Young Investigator Award in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

The Young Investigator Award in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia is offered by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating breakthroughs in oncology research and improving patient care worldwide. Since its establishment, the foundation has awarded substantial funding to support clinical and translational cancer research, with a focus on fostering early-career investigators. This specific award targets physicians transitioning from training into independent research careers and aims to build capacity in chronic lymphocytic leukemia research. The purpose of this award is to support promising physician-scientists in conducting hypothesis-driven research focused on chronic lymphocytic leukemia. The program is designed as a mentored award, requiring applicants to work under the guidance of an experienced mentor. The research scope includes both clinical and translational studies, with allowance for preclinical work that demonstrates clear potential for clinical application. Projects may span epidemiology, behavioral science, outcomes research, and health services research, provided they maintain relevance to patient outcomes and clinical advancement. Funding for the award is fixed at 50000 dollars for a one-year period and is distributed in two equal installments. The funds are directed to the sponsoring institution and must primarily support research-related expenses such as personnel, supplies, and equipment. A minimum of 46000 dollars must be used for direct research costs, while indirect costs are capped at 2500 dollars. Limited travel funding is permitted, including required attendance at the ASCO Annual Meeting awards ceremony. Certain costs such as tuition, membership dues, and reimbursable patient care expenses are not allowable. Eligibility is restricted to physicians with a medical degree or international equivalent who are within specific early-career stages, including those in the final years of oncology training or within the first year of a faculty appointment. Applicants must be within ten years of obtaining their medical degree, hold a valid medical license, and commit at least 60 percent of their time to research. A mentor from the sponsoring institution is required, and applicants must either be members of ASCO or have applied for membership. The opportunity is open to both United States and international applicants, with no geographic restrictions. The application process is conducted entirely online through the ASCO application portal and requires extensive documentation. Key components include a detailed research strategy, biostatistical plan, patient impact statement, budget, timeline, mentorship plan, and multiple letters of support. Clinical proposals must include a patient advocate and corresponding documentation. Applications are evaluated through a multi-stage peer review process based on scientific merit, mentorship quality, applicant potential, and institutional support. The application timeline opens on July 1, 2026, with a final submission deadline of March 11, 2027. Notifications are expected in April 2027, and the award period runs from July 1, 2027, through June 30, 2028. The program is structured as an annual competition, with similar timelines expected in future cycles. Applicants must ensure all required materials, including mentor and institutional approvals, are submitted before the deadline, as late submissions are not accepted. Contact for the program is managed through Conquer Cancer, with inquiries directed to the grants administration email. Applicants are encouraged to review eligibility criteria carefully and consult program staff if there is uncertainty. The award represents a competitive opportunity for early-career oncologists to establish independent research trajectories while contributing to advancements in chronic lymphocytic leukemia treatment and care.

Focus on strong hypothesis driven proposal, clear clinical relevance, robust statistical plan, and strong mentorship support