Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Members Grant Program

The Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty Members program is administered by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT), a state agency established by the Texas Legislature to advance cancer research, prevention, and innovation across the state. CPRIT is authorized to issue substantial funding through general obligation bonds to strengthen research capacity, foster scientific breakthroughs, and expand the life sciences ecosystem in Texas. This particular funding mechanism is part of CPRIT’s Academic Research Program and aligns with its priorities of attracting top-tier researchers, enhancing institutional capabilities, and reducing the burden of cancer through innovative research. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support the recruitment of highly promising early-career investigators who are pursuing their first tenure-track faculty appointment at the assistant professor level. The program is designed to provide Texas institutions with a competitive advantage in attracting exceptional cancer researchers who have demonstrated strong academic performance, innovation during training, and significant potential for impactful contributions to cancer research. Funded projects may address a wide range of cancer-related topics, including biology, prevention, detection, treatment, survivorship, and population-based research, with particular emphasis on areas aligned with CPRIT’s strategic priorities. The award provides up to 2,000,000 dollars in total funding over a five-year period and is intended to support the research program of the recruited principal investigator. Allowable uses of funds include research-related expenses and limited indirect costs capped at 5 percent of the total award. However, funds may not be used for the principal investigator’s salary or for construction or renovation of laboratory space. Institutions must demonstrate strong financial commitment to the investigator’s development, including matching support equal to or exceeding 50 percent of the CPRIT award. This institutional contribution must include salary support and additional research funding and must be clearly documented in the application. Eligibility is limited to Texas-based nonprofit research institutions, including public and private institutions of higher education and academic health centers. Applicants must nominate a specific principal investigator who has completed doctoral training but has not yet held a tenure-track assistant professor position. The nominated individual must commit at least 70 percent effort to research activities and demonstrate exceptional potential for independence and leadership in cancer research. Applications must be submitted by institutional leadership, such as a president, provost, or dean, through CPRIT’s online submission system. The application process requires submission through the CPRIT Application Receipt System and includes multiple components such as summaries of research aims, institutional commitment documentation, letters of support, curriculum vitae, research plans, collaboration strategies, and recommendation letters. Applications are reviewed by the CPRIT Scientific Review Council based on criteria including the quality and potential of the investigator, the scientific merit of the proposed research, relevance to cancer priorities, and the strength of institutional support. Recommended applications proceed through additional review stages before final approval by the CPRIT Oversight Committee. The program operates on a continuous submission basis within defined review cycles. For the current cycle, applications are accepted from June 23, 2025 through June 22, 2026, with multiple review deadlines throughout the year as outlined in the schedule. Awards are announced on a rolling basis following review and approval. The performance period for funded projects is up to five years, and recipients are required to submit annual progress reports and comply with contractual and reporting obligations. This funding opportunity is part of an ongoing recruitment initiative and is expected to recur annually as part of CPRIT’s broader strategy to strengthen cancer research in Texas. Institutions and applicants are encouraged to align proposals with CPRIT’s priority areas and demonstrate strong institutional commitment to maximize competitiveness. For assistance, applicants may contact CPRIT through its helpdesk or programmatic email channels provided in the solicitation materials.

Strong institutional commitment and clear demonstration of PI potential for independent cancer research are critical for success; align proposal with CPRIT priority areas