Grants for Cancer Research – Overview
Cancer is one of the most prevalent and dangerous illnesses today. According to ACJ Journals, the year 2023 witnessed around 1.95 million new cancer cases, with 609,820 deaths caused by cancer in the US.
Thousands of researchers spend millions of dollars every year on in-depth research studies to discover causes, preventive methods, and treatment techniques.
However, not all researchers can secure grants to fund cancer research.
There could be various reasons behind this, but one of the most common reasons researchers lose out on funding opportunities is that they are often unaware of the various sources where they can apply for grants for cancer research.
If you, too, are a researcher and wish to get cancer research grants, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we have outlined some of the major avenues through which you can apply for grants for cancer research.
Sources of Funds for Cancer Research in the US
Let’s take a closer look at some of the top sources of grants for cancer research in the United States:
American Association of Cancer Research (AACR)
The American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) offers several grants for cancer research. Since 1993, the association has donated around $480 million through over 890 grants. In 2020 alone, the association disbursed grants for cancer research valued at over $20 million.
Some of the grants for cancer research offered by the AACR include:
1 – AACR-Bristol Myers Squibb Midcareer Female Investigator Grant
This grant is a collaborative effort to motivate and support mid-career female physician-scientists and researchers to conduct immuno-oncology studies.
The grant aims to foster the awardee’s career advancement for promotion to senior investigator. This fund supports research projects that are clinical or transitional.
This grant offers around $225,000 over three years to cover expenses related to the research project.
2 – AACR-Conquer Cancer Foundation of ASCO Young Investigator Award for Transitional Cancer Research
This grant is meant to fund physician-scientists transitioning from fellowship to faculty appointment. This program provides a research grant worth $50,000 over 1 year to conduct transitional cancer research.
To be eligible for this grant, you should currently hold a medical degree (MD, DO, or an international equivalent), be in your final two years of sub-specialty training to become an investigative clinical oncologist, and have worked under a mentor in clinical research or laboratory settings at accredited medical schools or institutes.
Although this grant has no geographical restrictions, you should have a valid and active medical license in the country where the research study is to be conducted.
3 – AACR Immuno-Oncology Research Fellowships
The AACR Immuno-Oncology Research Fellowship aims to encourage and support postdoctoral or clinical research fellows in immune-oncology research so that they can pursue successful careers as cancer researchers. Each selected applicant is awarded around $120,000 for two years.
To be eligible for this grant, you should hold a mentored position, including a post-doctoral or clinical research fellowship, and have completed your latest doctoral degree within the last five years from the date of application.
This grant does not have geographical or citizenship criteria, and it can be received by anyone working for a renowned academic, medical, or research institute worldwide.
Cancer Research Institute
The Cancer Research Institute has invested hundreds of millions of dollars towards cancer research with grants to over 3,400 scientists and clinicians worldwide.
These grants aim to support research studies that investigate the immune system and its potential use in preventing and treating all types of cancer.
Here are the top grants for cancer research offered by the Cancer Research Institute:
4 – Lloyd J. Old STAR Program
The CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR (Scientists Taking Risks) program offers long-term research funding to mid-career scientists who want the freedom and flexibility required to pursue high-risk, high-reward research into cancer immunotherapy. Under this program, applicants can receive up to $1.25 million for a 5-year term.
To be eligible for the CRI Lloyd J. Old STAR Program, you should be an associate or full professor who has been in the position for no more than 10 years.
5 – Technology Impact Award
The Cancer Research Institute offers the Technology Impact Award to shorten the gap between the clinical application of cancer immunotherapies and technology development.
This grant is designed to enhance collaboration between technology developers and clinical cancer immunologists and to find practical applications of technology in bioinformatics.
Successful applicants can receive grant funds up to $200,000 for a 1-2 years.
This initiative aims to advance technologies that can accelerate research efforts and help develop practical and effective immunotherapies for cancer treatment.
6 – DHHS Modular R01s in Cancer Control and Population Sciences
This grant is provided by the US Department of Health and Human Services to boost applications for research in cancer control and population sciences. The end goal of this grant is to support research efforts in finding innovative scientific techniques that have the potential to advance cancer research in various aspects.
You can find the extensive eligibility criteria for this grant at grants.nih.gov.
Conclusion
Cancer prevention and treatment are among the biggest challenges that clinicians and scientists face.
However, with ample funding for cancer research, in-depth studies of various factors can be performed that can help discover new and more effective ways to prevent and treat cancer.
See Also
IVF Grants for Cancer Survivors
BMA Foundation for Medical Research
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