Young Investigator Award for Veteran Cancer

The Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award for Veteran Cancer is administered by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving patient care globally. Since its founding in 1984, the foundation has distributed significant funding to support oncology research and foster the development of early-career investigators. This specific funding opportunity is designed to encourage and support promising physician-scientists who are transitioning from training into independent research careers, with a focused emphasis on cancer issues affecting U.S. Veterans. The primary purpose of this award is to fund high-quality clinical or translational oncology research that either involves a U.S. Veteran investigator or directly addresses cancer-related challenges within the Veteran population. The award supports projects that span clinical, preclinical, epidemiologic, behavioral, and health services research, provided they demonstrate a clear pathway to clinical application. The program is structured as a mentored award, requiring applicants to conduct their research under the supervision of an experienced mentor who provides guidance in both scientific development and career progression. Funding for this opportunity consists of a total award amount of 50000 distributed over a one-year period. The funds are paid in two equal installments and must be allocated primarily toward direct research costs such as personnel, supplies, and equipment. At least 46000 must be dedicated to research activities, with limited allowances for travel and indirect costs. Travel funding is capped at 1500, and indirect costs may not exceed 5 percent of the total award. Certain expenses, including tuition and membership dues, are explicitly prohibited. Eligibility for the award is limited to physicians holding an MD, DO, or equivalent degree who are within specific early-career stages, such as the final years of subspecialty training or the first year of a faculty appointment. Applicants must be within 10 years of obtaining their medical degree, possess an active medical license, and commit at least 60 percent of their time to research. Additionally, applicants must either be U.S. Veterans themselves or propose research that directly benefits Veteran cancer care. There are no geographic restrictions, and applicants from institutions worldwide may apply, provided they can complete the project within the grant term. The application process is conducted entirely online through the ASCO and Conquer Cancer application portal and requires submission of multiple components, including a research strategy, biostatistical plan, patient impact statement, budget, timeline, biosketch, and letters of support from mentors and institutional leadership. Clinical projects must include patient advocate involvement and appropriate regulatory documentation. Applications undergo a rigorous multi-stage peer review process conducted by a Grants Selection Committee, with additional evaluation by biostatisticians and patient advocates to ensure scientific rigor and patient relevance. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria, including the strength and feasibility of the research proposal, the quality of mentorship, the applicant’s potential for a career in clinical oncology, and the adequacy of institutional support. The review process uses a standardized scoring system and prioritizes projects with clear clinical impact and well-defined outcomes. Only the highest-ranked application will receive funding for this specific competition. Key dates for the program include an application opening date of July 1, 2026, and a submission deadline of March 11, 2027. Award notifications are expected in April 2027, with the project period running from July 1, 2027 through June 30, 2028. The program appears to be part of an annual funding cycle, indicating recurring opportunities for future applicants. For questions or clarification, applicants are encouraged to contact the program via the official grants email address.

Ensure strong hypothesis feasibility within one year demonstrate clear patient impact include robust statistical plan and secure strong mentorship