Beginning Investigator Grant for Catalytic Research (BIG Cat)
The BIG Cat grant supports early-career African researchers conducting innovative cancer research across prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship to address Africa’s cancer burden and build local research 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; up to $10,000 may be used for travel; indirect costs capped at 10% of total.
Summary: Supports early-career African cancer researchers to catalyze innovative, locally relevant research addressing Africa’s cancer burden.
Key Information: Applicants must have legal residency and conduct research in Africa; AORTIC membership required at LOI, AACR membership required at application.
Description
The Beginning Investigator Grant for Catalytic Research (BIG Cat) is a collaborative initiative 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). The program aims to develop the next generation of African cancer researchers by supporting innovative research projects that address the continent’s urgent cancer challenges. BIG Cat funds research across the cancer continuum—prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, palliative care, and survivorship—with a focus on building sustainable research capacity and generating evidence to inform policy and practice in Africa.
