Young Investigator Award in Mantle Cell Lymphoma

The Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award in Mantle Cell Lymphoma is a research funding opportunity offered by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving patient care worldwide. Since its establishment in 1984, the foundation has awarded over 215 million dollars through more than 10500 grants, supporting clinical and translational oncology research. This specific award is designed to foster the development of early-career physician scientists by providing financial support during the transition from fellowship training to independent academic faculty roles, with a focused emphasis on mantle cell lymphoma research. The primary purpose of this award is to support hypothesis-driven research projects that have both preclinical and clinical relevance, particularly those that can ultimately translate into improved patient outcomes. Eligible projects may include laboratory-based studies, clinical trials, epidemiological investigations, behavioral research, or health services research, provided they demonstrate a clear pathway toward clinical application. The program strongly emphasizes feasibility within a one-year timeframe, requiring applicants to present well-defined aims, measurable outcomes, and a realistic timeline for completion. Funding for the award consists of a total of 50000 dollars distributed over one year in two equal installments. The funds are intended to support direct research expenses such as salary support, supplies, equipment, and limited travel, with strict guidelines requiring at least 46000 dollars to be allocated toward research activities. Indirect costs are capped at 5 percent, and up to 1500 dollars may be used for travel related to the project, including attendance at the mandatory Conquer Cancer Grants and Awards Ceremony. The award does not require cost sharing or matching funds. Eligibility is limited to physicians holding an MD, DO, or international equivalent, including MD PhD holders, who are within defined early-career stages. Applicants must be within two years of completing oncology subspecialty training, enrolled in a program with a dedicated research year, or within their first year of a full-time academic faculty appointment. Additional requirements include holding an active medical license, maintaining at least 60 percent effort in research, being affiliated with an oncology research environment, and securing a qualified mentor. Applicants must also be members of ASCO or have submitted a membership application at the time of submission. There are no geographic restrictions, and both domestic and international applicants are eligible. The application process is conducted entirely online through the ASCO application portal and involves multiple required components. These include detailed research proposals, a biostatistical plan, patient impact statements, budget justification, timeline documentation, biosketches, and multiple letters of support from mentors, institutions, and collaborators. Clinical proposals must include engagement with a patient advocate, and all submissions must adhere to strict formatting and page limits. Applications undergo a rigorous multi-stage peer review process, including scientific evaluation, statistical review, and patient advocate assessment, with final decisions based on criteria such as scientific merit, mentor support, applicant potential, and institutional resources. The timeline for this opportunity begins with the opening of applications on July 1, 2026, and concludes with a submission deadline of March 11, 2027 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time. Award notifications are expected in April 2027, and the grant term runs from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028. This award is offered on a recurring annual basis as part of the broader Young Investigator Award program. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparations early due to the complexity of the application requirements and the need for coordination with mentors and institutional stakeholders. For inquiries, applicants may contact the program administrators via email at grants at conquer dot org.

Focus on a strong hypothesis-driven proposal with clear feasibility within one year; ensure mentor strength and detailed mentorship plan; incorporate patient impact and advocate engagement especially for clinical studies; provide rigorous statistical plan and clearly defined outcomes