[American Cancer Society](https://www.cancer.org)

June 2026 | December 2026

Up to $135,000/year in direct costs plus 8% indirects; 3–5 year project term

Supports radiation oncology clinician scientists in developing independent research careers while maintaining clinical practice.

Eligibility excludes prior PIs of independent grants over $100k or 1 year; 50% protected research/training time required.

--- ## Description The ASTRO-ACS Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG) is a collaborative initiative between the American Cancer Society (ACS) and the American Society for Radiation Oncology (ASTRO) aimed at fostering the research careers of clinician scientists in the field of radiation oncology. The program is designed for full-time faculty who are primarily trained as clinicians and wish to maintain clinical practice while developing independent cancer research programs. The grant supports protected time for mentored research and career development, enabling recipients to acquire the skills and experience necessary to transition to research independence. --- ## Due Dates - June 2026 (anticipated): Full application deadline for Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG) - December 2026 (anticipated): Full application deadline for Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Up to $135,000 per year in direct costs - Plus 8% allowable indirect costs - Project term: 3 to 5 years - Award supports salary, research expenses, and career development activities --- ## Eligibility - Must be a full-time faculty member at a US academic institution or eligible non-profit. - Doctoral degree (e.g., MD, DO, MD/PhD, DDS, DNP, DSW, PharmD, PhD, PsyD, DVM, or terminal degree for field) with an active clinical license (or equivalent certification) and participation in clinical care. - Must be in the field of radiation oncology (including clinical medical physicists). - Must not be a current or former PI of an independent extramural research grant exceeding 1 year and $100,000 in total direct costs (including multi-PI awards). - Not eligible if previously PI on individual mentored training grants (e.g., NIH K08, K22, K23) or equivalent to ACS CSDG. - Must have institutional commitment for at least 50% protected time for research and training under the CSDG. - Must identify a primary mentor with a strong track record in research and mentoring. - Individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups and those with disabilities are especially encouraged to apply. - Applicants must become ASTRO members prior to grant activation. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/); select "Clinician Scientist Development Grant" and identify the ASTRO-ACS RFA in the application. - Institutional support letter, mentor biosketch, and detailed research/career development plan required. - Two annual submission cycles (anticipated June and December deadlines). - Review the [grant instructions](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-instructions.pdf) and [grant policies](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-policies.pdf) for detailed requirements. - Contact ACS for eligibility questions or exceptions (see below). --- ## Additional Information - The grant is intended for clinician scientists who have not yet established independent research programs. - 50% effort must be dedicated to research and career development activities supported by the grant. - Not open to doctoral-level applicants who are not clinicians or who no longer provide clinical care. - Applicants may not submit both a CSDG and a Research Scholar Grant in the same cycle. - Only one application per cycle per applicant is permitted across certain ACS mechanisms. --- ## External Links - [ASTRO-ACS Clinician Scientist Development Grant Program Page](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/astro-acs-clinician-scientist-development-grant.html) - [ACS Grant Policies (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-policies.pdf) - [ACS Grant Instructions (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-instructions.pdf) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |----------------------------------|---------------------------------------|-----------------| | ACS Extramural Grants Office | [grants@cancer.org](mailto:grants@cancer.org) | 1-800-227-2345 | | Eligibility Questions | [grant.eligibility@cancer.org](mailto:grant.eligibility@cancer.org) | | | Program Office (Clinical/Pop Sci)| [Joanne Elena, PhD](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-researchers/joanne-elena-bio.html) | | | ASTRO (Membership) | [ASTRO Contact Page](https://www.astro.org/About-ASTRO/Contact-Us) | | For additional staff and scientific director contacts, see the [ACS Extramural Grants Contacts page](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-grants-staff-contacts.html).

ASTRO-ACS Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG)

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