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

June 1, 2026 (summer cycle) | December 1, 2026 (winter cycle)

Up to $135,000/year in direct costs plus 8% indirect costs; project term 3–5 years

Supports full-time clinical faculty in developing independent cancer research careers while maintaining clinical practice.

Applicants must devote at least 50% effort to research/training and identify a qualified research mentor.

--- ## Description The Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG) from the American Cancer Society is designed to help full-time clinical faculty—who are primarily trained as clinicians—become independent investigators in cancer research. The grant enables recipients to maintain their clinical practice while developing and conducting research, with the overarching goal of fostering a cadre of clinician scientists who bridge patient care and scientific discovery. During the award, recipients are expected to engage in research training and mentorship activities, positioning them for future independent research funding. --- ## Due Dates - June 1, 2026: Full application submission deadline (summer cycle; applications due by 11:59 PM ET) - December 1, 2026: Full application submission deadline (winter cycle; applications due by 11:59 PM ET) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - **Direct costs:** Up to $135,000 per year - **Indirect costs:** Up to 8% of direct costs - **Project term:** 3 to 5 years - **Typical total award:** Up to $729,000 (for a 5-year project at maximum budget) - **Allowable expenses:** Salary, research supplies, tuition (for PI if training is part of the plan), travel, and other project-related costs --- ## Eligibility - Must hold a doctoral degree (e.g., MD, MD/PhD, DO, DDS, DNP, DSW, PharmD, PhD, PsyD, DVM) and have an active clinical license or equivalent certification to provide clinical care. - Must be a full-time faculty member at a US academic or eligible non-profit institution. - Must participate in clinical care throughout the award. - Must not have been PI (current or former) of an independent extramural research grant of more than 1 year AND more than $100,000 total direct costs (including multi-PI awards). - Must not be a current or former PI of an individual mentored training grant equivalent to the CSDG (e.g., NIH K08, K22, K23). - Must have institutional commitment for at least 50% protected time devoted to research and training. - Must identify a primary research mentor with a strong track record in the proposed area and in mentoring. - US citizenship is not required, but applicants must have appropriate work authorization for the duration of the award. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted electronically via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) by 11:59 PM ET on the due date. - Required materials include: - Research plan - Career development/training plan - Mentor’s letter and biosketch - Institutional support letter - Budget and justification - NIH-format biosketches for applicant and key personnel - Applicants are strongly encouraged to review the [grant policies](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-policies.pdf) and [application instructions](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-instructions.pdf). - Resubmissions are allowed, with reviewer critiques and a response required for each resubmission. - For eligibility exceptions due to extenuating circumstances, contact [grant.eligibility@cancer.org](mailto:grant.eligibility@cancer.org) by April 15 (summer) or October 15 (winter). --- ## Additional Information - Research topics may span cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, survivorship, and health equity. - Applicants may not submit more than one application to the CSDG, Research Scholar Grant, or Discovery Boost Grant in the same cycle. - The grant does not support doctoral-level non-clinicians or clinicians no longer involved in clinical care. - Institutional commitment to salary and research support must be clearly documented. - Awardees are expected to acknowledge ACS support in all resulting publications and presentations. --- ## External Links - [Program Page: Clinician Scientist Development Grant](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/clinician-scientist-development-grant.html) - [Full Grant Policies (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-policies.pdf) - [Application 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 Grant FAQs](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/faqs-program-changes-and-application-submission.html) --- ## Contact Information | Contact Type | Name/Email | Notes | |----------------------|--------------------------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [grants@cancer.org](mailto:grants@cancer.org) | ACS Extramural Discovery Science Grants Office | | Eligibility Questions| [grant.eligibility@cancer.org](mailto:grant.eligibility@cancer.org) | For eligibility exceptions/clarifications | | ProposalCentral Help | pcsupport@altum.com, 1-800-875-2562 | Technical/application portal support | | Phone | +1 800-227-2345 | ACS main line | | Program Director | [See ACS EDS Contacts](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-grants-staff-contacts.html) | For scientific/programmatic queries |

Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG)

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