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Funding callMedicine and clinical research · United States

American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grants – December 2026 cycle

American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grants support independent investigators at US academic or eligible non-profit institutions within 8 years of their first independent appointment, with up to 4 years of funding at US$215,000 per year in direct costs plus 10% indirect costs. This guide focuses on the 1 December 2026 cycle and covers research areas, eligibility and readiness checks, what panels typically value and how to plan an application.

Pubrica InsightsEditorial team, reviewed by a subject specialist
Next deadline
1 December 2026
Last checked
10 November 2026
Funder
American Cancer Society
Sources
1
Apply through the official call

Key dates

Application deadline
1 December 2026
Details last checked
10 November 2026
Apply through the official call

About the call

Funder
American Cancer Society
Country
United States
Scheme type
Project grant
Funding
Up to 4 years at US$215,000 per year direct costs plus 10% indirect
Eligibility
Independent investigators at US academic or eligible non-profit institutions within 8 years of their first independent appointment, holding no more than one R01-equivalent grant.
Scope
Medicine and clinical research

Topics consistent with the call

  • Basic research on cancer biology and tumour mechanisms
  • Translational research linking laboratory findings to cancer care
  • Cancer prevention, early detection and screening research
  • Health equity and disparities in cancer outcomes
  • Survivorship, quality of life and supportive care research
  • Health services and policy research in cancer control

Based on the published scope; the official page sets out the full themes and requirements.

Is your work a fit? Check before you apply

  1. Confirm that you are within 8 years of your first independent appointment.
  2. Check that you hold no more than one R01-equivalent grant.
  3. Confirm that your institution is a US academic or eligible non-profit institution.
  4. Plan a budget within the stated limits and check current guidelines and priorities.
  5. Prepare a complete, institutionally approved application before 1 December 2026.

Why This Funding Call Matters

The early years of an independent research career are often the most difficult to fund, especially for investigators building their first major programme. Research Scholar Grants support early-career independent investigators across the cancer research spectrum, from basic science to population and health services research. For eligible researchers, the scheme offers multi-year support that can help establish a research programme, generate data for later funding and contribute to the American Cancer Society’s mission to reduce the burden of cancer.

Who Should Apply

Academic backgrounds

  • Cancer biology
  • Oncology
  • Epidemiology
  • Behavioural science
  • Health services research

Institutions and sectors

  • US universities and medical schools
  • Cancer centres
  • Academic medical centres
  • Eligible non-profit research institutions

What Reviewers Typically Value

  1. A significant research question with clear relevance to cancer.
  2. An innovative approach that builds on the investigator’s expertise.
  3. A feasible plan supported by preliminary data and appropriate methods.
  4. Evidence that the applicant is establishing an independent research programme.

Ideas You Could Develop

Tumour microenvironment and immune evasionA project examining how stromal cells in the tumour microenvironment suppress anti-tumour immune responses.
Improving screening uptake in underserved communitiesA study testing a community-based outreach approach to increase colorectal cancer screening among underserved populations.
Survivorship care for young adultsA study of long-term physical and psychosocial outcomes among young adult cancer survivors and their unmet care needs.

Your Plan to the Deadline

A suggested schedule working back from 1 December 2026. Adjust it to the stage your work has reached.

  1. By 6 Oct 2026

    Read the call documents; confirm eligibility, budget limits, assessment criteria and institutional requirements.

  2. By 20 Oct 2026

    Agree the research question, aims, team and partners; contact your research office.

  3. By 3 Nov 2026

    Draft the case for support, methods, impact and budget.

  4. By 17 Nov 2026

    Obtain internal review, letters of support and institutional sign-off.

  5. By 26 Nov 2026

    Final checks against the funder’s guidance and formatting rules.

  6. By 1 Dec 2026

    Submit through the funder’s system before the deadline.

What you gain

  • Funding for the research, team and resources it needs.
  • Recognition from a competitive, peer-reviewed process.
  • Reviewer feedback that strengthens future applications.
  • A track record for larger grants and fellowships.

What happens after you apply

  1. Eligibility check: the funder confirms the application meets the call rules.
  2. Peer review: external reviewers assess the proposal against the published criteria.
  3. Panel: a committee ranks proposals; some schemes include an interview.
  4. Decision: outcomes are released on the funder’s timetable.
  5. Award: successful applicants agree terms and reporting requirements before starting.

What the Funder Are Looking For

The American Cancer Society is looking for independent investigators within 8 years of their first independent appointment, holding no more than one R01-equivalent grant, who propose significant cancer research. Strong applications typically combine a clear question, an innovative approach, preliminary data and a plan to build an independent programme. Eligibility, funding limits, priorities and submission requirements should be confirmed in the official American Cancer Society guidelines.

Read the official pageThis guide summarises the opportunity. Confirm deadlines, eligibility and requirements on the official page before you plan your work, and record the date you checked it.Open the official page

Expert help

How Pubrica Can Help

Pubrica’s subject specialists can help you prepare a competitive proposal, planned back from the deadline. You remain the author of your work.

Grant writingProposal writing structured to the funder’s guidance and assessment criteria. Literature review and gap analysisThe evidence base and the gap your proposal addresses. Study designStudy design and methods that reviewers can assess. Statistical analysis planSample size and analysis plans for the proposal. Data management planData management and sharing plans to funder requirements. Proposal editingEditing of the full proposal for clarity and consistency.
Go to the official page

FAQs

Questions Researchers Ask

The next published deadline is 1 December 2026. Dates can change, so confirm them on the official page before you plan your work.

Eligibility allows applicants to hold no more than one R01-equivalent grant, so a single such grant may not exclude you. Applicants should confirm how the American Cancer Society defines R01-equivalent funding in the official guidelines.

Independent investigators at US academic or eligible non-profit institutions within 8 years of their first independent appointment, holding no more than one R01-equivalent grant. Confirm the full eligibility rules in the call documents.

Yes. Pubrica’s specialists can review, write, edit and format your proposal. You remain the author and the person responsible for the submission.

Sources

  1. American Cancer Society. (2026). American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grants – December 2026 cycle. Retrieved 10 November 2026, from https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/research-scholar-grants.html

How to cite this page

Pubrica Insights. (2026). American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grants – December 2026 cycle. Pubrica. https://pubrica.com/insights/calls-and-conferences/american-cancer-society-research-scholar-grants-december-2026-cycle/

  • Cancer research
  • American Cancer Society
  • Early-career investigators
  • Research grants
  • United States

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American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grants – December 2026 cycleNext deadline 1 December 2026

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