ASTRO-AAPM Physics Resident Postdoctoral Fellow Seed Grant

The ASTRO AAPM Physics Resident Postdoctoral Fellow Seed Grant is a jointly funded initiative by the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and the American Society for Radiation Oncology. These organizations are leading professional societies dedicated to advancing the science and clinical application of medical physics and radiation oncology. Through their combined Education and Research funding mechanisms, they aim to support early career scientists and foster innovation in radiation oncology physics. This seed grant reflects their shared mission to strengthen the research pipeline and cultivate the next generation of leaders in the field. The purpose of this grant program is to provide financial support for novel research projects that advance radiation oncology through physics based approaches. The funding is specifically intended to support early career investigators, including medical physics residents and postdoctoral fellows, who are engaged in research related to radiation oncology. By offering seed funding, the program encourages the development of innovative ideas that may later lead to larger scale research efforts or external funding opportunities. The scope of supported work includes physics related investigations that contribute to improving cancer treatment, imaging, or therapeutic methodologies within radiation oncology. The grant provides funding of up to fifty thousand dollars per award, with up to two awards anticipated for the funding cycle. The award period spans approximately one year, beginning in early August and concluding in June of the following year. The funding does not support indirect costs, meaning that all awarded funds must be allocated directly to project related expenses. This restriction emphasizes the program’s focus on maximizing direct research impact and ensuring that funds are used efficiently to advance scientific outcomes. Eligibility for the program is limited to individuals who are current members of the American Association of Physicists in Medicine and who demonstrate a clear commitment to a career in radiation oncology related physics research. Applicants must be either medical physics residents or postdoctoral fellows and must be affiliated with an institution that provides a strong research and clinical training environment. The institution must also have qualified faculty available to serve as mentors. For residents specifically, the institution must commit to allocating at least fifty percent of the applicant’s time toward research for a minimum of one year, ensuring sufficient dedication to the proposed project. The application process requires eligible candidates to access and submit their materials through the AAPM system, which is restricted to members. Applicants are expected to provide detailed research proposals and must disclose if the same or similar application has been submitted to other funding sources. This requirement allows the review committee to evaluate overlap and ensure fair funding decisions. While specific application components are referenced externally, the process emphasizes transparency, originality, and alignment with program goals. Applications are evaluated based on their potential to advance the field of radiation oncology, the scientific merit of the proposed research, and the applicant’s commitment to a career in the field. Additional considerations include the strength of the mentoring environment and the feasibility of the project within the proposed timeframe. Decision notifications are typically issued by mid June, prior to the start of the funding period, allowing selected applicants to prepare for project initiation. The application deadline for the current cycle was March 18, 2026, with submissions required by late evening Eastern Time. The program follows an annual cycle, with awards beginning later in the same calendar year. Applicants are encouraged to maintain active membership status and prepare early for future cycles. For questions or additional guidance, applicants may contact the program administrators via the official grants and fellowships email address provided by the funding organization.