Updated November 5, 2026
Cancer Research Grants 2026
Open grants for cancer and oncology research, from NCI and DOD programs to disease-focused foundations. A live list sorted by relevance and updated daily.
Cancer research is one of the few areas of science funding that entered 2026 in decent shape. The National Cancer Institute received a budget increase when much of the government did not, and the institute has signaled it expects to fund more new research project grants and more early stage investigators this year than last. Add the Department of Defense's congressionally directed medical research programs and a deep bench of cancer-focused nonprofits, and oncology researchers have a wider set of live options than most of their colleagues.
Featured grants
Updated automatically from Atom's grant database. Summaries are AI-generated.2027 Impact Grants
Funds innovative research and community projects to advance cancer prevention and early detection, focusing on under-screened cancers and rural health disparities.
Our Grant Process - American Cancer Society
Our Grant Process - American Cancer Society supports researchers and institutions through cancer studies, training, and pilot projects to advance cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship.
Research Scholar Grants - American Cancer Society
Research Scholar Grants from the American Cancer Society support independent investigators’ cancer research across the research continuum, with an emphasis on actionable work addressing health equity.
That breadth is worth using deliberately. Federal mechanisms remain the backbone, but disease-focused foundations and societies fund everything from basic tumor biology to prevention, early detection, health services research, and survivorship, and many run programs targeted at specific career stages or cancer types. For labs facing longer odds on any single federal application, pairing it with two or three well-matched private opportunities is now standard practice.
This collection pulls together open cancer research funding across federal, foundation, and nonprofit sources, ranked by relevance to the field. It refreshes as new opportunities post and deadlines pass, so it stays current through the funding cycles rather than snapshotting a single moment.
Discovery Grants - American Brain Tumor Association
Discovery Grants from the American Brain Tumor Association support early-career faculty pursuing novel brain tumor research to advance diagnosis or treatment and lay groundwork for larger studies.
Oncology Information for Grant Submissions
Bayer funds educational programs advancing knowledge of new therapies, treatment strategies, and quality of life in advanced prostate cancer.
Childhood Cancer Research Grants - CURE Childhood Cancer
Childhood Cancer Research Grants support investigators, including beginning scientists and physician-scientists, in targeted research to improve childhood cancer survival while protecting long-term health.
Advanced Clinical Research Award
Advanced Clinical Research Award supports independent mid-career physicians pursuing original breast cancer clinical or human-subjects translational research to address patient needs and potential benefit.
Career Development Award Special Competitions
Career Development Award Special Competitions support early-career clinical investigators through mentored, patient-oriented cancer research to help establish independent clinical research programs.
Takeda Oncology Research Grants
Takeda Oncology Research Grants fund projects advancing research and education in GI, hematologic, and thoracic cancers to improve patient outcomes and scientific understanding.
Cancer Prevention and Early Detection Grant Funding
This grant funds Colorado-based research and interventions to reduce cancer disparities and improve prevention and early detection, focusing on evidence-based strategies in diverse and underserved communities.
Research Grants - Breast Cancer Research Foundation
Research Grants from the Breast Cancer Research Foundation support scientists and clinical investigators pursuing creative clinical and translational research to advance breast cancer prevention, understanding, and treatment.
General Topic Research Grant
General Topic Research Grant supports emerging to mid-career oncology nurse scientists in research that identifies and tests new insights into patient care to advance oncology nursing practice.
Young Investigator Awards
Young Investigator Awards support early-career investigators at NCCN Member Institutions, funding research in cancer biology, diagnosis, treatment, and care delivery to advance cancer care.
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Early Detection Research Grant
National Ovarian Cancer Coalition Early Detection Research Grant supports early career professionals and junior investigators studying ovarian cancer, with a focus on detecting the disease early.
Exploratory Grants in Cancer Control (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)
Support for innovative research to improve cancer control through behavior modification, screening, and understanding etiologic factors, with the aim of advancing population-based cancer studies.
Annual Grants - Osteosarcoma Institute
The Osteosarcoma Institute's Annual Grants support researchers pursuing clinical trials, treatment-response studies, preclinical research, and bold ideas to improve osteosarcoma treatment and survival.
Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Support basic research to uncover biological/genetic causes of cancer health disparities through innovative studies, methodologies, and data analysis.
Research Collaboration Grants
Research Collaboration Grants support cross-institutional research teams pursuing multidisciplinary, high-risk projects to improve diagnosis and treatment for adults and children with brain tumors.
Scientific Research Grants
Scientific Research Grants support investigators and multidisciplinary teams conducting innovative breast cancer pilot research to advance understanding, diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes.
Daiichi Sankyo Early Career Ovarian Cancer Research Grant
Daiichi Sankyo Early Career Ovarian Cancer Research Grant supports fellows and early career faculty pursuing innovative ovarian cancer research to build preliminary data and research independence.
Frequently asked questions
The National Cancer Institute is the largest funder, alongside the Department of Defense's Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs. Private funders include the American Cancer Society, the Mark Foundation for Cancer Research, Cancer Grand Challenges, and many disease-specific foundations and professional societies.
Yes. NCI runs career development and pathway-to-independence awards, and many cancer foundations offer postdoctoral fellowships and young investigator grants. These programs usually cap eligibility by years since your terminal degree or first faculty appointment.
Both. Foundation programs range from basic tumor biology and technology development to prevention, early detection, clinical and translational studies, and survivorship research. Each listing notes its focus, so check scope before applying.
Usually, yes. Many researchers pair a federal application with one or two foundation proposals. Review each funder's overlap rules, since some require you to disclose or withdraw duplicate funding if both are awarded.