[Cancer Research Institute](https://www.cancerresearch.org)

January 15, 2026 (application submission deadline)

$1.25M over 5 years; up to 10% additional indirect costs to institution

Supports bold mid-career scientists with flexible, long-term funding to drive transformative research in cancer immunotherapy.

No citizenship restrictions; applicants must meet specific tenure-track requirements.

--- ## Description The CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Program provides substantial, flexible funding to empower mid-career scientists to pursue high-risk, high-reward research in cancer immunotherapy. Unlike traditional project-based grants, this award supports outstanding investigators whose body of work demonstrates exceptional promise and the potential for transformative impact in the field. The program is designed to enable recipients to explore unconventional ideas, often leading to paradigm-shifting discoveries in immune-based cancer therapies. Named in honor of Lloyd J. Old, a pioneer in tumor immunology, the program aims to nurture visionary scientists who leverage deep expertise and interdisciplinary thinking to advance fundamental or translational discoveries. --- ## Due Dates - January 15, 2026: Application submission deadline (full application) Candidates will be notified in early March if they are invited for an interview. Interviews are conducted virtually in spring. The earliest award start date is July 1 following the deadline, and awards must activate on the first of the month. --- ## Funding Amount - Each award provides **$1.25 million over 5 years**. - Institutions may receive up to **10% additional indirect costs**, provided in addition to the award. - Funding is not tied to a single project and is intended to provide recipients with the freedom to pursue innovative research directions. --- ## Eligibility - **Academic rank:** Applicants must hold a tenure-track position. - Assistant Professors: Minimum of 3 years in the role by July 1, 2023 (for Jan. 2026 deadline). - Associate Professors: Maximum of 3 years in the role as of July 1, 2023. - Adjunct or acting positions are **not** eligible. - **Degree:** M.D., Ph.D., or M.D./Ph.D. (or equivalent). - **Research commitment:** Minimum of 80% of time devoted to research. - **Institutional requirements:** Research must be conducted at a non-profit institution (U.S. or international). For-profit institutions are **not** eligible. - **Citizenship:** No citizenship restrictions. --- ## Application Process - **Submission:** Applications must be submitted electronically via the [CRI Grants Portal](https://cri.us-1.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp). - **Account:** New applicants must register; returning applicants should use their existing account. - **Required documents (PDF only):** 1. 300-word abstract (non-technical English) 2. Research proposal (max 4 pages) 3. Five key publications, each with a 300-word (or less) summary (no full-text copies required) 4. Curriculum vitae and bibliography (past 5 years/relevant publications) 5. Current research support list - **Formatting:** Single-spaced, 12pt font or larger. - **Deadline:** Applications accepted until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the due date. If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications are due the following Monday. - **Notification:** Candidates are notified in March regarding interview invitations; final decisions follow interviews. --- ## Additional Information - Indirect costs are provided in addition to the award total (up to 10%). - There are no restrictions on citizenship or location, but the research must be at a non-profit institution. - Applicants may resubmit proposals if not funded, with updates reflecting progress. - Intellectual property and revenue-sharing policies apply; see [Invention Disclosure Form](https://www.cancerresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CRI-Invention-Disclosure-Form-1-2025.pdf) and [Revenue Sharing Agreement](https://www.cancerresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Revenue-Sharing-Agreement.pdf) for details. - Awards must be activated within one year of the application deadline. --- ## External Links - [Program Page: CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Program](https://www.cancerresearch.org/lloyd-j-old-star-program) - [CRI Grants Portal (Application Submission)](https://cri.us-1.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp) - [Program FAQs](https://www.cancerresearch.org/programs-faqs) - [Invention Disclosure Form (PDF)](https://www.cancerresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/CRI-Invention-Disclosure-Form-1-2025.pdf) - [Annual Invention Update Form (PDF)](https://www.cancerresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/Annual-Invention-Update-Form-1-2025.pdf) - [Revenue Sharing Agreement (PDF)](https://www.cancerresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Revenue-Sharing-Agreement.pdf) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |------------------------|---------------------------------------------------------------| | General Inquiries | [grants@cancerresearch.org](mailto:grants@cancerresearch.org) | | Phone | (800) 992-2623 | | Funder Contact Page | [Contact CRI](https://www.cancerresearch.org/contact) | | Address | 29 Broadway, Floor 4, New York, NY 10006-3111, USA |

CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Program - Cancer Research Institute

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