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

January 22, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | May 7, 2026 (Full application, invited only)

$130,000 total over 2 years; supports salary/benefits and partial research costs

Supports postdoctoral or clinical research fellows conducting research on non-small cell lung cancer.

--- ## Description This fellowship is designed to encourage and support postdoctoral or clinical research fellows pursuing research projects focused on non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The award provides $130,000 over two years to support the fellow’s salary and benefits, with the option to allocate a portion of funds toward non-personnel research expenses such as laboratory supplies, equipment, and publication charges. Projects may span basic, clinical, translational, or population science, but must have direct applicability and relevance to NSCLC. --- ## Due Dates - **Letter of Intent deadline:** January 22, 2026 (submit via ProposalCentral by 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time) - **Full application deadline (by invitation only):** May 7, 2026 (submit via ProposalCentral by 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time) - **Notification of LOI decision:** March 2026 - **Notification of award:** June 2026 - **Start of grant term:** August 1, 2026 --- ## Funding Amount - **Total award:** $130,000 USD - **Duration:** 2 years - **Use of funds:** Primarily for salary and benefits; partial funds may be used for research supplies, equipment, and publication costs related to the funded project. --- ## Eligibility - **Degree requirements:** Doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field; not currently a candidate for a further doctoral degree. - **Career stage:** Must hold a mentored research position (postdoctoral fellow, clinical research fellow, or equivalent) at the start of the grant term (August 1, 2026). - If eligibility is based on a future position, it must be confirmed at application and not contingent on receiving this grant. - **Time since degree:** Doctoral degree (or completion of medical residency, whichever is later) must have been conferred within the past 5 years (not before August 1, 2021). Exceptions may be granted for parental or other well-justified leave. - **Mentorship:** Must work under the auspices of a mentor at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world. - **Citizenship:** No citizenship or geographic restrictions, but visa status must allow completion of the project/grant term. - **AACR Membership:** Applicants must be AACR members in good standing by the LOI deadline. Nonmembers must apply for membership by the LOI deadline and secure a nominator who is an active AACR member. No dues required for Associate members or for those in certain eligible countries. - **Other restrictions:** - Only one Letter of Intent may be submitted for this fellowship, but concurrent applications to other AACR grants are allowed (only one AACR grant may be held at a time). - Not eligible: Employees/subcontractors of U.S. government entities or for-profit industry; postdocs in U.S. government labs; current or former instructors, assistant professors, or higher ranks (with rare, specific exceptions). - Mentors funded by the tobacco industry are not eligible. --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Submit online via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) by January 22, 2026, 1:00 p.m. ET. - LOI uses a prescribed template (max 2 pages, plus references) and must include: - Project title - Specific Aims, Rationale, Preliminary Data, Methodology, Statistical Analysis, Significance - Lay and scientific abstracts (each ≤3,000 characters) - Applicant’s biographical sketch (template provided) - Required electronic signatures from applicant and institution. - Only PDF attachments accepted. 2. **Full Application (by invitation only):** - Only selected applicants (based on LOI review) are invited to submit a full application by May 7, 2026. - Requires a mentor’s letter of reference (or co-signed if co-mentored). - Additional institutional and project documentation may be required. 3. **Review:** - Peer-reviewed by a Scientific Review Committee. - Criteria include applicant qualifications, project quality, mentorship, and training environment. 4. **Award notification:** June 2026; grant term begins August 1, 2026. 5. **Grantee requirements:** Attendance at the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 for recognition (travel may be supported by grant funds). --- ## Additional Information - **Reporting:** Annual or semiannual progress and financial reports required. - **Compliance:** IRB or IACUC approvals required for human/animal research before grant start. - **AACR membership help:** Nonmembers must apply for membership by LOI deadline and secure a nominator. Assistance available via [membership@aacr.org](mailto:membership@aacr.org). - **Tobacco industry funding:** Applicants or mentors with tobacco industry funding are ineligible. --- ## External Links - [AACR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Fellowship Program Page](https://www.aacr.org/grants/aacr-non-small-cell-lung-cancer-research-fellowship/) - [2026 Program Guidelines and LOI Instructions (PDF)](https://www.aacr.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/2026-AACR-Non-Small-Cell-Lung-Cancer-Research-Fellowship-LOI-PG_Final_new.pdf) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) - [AACR Membership Information](https://www.aacr.org/professionals/membership/become-a-member/) - [Membership FAQ](https://www.aacr.org/professionals/membership/become-a-member/membership-faq/) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact | |---------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------| | Program/eligibility questions | [grants@aacr.org](mailto:grants@aacr.org) | | AACR Membership assistance | [membership@aacr.org](mailto:membership@aacr.org) | | ProposalCentral technical support | pcsupport@altum.com
800-875-2562 (US/Canada)
+1-703-964-5840 (Intl) | | AACR general contact | [aacr@aacr.org](mailto:aacr@aacr.org) | | AACR phone | +1 215-440-9300 |

AACR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer Research Fellowship

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