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

June 1, 2026 | December 1, 2026

Up to $215,000/year (direct costs) + 10% indirect costs, for up to 4 years; max $946,000 total.

Supports independent, early-career investigators pursuing cancer research aligned with ACS priority areas.

Applicants must be within 8 years of first independent faculty appointment and may not have more than one R01/R01-equivalent grant.

--- ## Description The American Cancer Society's Research Scholar Grants (RSG) provide substantial support for independent, self-directed researchers aiming to advance cancer research within ACS’s defined priority areas. These investigator-initiated grants fund a broad range of projects across the cancer research continuum, including basic, translational, clinical, and population-based research. The program is designed to help early-career faculty establish their independent research careers and generate impactful findings in cancer prevention, detection, treatment, and survivorship. --- ## Due Dates - June 1, 2026: Full application deadline - December 1, 2026: Full application deadline If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are accepted the following business day. --- ## Funding Amount - Up to $215,000 per year in direct costs, plus 10% allowable indirect costs (maximum $21,500/year) - Project duration: Up to 4 years - Maximum total award: $946,000 (including indirect costs) Funds may be used for salaries, supplies, and other research expenses. Equipment purchases over $5,000 require special justification. --- ## Eligibility - **Career Stage:** Applicants must be within 8 years of their first independent, full-time faculty (or equivalent) appointment at the time of application. Extensions for extenuating circumstances may be requested at least 6 weeks prior to the deadline. - **Current Funding:** Applicants may not be the PI (including multi-PI) of more than one active R01 or R01-equivalent grant (defined as >$100,000/year direct costs for >3 years). - **Prior RSG Recipients:** Current or former RSG awardees are not eligible unless applying under a special initiative or RFA. - **Institutional Requirements:** Applicants must be based at a US academic institution or eligible nonprofit that provides resources and space customary for independent investigators. - **Citizenship:** No US citizenship requirement, but the institution must verify eligibility to work in the US for the grant duration. - **Other Restrictions:** Only one application per mechanism per cycle (no simultaneous RSG/DBG/MBG/CSDG submissions). --- ## Application Process 1. **Preparation:** Review ACS grant policies and instructions to ensure eligibility. 2. **Submission:** Applications are submitted electronically via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/). 3. **Required Documents:** NIH-format biosketch, research plan, budget and justification, institutional support letter, and other standard attachments. 4. **Peer Review:** Applications are assigned to the most appropriate peer review committee; applicants are notified of committee assignment after submission. 5. **Resubmissions:** Up to two resubmissions allowed, with required responses to prior critiques. 6. **Compliance:** IRB/IACUC approvals are required prior to grant activation if human or animal subjects are involved. --- ## Additional Information - **Eligible Research Areas:** Projects must align with ACS [priority research areas](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-priority-research-areas.html). - **Budget Flexibility:** Minor budget changes (<$15,000/year) do not require ACS approval; major changes do. - **No-cost Extensions:** May be requested for up to 1 year. - **Overlap Restrictions:** Projects with overlapping aims or budgets with other funded projects are not permitted. --- ## External Links - [Program Details & Application Instructions](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/research-scholar-grants.html) - [ACS Grant Policies (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-policies.pdf) - [All 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/) - [ACS Priority Research Areas](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-priority-research-areas.html) - [FAQs: Grant Application Process](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/faqs-program-changes-and-application-submission.html) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email/Phone | Notes | |------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Grants Office | [grants@cancer.org](mailto:grants@cancer.org) | General inquiries | | Grant Eligibility | [grant.eligibility@cancer.org](mailto:grant.eligibility@cancer.org) | Eligibility questions/extensions | | ProposalCentral Support | pcsupport@altum.com / 1-800-875-2562 | Technical/application portal support | | ACS EDS Program Contacts | [Extramural Grants Staff Contacts](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-grants-staff-contacts.html) | Program-specific questions | ---

Research Scholar Grants

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