Research Scholar Grants
ACS Research Scholar Grants fund innovative, investigator-initiated cancer research by early-career faculty across all areas of cancer science.
Funder: American Cancer Society
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 | June 1, 2027
Funding Amounts: Up to $215,000/year (direct costs) plus 10% indirect costs, for up to 4 years (max $946,000 total).
Summary: Supports independent, early-career researchers conducting investigator-initiated cancer research aligned with ACS priority areas.
Key Information: Applicants must be within 8 years of their first independent faculty appointment and may not hold more than one active NIH R01 or equivalent grant.
Description
The American Cancer Society (ACS) Research Scholar Grants provide substantial support for independent, self-directed investigators pursuing innovative cancer research projects. These grants are designed to launch or advance the careers of early-stage faculty by funding projects that span the cancer research continuum—including basic, translational, clinical, and population sciences—provided they align with ACS’s priority research areas. Funding covers salaries, supplies, and other research-related expenses, with institutions expected to provide customary resources and space for the investigator.
