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

June 1, 2026 | December 1, 2026

Up to 3 years; stipends of $66,000 (year 1), $68,000 (year 2), $70,000 (year 3) plus $4,000/year allowance and $1,500 in final year for travel

Supports new investigators in postdoctoral research training to launch independent careers in cancer research.

Applicants must have received their doctoral degree within 3 years and not hold a faculty or staff scientist position.

--- ## Description This fellowship provides support for postdoctoral researchers seeking advanced training in cancer research, with the goal of helping them establish independent research careers. The program emphasizes broadening the applicant's research experience and professional development, and applications are evaluated on how well the fellowship will enhance the candidate's potential for future independence in cancer research. --- ## Due Dates - June 1, 2026: Full application deadline - December 1, 2026: Full application deadline Applications are accepted twice annually. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, submissions are accepted the next business day. --- ## Funding Amount - **Duration:** Up to 3 years - **Stipend:** - Year 1: $66,000 - Year 2: $68,000 - Year 3: $70,000 - **Fellowship Allowance:** $4,000 per year for health insurance, workshops, and conference expenses - **Final Year Travel:** Additional $1,500 for attendance at the ACS Postdoctoral Fellows Symposium or a domestic scientific meeting - **Parental Leave:** Up to 12 weeks of paid leave per year, with grant term and stipend extended accordingly - **No indirect costs allowed; stipends may be supplemented by the institution if 100% research effort is maintained** --- ## Eligibility - Must be in a postdoctoral position at a US academic institution or eligible non-profit at the time of application - Open to US citizens, permanent residents, and non-citizens with appropriate visa or lawful status - Must have received their terminal doctoral degree within 3 years of the application deadline (clinical-only training time is not counted) - Must have completed 3 or fewer years of postdoctoral research training by the application deadline - Applicants with faculty appointments (instructor, assistant professor) or who are research/staff scientists are **not** eligible - Only one postdoctoral fellowship application per cycle is permitted - Exceptions to eligibility due to extenuating circumstances may be requested at least 6 weeks before the deadline --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted electronically via [ProposalCentral](https://proposalcentral.com/) - Required materials include: - Application form - Research and training plan - Mentor and department head endorsement - NIH-format biosketch - Budget and justification - Institutional and mentor letters of support - See [ACS Grant Application Instructions](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-instructions.pdf) for detailed requirements - For eligibility questions or exceptions, contact [grant.eligibility@cancer.org](mailto:grant.eligibility@cancer.org) at least 6 weeks before the deadline --- ## Additional Information - Fellows are expected to devote 100% effort to the research project - Only one resubmission is allowed for unfunded applications - Parental leave is supported and extends both stipend and grant term - Recipients may not hold another postdoctoral fellowship award concurrently - See [ACS Grant Policies](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-policies.pdf) for full policy details --- ## External Links - [Program Page: Postdoctoral Fellowships](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/postdoctoral-fellowships.html) - [ACS Grant Application Instructions (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-instructions.pdf) - [ACS Grant Policies (PDF)](https://www.cancer.org/content/dam/cancer-org/research/extramural-grants-documents/all-grant-policies.pdf) - [ProposalCentral Application Portal](https://proposalcentral.com/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Phone | |------------------------|--------------------------------------------|-------------------| | Grants Office | [grants@cancer.org](mailto:grants@cancer.org) | +1 800-227-2345 | | Eligibility Questions | [grant.eligibility@cancer.org](mailto:grant.eligibility@cancer.org) | | | Grants Applications Manager | [Annette Jordan](mailto:annette.jordan@cancer.org) | | | Senior Scientific Director, Career Growth & Research Excellence | [Kathy Goss, PhD](https://www.cancer.org/research/acs-researchers/kathleen-goss-bio.html) | | | Program Scientist | [Nicole Lopanik, PhD](mailto:nicole.lopanik@cancer.org) | | For additional staff contacts, see the [ACS Extramural Discovery Science Contacts](https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/extramural-grants-staff-contacts.html).

Postdoctoral Fellowships

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