCLC research costs (supplies, etc.). No indirect costs; all funding is for direct project expenses.
- LOI Phase: A Letter of Intent is required first, due in January 2026. Competitive LOIs will be invited to submit full proposals for May deadline.
Deadline:
- LOI Deadline: January 22, 2026 at 1:00 PM ET. Applicants must submit a brief Letter of Intent by this date.
- Full Application Deadline: 2026-05-07, 1:00 PM ET (for invited applicants after LOI review).
- Award notification by June 2026 ; project start date August 2026.
Where to go for further information:
3. Andy Hill CARE Fund Scientific Discoveries Oncology Grant
A Washington State cancer research grant for teams pursuing breakthrough scientific discoveries with potential to lessen the burden of cancer. Open to public and private entities with a substantial presence in Washington.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Washington State applicants (e.g., companies, higher ed/research institutions, nonprofits, tribal governments/entities, local health jurisdictions).
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Must secure a minimum 1:1 match of non-state funds.
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PI may submit no more than one application.
Funding Details:
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$250,000–$1,500,000 (direct + indirect)
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Up to 2 years; reimbursements for actual expenses
Deadline:
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March 2nd, 2026 at 4:00 p.m. PT.
Where to go for further information:
4. Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Awards – $225K for Early-Career Prostate Cancer Research
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) Young Investigator Awards provide three-year grants of $225,000 (distributed as $75K per year) to creative young scientists with novel ideas in prostate cancer research . These awards support early-career investigators (typically within 6 years of postdoc or medical fellowship) in topics spanning basic, translational, clinical, or population science as related to prostate cancer. The goal is to encourage the next generation of prostate cancer experts by funding high-risk, high-reward projects and securing protected time for research . PCF YI Awards are open globally and are often co-sponsored by partner organizations for specialized focus areas (e.g. radiation oncology, nuclear medicine, etc.) .
Eligibility Criteria:
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Applicants should be “young” investigators, generally ≤ 35–36 years old at the time of application (not a strict cutoff, but this is the typical range) . They should be in postdoctoral training or have recently started a junior faculty position. For MDs, this may mean oncology fellows or instructors; for PhDs, typically within 6 years of obtaining their PhD and in a postdoc or assistant professor role.
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Position: Must hold an appropriate position at a non-profit academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world. The institution must demonstrate support for the applicant’s career development (through a letter). If the applicant is not yet independent, a mentor should be identified. Each application requires a mentor(s) who will advise the Young Investigator.
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Research Focus: Proposal must be relevant to prostate cancer. PCF encourages a broad range of topics – from basic mechanisms (genomics, biology of progression) to translational (drug targets, biomarkers) to clinical research (novel therapies, imaging) to health disparities and survivorship in prostate cancer. The idea or approach should be innovative and hold promise to advance the field . High-risk ideas are welcome, including those leveraging new technologies or interdisciplinary methods.
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Applicants should not have been a PI on a major national grant (like R01 or substantial foundation grant) before. Having smaller grants or career development awards (K awards, etc.) is fine. There is no requirement of U.S. citizenship.
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PCF particularly encourages proposals that involve collaboration, especially multi-disciplinary ones, and those addressing lethal prostate cancer or significant unmet needs (like therapy-resistant disease, metastatic disease, etc.).
Funding Details:
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Award Amount: $225,000 USD total, paid over 3 years ($75,000 per year) . No indirect costs are allowed – the full amount goes to direct research expenses and the investigator’s support.
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Use of Funds: Funds can support the Young Investigator’s salary (to ensure they have protected research time) and research costs such as laboratory supplies, reagents, patient enrollment costs for clinical studies, specialized equipment usage, and travel to scientific meetings. The budget is flexible but must be justified in terms of advancing the proposed project . The mentor’s lab often supplements resources if needed.
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Mentorship & Collaboration: Each YI is matched with two PCF-approved mentors – one from their institution and often another from PCF’s network – to guide their research and career . PCF YIs attend the annual PCF Scientific Retreat and a Young Investigator Forum where they present their work and network with peers and senior investigators . These events are covered by PCF separately (not from the grant budget).
Deadline:
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Applications due February 23, 2026 by 3:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time (EDT).
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Timeline: Online application portal opens in January. After submission, a scientific review committee evaluates proposals in the spring. Funding decisions are typically announced by early summer. The 2026 YI awards would begin around July 2026.
Where to go for further information:
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6. AACR Career Development Awards (Diversity & Inclusion) – $300K Grants for Early Faculty
Competitive three-year career development awards co-sponsored by AACR to foster diversity and inclusion in cancer research leadership. These grants support junior faculty (assistant professors or equivalent) from underrepresented groups or with diversity-focused research, providing funding and mentorship to establish independent labs in any cancer discipline.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) and not be candidates for further graduate/professional degrees. Clinical duties should be minimal, allowing protected research time.
- At the start of the grant term (Sept 1, 2026), must have a full-time faculty appointment at the assistant professor, instructor, or equivalent level. (If moving to a new institution for a faculty role, the position must be confirmed at application).
- “Early-stage” defined as first independent faculty appointment on or after Sept 1, 2020 (and no later than Sept 1, 2026). Must have their own laboratory space and institutional support for starting a research program.
- Open worldwide; no citizenship restrictions. Applicants from institutions outside their home country must ensure appropriate visa status for the project. Active AACR membership is required (nonmembers must apply for membership by the LOI deadline).
Funding Details:
- Award Amount: $300,000 USD total, paid over 3 years (approximately $100K/year).
- Grant Term: 3 years (Sept 2026 to Aug 2029). Funds may cover salary, research supplies, and other direct research costs to help secure protected time for the investigator. Indirect costs are not permitted.
- Includes structured mentorship: awardees work under a mentor at their institution and receive guidance to transition to research independence. Progress is reviewed annually by AACR.
- Awardees gain access to AACR’s network and career development events, and are expected to present their research progress at AACR meetings.
Deadline:
- Letter of Intent (pre-application) due 2026-01-27 by 1:00 PM ET. LOI is required; selected applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.
- Full Application Deadline: 2026-05-19, 1:00 PM ET (for those invited after LOI review).
- LOI decisions announced by March 2026. Final grant recipients notified by July 2026. Grant term begins Sept 1, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
7. ESMO Palliative Care Fellowship – 1-Month Oncology Training in Europe (€2.5K Stipend)
The European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO) Palliative Care Fellowship is a short-term observational training program (approximately 4 weeks) for young oncologists to gain specialized experience in cancer palliative and supportive care. The fellowship places the trainee at a leading palliative care center in Europe, where they learn best practices in symptom management, multidisciplinary teamwork, and holistic supportive oncology. With ~€2,500 provided for travel and living costs, this fellowship allows early-career oncologists (under age 40) to bring back improved palliative care skills to their home institutions.
Eligibility Criteria:
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Applicants must be oncologists (medical, radiation, or surgical) who are ESMO members under the age of 40. Typically, this means they are in the final phase of specialist training or recently board-certified in oncology. Current oncology fellows or junior consultants with a clear interest in palliative care are ideal candidates.
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Must demonstrate a strong interest in integrating palliative care into oncology. For example, candidates might be those setting up or working in supportive care clinics, or planning research/initiatives in symptom control or end-of-life care. A motivation letter is required, explaining how this fellowship will benefit their practice and cancer patients in their home region.
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Geographic scope: Open to oncologists from ESMO member countries and potentially partner countries outside Europe (ESMO has international members worldwide). There is no specific nationality restriction as long as the applicant is an ESMO member in good standing. However, the host centers are in Europe, and the fellowship is conducted in English (or local language if known).
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Language: Proficiency in English is mandatory. If the host institution’s primary language is non-English (e.g., French, Spanish, etc.), some knowledge of that language is beneficial for deeper immersion.
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Institutional support: The applicant’s home institution should endorse the application, confirming that they support the candidate’s leave for the fellowship and intend to utilize the enhanced skills upon return.
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One cannot apply if they have already received a similar ESMO fellowship or if they are older than the specified age limit.
Funding Details:
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Stipend: ESMO provides a fixed stipend of €6,000 for an 8-week fellowship (or pro-rated ~€3,000 for 4 weeks) – however, the 2026 palliative fellowship specifically is noted as 4 weeks with about €2,500 in funding. The OncoDaily summary indicates ~€2,500 is provided for a one-month observership. This is intended to cover travel to the host country and living expenses (accommodation, meals, local transport) during the fellowship. It’s not a salary since the fellow remains employed by their home institution.
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Duration: Usually 4 weeks (can sometimes be extended up to 8 weeks by arrangement, but funding is limited). The 2026 cycle fellowship application opening Jan 12 and closing Jan 30 suggests a roughly one-month program, likely to be scheduled within that calendar year at a time mutually agreed between fellow and host.
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What’s provided: The host institute does not charge any fees and will integrate the fellow into all relevant activities (ward rounds, clinic consultations, home care visits if applicable, team meetings, etc.). The fellow basically shadows and learns, and may have hands-on involvement as allowed. ESMO covers the registration fee for the fellow to attend the next ESMO Congress or an ESMO Palliative Care workshop, which is a bonus educational opportunity.
Deadline:
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Application deadline is January 30, 2026 (midday CET) for the ESMO Palliative Care Fellowship starting later in 2026. The call opened January 12, 2026 and closes on January 30, 2026 at 12:00 CET. This tight window suggests applicants should prepare their documents (CV, motivation letter, letters of reference, etc.) in advance.
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Decisions are usually communicated by March 2026. If successful, the fellow and ESMO will coordinate with a host institution (ESMO has pre-selected host centers across Europe with excellent palliative programs). The fellowship then takes place at a mutually agreed time, often later in 2026.
Where to go for further information:
8. All‑Star Adult Translational Grant
The All‑Star Adult Translational Grant is a reinvestment mechanism for exceptional prior V Foundation grantees, supporting high‑risk, high‑reward, transformative research with potential for major impact on understanding and/or treating cancer. The proposed project does not need to be linked to the previously funded V Foundation project, and the prior V award does not need to have been adult translational.
Special Requirement:
- A biostatistical or bioinformatics plan is REQUIRED for all proposals. Applications missing this element will not be considered.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Must be nominated by a Cancer Center Director or similarly high-ranking research official.
- Must be employed at a non-profit research institution (e.g., 501(c)(3) / Section 170).
- Must be a U.S. citizen OR have a legal permit (temporary or permanent) to work in the U.S.
- Must hold a full-time faculty appointment at Assistant Professor (or equivalent) level or above.
Funding Details:
- Award range shown in the internal listing: $800,000 – $1,000,000 (exact All‑Star amount depends on V Foundation cycle guidance).
- Designed for high‑risk/high‑reward transformative work with strong impact potential.
- Biostatistical/bioinformatics planning is mandatory.
Deadline:
- Internal LOI + NIH biosketch due: Friday, January 30, 2026.
- Internal nominee selected by: February 16, 2026.
- Anticipated sponsor full application deadline: April 17, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
9. Traditional Adult Translational Grant
The Traditional Adult Translational Grant supports adult translational projects designed to move a novel strategy from laboratory work toward a human clinical trial, or to use clinical trial specimens to develop biomarkers or mechanisms. The project endpoint should be the planning or initiation of a new clinical trial. Biomarker projects must include an independent validation set or an independent clinical trial.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Full-time appointment at rank: Assistant, Associate, or Full Staff.
- Not eligible: adjunct, affiliated, temporary, part-time, acting, or similar appointments.
- Must be a U.S. citizen OR have a legal permit (temporary or permanent) to work in the U.S.
Funding Details:
- Award amount: $800,000 total.
- Payment structure: four annual installments.
- Indirect costs: allowed up to 10% (maximum $80,000 total within the award).
- Research scope limitations: not intended for epidemiology, behavioral science, or health services research.
Deadline:
- Internal LOI + NIH biosketch due: Friday, January 30, 2026.
- Internal nominee selected by: February 16, 2026.
- Anticipated sponsor full application deadline: April 17, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
10. Multi‑Investigator Pilot Grant in Population and Cancer Prevention Research
This pilot mechanism supports multi‑investigator projects in population science and cancer prevention, intended to generate data for competitive future funding.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Multi‑investigator proposals focused on population and cancer prevention research (see program portal).
- Institutional eligibility rules may apply (see listing/portal).
Funding Details:
- Award: $100,000.
Deadline:
- Full application deadline: January 23, 2026.
Where to go for further information:
Taken together, this week’s grants span the full pipeline—from population and prevention pilots to translational programs aimed at advancing candidates toward clinical testing. Several opportunities prioritize early-career development through fellowships and young investigator awards, while others support larger collaborative teams and institutionally nominated applicants. Across the list, common requirements include clear project aims, defined mentorship or institutional support, and where applicable, plans for biomarker validation, biostatistics, or matched funding. As always, verify eligibility and internal nomination steps early, and confirm timelines across LOI and full-application phases.
We’ll continue tracking high-value oncology funding opportunities each week—follow OncoDaily’s OncoGrants series for the next roundup.