CRI IGNITE Award
CRI IGNITE Award supports postdoctoral researchers with mentored and early-faculty research funding to establish independent cancer immunology programs and advance the development of cancer immunotherapies.
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Funder: Cancer Research Institute
Due Dates: February 1, 2027 (Submission deadline, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1.05 million across two phases over up to five years
Summary: Supports postdoctoral researchers transitioning to independent tenure-track careers in cancer immunology through mentored and early-faculty funding.
Key Information: Independence Phase funding requires institutional co-investment, an adequate start-up package, and at least 65% protected research effort.
Description
The Cancer Research Institute’s IGNITE Award—Inspiring Growth and Nurturing Independence Through Excellence—supports outstanding postdoctoral researchers as they become independent tenure-track investigators. The award provides a structured pathway through two sequential phases: the Foundation Phase supports mentored postdoctoral development, and the Independence Phase supports early faculty launching laboratories and pursuing high-impact cancer immunology research.
IGNITE combines research funding, protected time, and mentorship to help scientists establish independent research programs, generate preliminary data for subsequent competitive awards, and build sustainable careers. During the Independence Phase, the hiring institution must formally co-invest in the investigator’s success through resources such as laboratory space, protected research time, and mentorship. The program advances CRI’s commitment to developing cancer immunotherapies by investing in researchers at this career transition.
