This week’s ten oncology grant opportunities prioritize projects that translate strong ideas into measurable outcomes. Programs support early-stage studies, clinician‑scientist and early‑career development, and implementation work tested in clinical settings. Areas covered include precision diagnostics, computational oncology, immunotherapy, radiation and surgical advances, pediatric oncology, survivorship and palliative care, and capacity building in resource-limited settings. Funders favor specific, operational proposals with realistic plans, appropriate collaborators, and budgets matched to scope and timelines.
1. American Brain Tumor Association Medical Student Summer Fellowships
Short-term stipends support medical students conducting brain tumor research under experienced mentors to attract trainees into neuro‑oncology. Projects must focus on primary brain tumors and may be basic, translational, or clinical. Eligible applicants are enrolled medical students (typically years one–three) with an ABTA‑eligible mentor and institutional approvals. The award covers an 8–12 week summer research experience; funds are paid per ABTA policy. Application deadline: January 14, 2026. Fellowship term: Summer 2026. More information: program website.
2. Sontag Foundation Distinguished Scientist Award — Brain Cancer
This career development award supports early‑career investigators in the U.S. and Canada pursuing high‑risk, high‑impact brain cancer research that could transform understanding or treatment of brain tumors. Applicants must be early‑career faculty with an independent appointment in the eligible window and an MD and/or PhD (or equivalent). The award provides USD 750,000 over five years (USD 150,000 per year) to cover salary, staff, supplies, and project costs. Application deadline: March 18, 2026, 11:59 pm ET. Awards announced fall 2026. More information: program website.
3. Leukemia Research Foundation New Investigator Grant Program
The LRF New Investigator Grant offers up to USD 150,000 over two years to early independent investigators launching leukemia or MDS research programs. Applicants must be within seven years of their first faculty appointment (with allowable adjustments for career interruptions), hold an independent faculty position at a nonprofit, and not have active large grants (≥ USD 175,000/year). Funds support PI and staff salaries, supplies, and related research expenses; no indirect costs allowed. LOI deadline: February 6, 2026 (noon CT). Project term: July 1, 2026–June 30, 2028. More information: program website.
4. AACR‑EMD Serono “I’M IN” Oncodisparity Fellowship for Bladder Cancer
This one‑year postdoctoral fellowship supports research on cancer health disparities in bladder cancer. Applicants must hold a PhD, MD, or equivalent and be within five years of their doctoral degree, with a confirmed postdoc or clinical research position and a mentor by July 2026. The award provides USD 65,000 for salary and benefits, with limited funds for supplies and travel; no indirect costs allowed. Full application deadline: February 24, 2026, 1:00 pm ET. Fellowship term: July 1, 2026–June 30, 2027. More information: program website.
5. American Cancer Society Catalyst Award
The ACS Catalyst Award provides a one‑year, nonrenewable bridge grant to early‑career independent investigators who submitted competitive but unfunded ACS RSG or NCI R01 applications in 2024–2025. Eligible applicants are within ACS RSG eligibility (typically within 10 years of first faculty appointment) and must hold a full‑time independent faculty position at a U.S. institution. The award supplies USD 150,000 in direct costs for one year to support protected time and research expenses aligned with the original proposal; no indirect costs allowed. Full application deadline: January 5, 2026 via ProposalCentral. Award notifications expected by March 2026; grant term begins around May 1, 2026. More information: program website.
6. Lustgarten Foundation Innovation & Collaboration Program
The Lustgarten I&C Program funds multidisciplinary, collaborative pancreatic cancer research with potential to advance early detection, biology, or treatment. Independent investigators at nonprofit institutions may apply; multi‑PI and multi‑institutional teams are strongly encouraged. Grants are multi‑year (typically two–three years) with budgets in the low six‑figure range per year to support personnel, supplies, services, and limited equipment per the RFA. Full proposal deadline: January 5, 2026. Awards begin mid‑2026. More information: program website.
7. NCCN Foundation Young Investigator Award Program
The NCCN Foundation YIA supports early‑career clinicians and scientists at NCCN Member Institutions to advance independent cancer research and transition to research independence. Candidates must be nominated by an NCCN Member Institution and hold a first full‑time faculty appointment (assistant professor or equivalent). Awards provide USD 150,000 over two years; indirect costs allowed up to 8%. Final application deadline to NCCN: January 21, 2026, 5:00 pm ET. Award term typically mid‑2026 to mid‑2028. More information: program website.
8. AHA Data Grant on CKM Syndrome in Cancer Patients and Survivors
The American Heart Association’s Data Grant funds analyses of large real‑world datasets to study cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic (CKM) disease among cancer patients and survivors. Applicants must be independent investigators with access to suitable datasets; multidisciplinary teams in oncology, cardiology, nephrology, epidemiology, and data science are encouraged. Budget and duration follow AHA policies for the RFP; indirect costs are capped per AHA rules. LOI deadline: January 19, 2026. Full application (by invitation) deadline: March 23, 2026. Earliest start date: August 1, 2026. More information: program website.
9. UC Cancer Research Coordinating Committee Faculty Seed Grants
The UC CRCC Faculty Seed Grants provide one‑year internal funding to University of California faculty for new cancer research projects across the cancer continuum. Eligible applicants are Academic Senate faculty at any UC campus; categories include New Assistant Professor and Regular faculty. Awards are modest six‑figure seed grants to generate preliminary data for external funding; specific caps and indirect cost policies are in the annual RFP. LOI deadline: January 22, 2026, 12:00 noon Pacific. Full proposal (by invitation) deadline: April 2, 2026, 12:00 noon Pacific. Award start: early 2027. More information: program website.
10. AACR‑Mark Foundation Chemistry in Cancer Research Grants
These grants fund chemistry‑driven solutions to cancer problems, including drug discovery, chemical biology, molecular imaging, and diagnostics. Applicants must hold independent research positions (assistant professor or higher) at nonprofit institutions globally and submit an LOI demonstrating a chemistry‑based approach. AACR membership is required by the LOI deadline. Awards provide USD 435,000 over 36 months (approximately USD 145,000 per year) with up to 10% indirect costs allowed. LOI deadline: December 16, 2025, 1:00 pm ET. LOI decisions in March 2026; invited full applications expected April–May 2026. Awardees announced by July 2026 for a September 1, 2026 start. More information: program website.
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