Damon Runyon Physician-Scientist Training Award
Supports early-career MD or DO physician-scientists with mentorship and funding to advance independent clinical or translational cancer research careers.
Funder: Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
Due Dates: December 1, 2026 (Full application deadline, 4:00 PM ET via Proposal Central)
Funding Amounts: $460,000 total over 4 years; annual amounts escalate from $100,000 to $130,000; up to $100,000 additional for medical school debt repayment; $1,000/year per dependent child allowance.
Summary: Supports early-career physician-scientists in clinical or translational cancer research with mentorship, training, and resources to advance their independent research careers.
Key Information: Applicants must hold an MD or DO (MD/PhD not eligible), have completed clinical training, and be U.S. Specialty Board eligible; 80% research effort required.
Description
This award provides comprehensive support to early-career physician-scientists (MD or DO only) pursuing research careers in clinical or translational cancer investigation. The program is designed to address both the financial and training barriers that deter physicians from research careers by offering substantial salary support, research funding, mentorship, and institutional commitment. The award also features a loan repayment program for medical school debt and a dependent child allowance, aiming to ensure recipients have the resources and protected time necessary to advance as independent investigators in cancer research.
