Key Grant / Fellowship Opportunities for Postdocs in Cancer Research

1. American Cancer Society (ACS) Postdoctoral Fellowships

• ACS supports postdocs doing cancer research across basic, clinical, epidemiology, behavioral, health services, etc. American Cancer Society

• Awards are up to 3 years, with progressive stipends. 

• Paid parental leave and fellowship allowance included. 

• Deadlines: often June 1 and December 1.

2. NCI / NIH Cancer-Focused Training Awards

• NCI F99/K00 Predoctoral → Postdoc Transition Award — supports trainees finishing their PhD and transitioning into cancer postdoc. Cancer.gov

• NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) — multidisciplinary postdoctoral training in cancer prevention (basic, clinical, population, etc.). https://prevention.cancer.gov/research-areas/networks-consortia-programs/cpfp

• Interagency Oncology Task Force (IOTF) Fellowship — training in regulatory sciences, policy, and research review (NCI + FDA). Interagency Oncology Task Force Fellowship - NCI

• NCI Technology Transfer (TTC) Fellowship — helps postdocs develop skills in tech transfer and commercialization. TTC Fellowships - NCI

3. Cancer Research Institute (CRI) Postdoctoral Fellowships

• CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship: supports early-career scientists in cancer immunology. CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship | Cancer Research Institute

• Provides a 3-year stipend: e.g., $74K, $76K, $78K over years 1–3.

• Also gives institutional allowance for travel, supplies, etc. 

• CRI Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship: for people working at the intersection of immunology and computational biology / data science. Immuno-Informatics Postdoctoral Fellowship | Cancer Research Institute

• Same 3-year structure and similar stipend. 

• No citizenship restrictions; can be hosted at non-profits. 

4. American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Fellowships

• AACR Anna D. Barker Basic Cancer Research Fellowship: $110,000 over 2 years to support postdocs or clinical fellows working on basic cancer research. AACR

• AACR Clinical & Translational Fellowship: for postdocs doing clinical or translational cancer research. AACR

• AACR Cancer Interception Research Fellowship: supports research in early detection, prevention, or early intervention (“cancer interception”). AACR

• AACR Cancer Disparities Research Fellowship: for work on health disparities in cancer (e.g., epidemiology, population science). AACR

• AACR-ALK Positive Lung Cancer Research Fellowship: focused fellowship for ALK-positive lung cancer research (postdoc or clinical). AACR

5. Damon Runyon Cancer Research Fellowship

• Very prestigious fellowship for postdoctoral cancer researchers (basic or translational). 

• Duration: 4 years, with funding contingent on progress. 

• Also offers child allowance and has a loan-repayment component for eligible fellows. 

• There is also a Quantitative Biology Fellowship from Damon Runyon for computational scientists working on cancer. 

6. Jane Coffin Childs (JCC) Memorial Fund Fellowship

• Supports 3-year postdoctoral fellowships specifically in cancer research / medical research. research.weill.cornell.edu+1

• Very competitive; historically a “prestigious” cancer fellowship. Wikipedia

• Eligibility: limited postdoc experience (often ≤1 year), and timing of PhD conferral matters. research.weill.cornell.edu