[Sontag Foundation](https://sontagfoundation.org)

March 12, 2025 | March 18, 2026

$750,000 total ($150,000/year for 5 years; includes up to $19,500/year indirect costs)

Supports early-career researchers pursuing innovative, high-impact research in brain cancer with substantial funding and career development.

Application portal closes at 11:59pm ET on deadline; all materials must be submitted by this time.

--- ## Description The Sontag Foundation's Distinguished Scientist Award provides significant, multi-year funding to early-career faculty conducting high-risk, high-reward research in the field of brain cancer. The award aims to foster paradigm-shifting science and support the development of future leaders in neuro-oncology. In addition to financial support, recipients join a network of past awardees and participate in annual scientific retreats to enhance collaboration and career growth. The Foundation specifically seeks projects addressing critical barriers in primary brain tumor research and encourages applicants from diverse scientific backgrounds. --- ## Due Dates - March 12, 2025: Full application deadline (application portal closes at 11:59pm ET) - March 18, 2026: Full application deadline (application portal closes at 11:59pm ET) All documents, including letters of recommendation and institutional approvals, must be submitted by the deadline. --- ## Funding Amount - Total award: $750,000 per investigator - Disbursed as $150,000 per year for five years - Up to $19,500/year may be allocated to indirect costs (included in annual amount) - Disbursements are made quarterly to the sponsoring institution - Funding period for 2026 cycle: approximately October 14, 2026 – September 30, 2031 - Awardees must attend an annual scientific retreat (travel and related expenses covered by the Foundation) --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must hold a doctoral degree in a discipline relevant to brain cancer research. - First independent faculty appointment must be: - No earlier than March 1, 2021 and no later than January 1, 2026 (for the 2026 cycle) - At a tax-exempt academic, research, or medical institution in the US or equivalent in Canada - If the institution grants tenure, the appointment must be tenure-track - No citizenship requirement, but position must be at a US or Canadian nonprofit institution - The proposed research must address primary brain tumors (not metastatic brain cancer); clinical trials are not supported - Applicants from any scientific background are welcome; those new to neuro-oncology must have a mentor with brain cancer experience and provide a detailed mentor letter - Multiple applicants per institution are allowed - Re-applicants are permitted but must clearly document substantive changes to their research proposal --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the Sontag Foundation's online grant portal - Required materials include: - Research proposal (max 5 pages including figures; references excluded) - Personal statement (max 1000 words) - Project summary (max 250–300 words, layperson language) - Three letters of recommendation: - Department Chair/Program Leader/Center Director - Postdoc advisor/mentor during training - Professional reference (collaborator, colleague, or mentor) - Institutional officer approval - Mentor letter (if new to brain cancer research) - All documents must be uploaded by the application deadline; late or incomplete applications will not be considered - Proposals are peer-reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Board and a lay committee --- ## Additional Information - Awardees may transfer the award to another institution at the Foundation's discretion, provided the new institution is eligible and agrees to award terms - Typically, 2–6 awards are made annually - The Foundation places strong emphasis on career development and community-building among awardees --- ## External Links - [Sontag Foundation Home](https://sontagfoundation.org) - [About the Distinguished Scientist Award](https://sontagfoundation.org/about-dsa/) - [Grant Application Process & Key Dates](https://sontagfoundation.org/grant-application-process/) - [2026 Application Guidelines & FAQ (PDF)](https://sontagfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/faq_2026_revised_11_18_25.pdf) - [2025 Application FAQ (PDF)](https://sontagfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/faq_2025_revised_11_14_24.pdf) - [Online Application Portal](https://sontag-foundation.wizehive.app/program/distinguished-scientist-award/info?cycleId=1CWpfs7g161Lr7p8poY7Gg) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Title | Email | Phone | Availability | |-----------------|---------------------|------------------------------|---------------|-------------------------| | Georgia Pinner | Program Officer | gpinner@sontagfoundation.org | 904-273-8755 | 8:00am–5:00pm ET | | Shandra Koler | Senior Program Officer| skoler@sontagfoundation.org | 904-273-8755 | 7:30am–4:30pm ET | | General | — | info@sontagfoundation.org | 904-273-8755 | — | For additional details, use the [contact form](https://sontagfoundation.org/contact/).

Distinguished Scientist Award

Sign in to see full grant listing