[American Association for Cancer Research](https://www.aacr.org)

January 27, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | May 19, 2026 (Full application, invited applicants)

$300,000 total over 3 years (up to $100,000/year for research expenses, salary, and related costs)

Supports early-stage scientists in cancer research to advance diversity and inclusion through basic, translational, or population science projects.

--- ## Description This award aims to foster diversity and inclusion in the cancer research workforce by supporting early-stage scientists engaged in projects with direct relevance to cancer understanding, detection, diagnosis, interception, treatment, or prevention. Supported research may be in basic, translational, or population sciences, but clinical research projects are not eligible. The program is intended to help build a more inclusive community of independent cancer researchers. --- ## Due Dates - **January 27, 2026:** Letter of Intent deadline (submit by 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time) - **May 19, 2026:** Full application deadline for invited applicants (submit by 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time) Applicants will be notified of LOI status in March 2026. Award notifications are made in July 2026, and the grant term begins September 1, 2026. --- ## Funding Amount - **Total Award:** $300,000 per grant, paid over 3 years (up to $100,000/year) - **Allowable Costs:** Salary and benefits for the PI and collaborators; postdoctoral fellows; graduate students (including tuition); research assistants; research/lab supplies; equipment; publication charges; and other direct research expenses. --- ## Eligibility - **Career Stage:** Early-stage investigators with a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field. - **Faculty Position:** Must hold a faculty appointment (assistant professor, instructor, research assistant professor, or equivalent) at the start of the grant term (September 1, 2026). The position must be confirmed at application and not contingent on receiving this grant. - **Independence:** First independent investigator position must have been attained between September 1, 2020, and September 1, 2026. - **Research Space:** Must have independent laboratory space as confirmed by the institution. - **Institution Type:** Must be based at an academic, medical, or research institution worldwide. - **Citizenship:** No citizenship or geographic restrictions; applicants must ensure visa status allows completion of the project if outside their home country. - **AACR Membership:** Must be an AACR Active member in good standing by the LOI deadline. Nonmembers must apply for membership and secure a nominator who is an active AACR member. - **Ineligibility:** - Principal Investigators on major independent research awards (e.g., NIH R01, DP2, DP5, MIRA, or equivalent) are not eligible. - Applicants with clinical responsibilities, current AACR grantees whose grant does not end before September 1, 2026, or those funded by the tobacco industry are ineligible. - Employees/subcontractors of U.S. government entities or for-profit industry may not apply (can collaborate, but not receive funds). - Only one AACR grant may be held at a time. --- ## Application Process - **Step 1:** Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) online via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) by January 27, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET. - **Step 2:** Selected applicants will be invited in March 2026 to submit a full application by May 19, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET. - **LOI Requirements:** - Two-page narrative (specific aims, rationale, methodology, significance) - References (up to two pages) - Lay and scientific abstracts - Applicant biographical sketch (template provided) - Applicant checklist with required signatures - **Full Application:** Additional documents (letters of reference, detailed budget, institutional commitment) required for invited applicants. - **AACR Membership:** Nonmembers must submit a membership application and obtain a nominator by the LOI deadline. - **Submission Platform:** All materials must be submitted as PDFs through ProposalCentral. - **Validation:** Applications must be validated in the ProposalCentral system before submission. - **Questions:** Contact [grants@aacr.org](mailto:grants@aacr.org) for program queries or [pcsupport@altum.com](mailto:pcsupport@altum.com) for technical support. --- ## Additional Information - **Annual Recognition:** Awardees must attend the AACR Annual Meeting for formal recognition; grant funds may be used for travel/registration. - **Reporting:** Annual or semiannual progress and financial reports required. - **Compliance:** Projects involving human subjects or animals must have appropriate IRB/IACUC approvals. - **Other Restrictions:** No clinical research projects will be funded. Applicants must declare any tobacco industry funding. --- ## External Links - [Program Guidelines and Competitive Letter of Intent Instructions (PDF)](https://www.aacr.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/12/2026-AACR-CDA-to-Foster-Diversity-and-Inclusion-LOI-PGs-2.pdf) - [AACR Grant Opportunity Page](https://www.aacr.org/grants/aacr-career-development-awards-to-foster-diversity-and-inclusion/) - [Current Funding Opportunities](https://www.aacr.org/professionals/research-funding/current-funding-opportunities/) - [AACR Membership Categories](https://www.aacr.org/professionals/membership/become-a-member/membership-categories/) - [AACR Membership FAQ](https://www.aacr.org/professionals/membership/become-a-member/membership-faq/) - [myAACR Member Portal](https://myaacr.aacr.org/s/?sort=Asc) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------| | Program/Eligibility Questions| [grants@aacr.org](mailto:grants@aacr.org) | | Membership Support | [membership@aacr.org](mailto:membership@aacr.org)| | ProposalCentral Support | [pcsupport@altum.com](mailto:pcsupport@altum.com)
800-875-2562 (US/Canada)
+1-703-964-5840 (International) | | AACR General Info | +1 215-440-9300 | | AACR Contact Page | [Contact AACR](https://www.aacr.org/about-the-aacr/contact-us/) |

AACR Career Development Awards to Foster Diversity and Inclusion

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