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

September 2026 (LOI) | December 2026 (Full application)

Up to $80,000 per year for 5 years; discretionary use for research, mentoring, and leadership activities.

Honorific award for full professors making seminal, ongoing contributions to cancer research and scientific leadership.

This is a forecasted opportunity; all dates are projected and may shift.

--- ## Description This highly competitive, honorific award recognizes full professors who have made and are expected to continue making transformative contributions to cancer research. The award supports established leaders whose work has significantly influenced the direction of the field, whether in fundamental, preclinical, clinical, psychosocial, behavioral, health policy, or epidemiologic research. In addition to scientific achievement, excellence in mentoring, leadership, and community engagement are essential criteria. Recipients are expected to serve as visible spokespeople for the American Cancer Society and for cancer research more broadly. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026 (anticipated): Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline - December 2026 (anticipated): Full application deadline (by invitation only) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Up to $80,000 per year for 5 years (total up to $400,000) - Funds may be used at the recipient’s discretion to support innovative research, mentoring, and leadership activities in cancer research --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold the rank of full professor at an accredited institution. - Demonstrated record of seminal, impactful contributions that have changed the direction of cancer research. - Areas of achievement may include fundamental, preclinical, clinical, psychosocial, behavioral, health policy, or epidemiologic research. - Excellence in scientific mentoring, leadership, and community engagement is required. - U.S. citizenship is not required. - Only individuals (not teams) are eligible. --- ## Application Process 1. **Letter of Intent (LOI):** - Submit electronically via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.altum.com/). - LOI (2–3 pages) describing major contributions, leadership, and mentoring record. - Include NIH-format CV and complete bibliography. - Additional required attachments as outlined in the [LOI instructions](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/loi-instructions/research-professors/research-professors-loi-instructions.pdf). 2. **Review and Invitation:** - LOIs are reviewed for impact, vision, productivity, and mentoring. - Selected candidates are invited to submit a full application. 3. **Full Application:** - Detailed proposal and supporting documents as per ACS guidelines. - Submission via ProposalCentral. - Only invited applicants may submit a full application. --- ## Additional Information - Awardees are expected to serve as spokespeople for the American Cancer Society and for cancer research. - The award is primarily honorific but includes significant discretionary research funding. - For frequently asked questions and the latest program changes, see the [ACS Grant Application FAQs](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/faqs-program-changes-and-application-submission.html). - See [current and previous awardees](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/research-clinical-research-professors-bio.html) for examples of successful candidates. --- ## External Links - [ACS Professor Award Program Page](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/research-professor-grants.html) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.altum.com/) - [LOI Instructions (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/loi-instructions/research-professors/research-professors-loi-instructions.pdf) - [All Grant Instructions (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-instructions.pdf) - [Extramural Grants Staff Contacts](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-grants-staff-contacts.html) - [List of ACS Professors](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/research-clinical-research-professors-bio.html) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Title | Email | Phone | |---------------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------| | Kathy Goss, PhD | Senior Scientific Director, EDS | [kathleen.goss@cancer.org](mailto:kathleen.goss@cancer.org) | +1 800-227-2345 | | ACS Grants Office | General grants contact | [grants@cancer.org](mailto:grants@cancer.org) | +1 800-227-2345 | For technical issues with ProposalCentral: pcsupport@altum.com or 1-800-875-2562 ---

ACS Professor Award

Sign in to see full grant listing