Beginning Investigator Grant for Catalytic Research (BIG Cat)
The BIG Cat grant supports early-career African researchers in conducting innovative cancer research to address Africa's cancer burden and build local scientific capacity.
Funder: American Association for Cancer Research
Due Dates: May 12, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | September 8, 2026 (Full application, invited only)
Funding Amounts: $60,000 USD total over 2 years; typically supports salary, research expenses, and up to $10,000 for travel
Summary: Supports early-career African cancer researchers to establish independent research careers and address Africa’s cancer burden through innovative, locally relevant projects.
Key Information: Applicants must have legal residency and conduct research in Africa; AORTIC and AACR memberships required.
Description
The Beginning Investigator Grant for Catalytic Research (BIG Cat) is a premier initiative co-led by the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC), the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and the US National Cancer Institute Center for Global Health (NCI/CGH). This program is designed to address the rapidly increasing cancer burden in Africa by supporting early-career African investigators in establishing independent research careers focused on cancer. The grant aims to build local research capacity, generate evidence to inform clinical, public health, and policy guidelines, and catalyze future funding opportunities for African researchers. Projects may span the full cancer care continuum, including basic, clinical, population-based, and translational research.
