Young Investigator Award in Pediatric Brain Tumors

The Young Investigator Award in Pediatric Brain Tumors is administered by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating breakthroughs in cancer research and improving patient outcomes worldwide. Since its founding, the foundation has funded thousands of research projects aimed at advancing clinical and translational oncology. This specific funding opportunity is part of the Young Investigator Award program and focuses on pediatric brain tumor research, supporting early-career physician-scientists as they transition from training into independent academic roles. The primary purpose of this award is to promote high-quality research that advances the understanding, diagnosis, and treatment of pediatric brain tumors. The program emphasizes hypothesis-driven projects that can be completed within a one-year timeframe and that demonstrate clear clinical relevance or translational potential. Both clinical and preclinical research proposals are eligible, provided that preclinical work is designed with a clear path toward clinical application. The award is structured as a mentored research experience, requiring applicants to conduct their project under the guidance of an experienced mentor who supports both scientific development and career progression. Funding for this opportunity consists of a total award amount of 50000 dollars for a one-year period. The funds are distributed in two equal installments and must be used in accordance with strict budgetary guidelines. At least 46000 dollars must be allocated to direct research support, including personnel, supplies, and equipment. Up to 1500 dollars may be used for travel, including attendance at the Conquer Cancer Grants and Awards Ceremony, and up to 5 percent of the total award may be used for indirect institutional costs. The funds are awarded to the sponsoring institution and must align with the approved project scope and budget, with limitations on allowable expenses and requirements for financial reporting. Eligibility is restricted to physicians holding an MD, DO, or international equivalent who are in the early stages of their oncology careers. Applicants must be within the last two years of their final subspecialty training or fellowship, or meet specific exception criteria related to research-focused training structures or recent program completion. Additional requirements include being within ten years of receiving a medical degree, holding a valid medical license, working in an oncology research setting, and committing at least 60 percent effort to research during the award period. Applicants must also have a qualified mentor from their sponsoring institution and maintain or apply for membership in ASCO. There are no geographic or citizenship restrictions, allowing both United States and international applicants to apply. The application process is conducted entirely through the ASCO online application portal and requires submission of a comprehensive set of materials. Applicants must complete multiple structured sections, including applicant information, project information, research strategy, biostatistical plan, patient impact section, budget, and project timeline. Additional required components include a biosketch, mentorship plan, institutional letter of support, and mentor recommendations. Supporting documentation such as letters from collaborators, clinical protocols, and publications may also be included where applicable. All materials must adhere to strict formatting, page limits, and submission requirements, and must be submitted by the stated deadline. Applications are evaluated through a rigorous multi-stage peer review process conducted by an independent Grants Selection Committee. Each proposal is reviewed by scientific experts, a biostatistician, and a patient advocate to ensure methodological rigor, statistical validity, and patient-centered relevance. Evaluation criteria include the strength and originality of the research hypothesis, feasibility within the one-year timeframe, quality of the mentorship plan, applicant qualifications, and institutional support. Applications are scored using a standardized scale, and the highest-ranked proposal is selected for funding in this competition. Key dates for the program include an application opening date of March 30, 2026, and a submission deadline of July 15, 2026. Applicants can expect notification of award decisions in October 2026. The award term runs from December 1, 2026 through November 30, 2027. The program operates on an annual cycle, with similar competitions expected in future years depending on available funding and donor priorities. Applicants are encouraged to begin preparations early due to the complexity of the application and the extensive documentation required.

Ensure strong hypothesis driven proposal with clear measurable outcomes feasible within one year demonstrate statistical rigor include a well defined mentorship plan and highlight patient impact and translational relevance