This week’s ten oncology grant opportunities prioritize projects that translate strong ideas into clear outcomes. Funding targets early‑stage studies, clinician‑scientist and early‑career development, and implementation awards that test approaches in real clinical settings. Areas covered include precision diagnostics, computational oncology, immunotherapy, radiation and surgical advances, pediatric oncology, survivorship, palliative care, and capacity building in low‑resource settings. Most programs favor specific, operational proposals with realistic plans, appropriate collaborators, and budgets aligned to the scope of work.
1. American Brain Tumor Association Medical Student Summer Fellowships
Short-term stipends support medical students conducting brain tumor research under experienced mentors to encourage careers in neuro‑oncology. Projects may be basic, translational, or clinical but must focus on primary brain tumors.
Eligibility: Enrolled medical students (typically first–third year) at accredited schools with a defined primary brain tumor project and an ABTA‑eligible mentor; institutional approvals required.
Funding: Fixed stipend for an 8–12 week full‑time summer research experience; funds paid per ABTA policy.
Deadline: Application due January 14, 2026; fellowship term Summer 2026.
2. Sontag Foundation Distinguished Scientist Award — Brain Cancer
A multi‑year career development award for early‑career investigators in the U.S. and Canada supporting high‑risk, high‑impact brain cancer research to establish leaders in neuro‑oncology.
Eligibility: Early‑career faculty at tax‑exempt institutions in the U.S. or Canada (first independent appointment typically between March 1, 2020 and January 1, 2025 for the 2026 cycle); MD and/or PhD or equivalent; strong track record in brain tumor research.
Funding: USD 750,000 over five years (USD 150,000/year), inclusive of allowable indirect costs; supports salary, staff, supplies, and project costs.
Deadline: Full application due March 18, 2026, 11:59 pm ET; awards announced Fall 2026.
3. Leukemia Research Foundation New Investigator Grant Program
Seed funding to jumpstart careers of new independent investigators studying leukemia or MDS, enabling preliminary data generation for larger awards.
Eligibility: Within seven years of first faculty appointment (adjustments for career interruptions allowed); independent tenure‑track or equivalent faculty at a non‑profit institution; no active grants ≥ $175K/year in direct costs; international applicants eligible.
Funding: Up to USD 150,000 total over two years for direct project expenses; no indirect costs allowed. Project term July 1, 2026 – June 30, 2028 with interim reporting.
Deadline: Letters of Intent due February 6, 2026 (noon CT).
4. AACR‑EMD Serono “I’M IN” Oncodisparity Fellowship for Bladder Cancer
A one‑year postdoctoral fellowship to support research addressing disparities in bladder cancer care and outcomes.
Eligibility: PhD, MD, or equivalent in a postdoctoral or clinical research fellowship (within five years of degree); confirmed position and mentor by July 2026; projects must focus on bladder cancer disparities; AACR membership required.
Funding: USD 65,000 for one year to cover stipend, benefits, and limited research costs; no indirect costs.
Deadline: Full application due February 24, 2026, by 1:00 PM ET; decisions by May 2026; fellowship begins July 1, 2026.
5. American Cancer Society Catalyst Award
One‑year awards to bridge promising early‑career projects that scored well but were not funded, enabling additional experiments and resubmissions.
Eligibility: Early‑career independent investigators who meet ACS Research Scholar Grant criteria (typically within 10 years of first faculty appointment); must have submitted an ACS RSG or NCI R01 in 2024–2025 that was scored but not funded; full‑time faculty at a U.S. institution.
Funding: USD 150,000 in direct costs for one year; no indirect costs. Funds must support aims from the unfunded application.
Deadline: Full application due January 5, 2026 via ProposalCentral; award notifications expected by March 2026; grant term begins May 1, 2026.
6. Lustgarten Foundation Innovation & Collaboration Program
Supports collaborative, high‑impact pancreatic cancer research focused on early detection, biology, and treatment, with emphasis on multidisciplinary and multi‑institutional teams.
Eligibility: Independent investigators at non‑profit institutions; projects must focus on pancreatic cancer; international applicants eligible subject to compliance.
Funding: Multi‑year grants (typically two–three years) with budgets in the low six‑figure range per year; allowable costs include personnel, supplies, services, and limited equipment per RFA.
Deadline: Full proposal deadline January 5, 2026; award start mid‑2026.
7. NCCN Foundation Young Investigator Award Program
Supports early‑career clinicians and scientists at NCCN Member Institutions conducting independent cancer research to aid transition to research independence.
Eligibility: Assistant Professor, Instructor, or equivalent at an NCCN Member Institution; MD, DO, PhD, or equivalent; committed mentor and institutional support required; internal nomination required (one candidate per institution typically).
Funding: USD 150,000 over two years; indirect costs allowed up to 8%; funds support personnel, supplies, and limited conference travel.
Deadline: Final application to NCCN due January 21, 2026, 5:00 pm ET; award term typically mid‑2026 to mid‑2028.
8. AHA Data Grant on CKM Syndrome in Cancer Patients and Survivors
Funds analyses of real‑world datasets to quantify and address cardiovascular, kidney, and metabolic (CKM) disease in current or former cancer patients, focusing on prevalence, management, and outcomes.
Eligibility: Independent investigators at academic, clinical, or public‑health institutions globally; proposals must analyze CKM conditions in cancer populations and demonstrate access to suitable large datasets; multidisciplinary teams encouraged.
Funding: AHA targeted research grant with budgets and duration per the RFP; indirect costs capped according to AHA policy.
Deadline: Letter of Intent due January 19, 2026; full application by invitation due March 23, 2026; earliest start August 1, 2026.
9. UC Cancer Research Coordinating Committee Faculty Seed Grants
One‑year internal seed grants for University of California faculty to develop new cancer research projects and generate preliminary data for external funding.
Eligibility: Academic Senate faculty at any UC campus; cancer‑focused projects across disciplines; eligible categories include New Assistant Professor and Regular faculty; one LOI and one full proposal per PI per cycle.
Funding: One‑year awards at modest six‑figure seed levels with caps and indirect cost rules in the annual RFP; supports personnel, supplies, and direct project costs.
Deadline: Letter of Intent due January 22, 2026, 12:00 noon Pacific; full proposals by invitation due April 2, 2026, 12:00 noon Pacific; award start early 2027.
10. AACR‑Mark Foundation Chemistry in Cancer Research Grants
Supports chemistry‑driven cancer research, including drug discovery, chemical biology, molecular imaging, and diagnostics, to advance cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
Eligibility: Independent investigators (Assistant Professor or higher) at academic, medical, or nonprofit institutions worldwide; projects must apply chemical science approaches to cancer problems; AACR membership required by LOI deadline.
Funding: USD 435,000 over three years (up to 10% indirect costs permitted); grant term September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2029, with annual progress reviews.
Deadline: Letter of Intent due December 16, 2025, 1:00 PM ET; LOI decisions March 2026 with invited full applications expected April–May 2026; awards announced by July 2026.
More information for each program is available on the respective funder’s website.
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