Menu Search
Cancer Helpline 800.227.2345
double-chat-bubble
American Cancer Society
  • Latest News
  • English
    • Español
    • More Languages
Donate
Donate
  • Cancer A-Z
  • Stay Healthy
  • Treatment & Support
  • Our Research
  • Get Involved
  • Our Partners
  • About Us
  • News
Donate
double-chat-bubble

Cancer Helpline

800.227.2345

Phone
Search
CategoryOur Research
  • We Fund Forward-Thinking Cancer Research
  • Apply for a Research Grant

Grant Types

Find information on ACS grants for special initiatives, independent investigators, mentored research, health professional training, professorships, and international programs.

Our Grant Process

As the nation's largest private, not-for-profit source of funds for scientists studying cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) focuses its funding on investigator-initiated, peer-reviewed proposals. This process ensures that scientists propose projects that they believe are ready to be tackled with the available knowledge and techniques. This intellectual freedom encourages discovery in areas that scientists believe are most likely to solve the problems of cancer.

Application Deadlines

Grant applications for most grant types are accepted 2 times per year – April 1 and October 15. Please review the individual grant types from links on this page or see the full listing of all grant deadlines.

Questions About Eligibility Status

Applicants who are uncertain about their eligibility status may request a review.  

  • Send requests for evaluation of eligibility and any questions to grants@cancer.org.
  • Requests for review about eligibility must be received no later than 6 weeks before to the application submission deadline. That's by September 1 for the October 15 deadline and by February 15 for the April 1 deadline.
  • Please attach 1) a letter that includes rationale for requesting an exception to the American Cancer Society eligibility rules and 2) a full curriculum vitae (not a biosketch).
  • If your request is approved, you will receive a formal letter confirming your eligibility to apply. When you send in your application, add your confirmation letter to the appendix. 

New Initiatives and Requests for Applications

With a primary focus on beginning investigators, the American Cancer Society’s Extramural Grants Program seeks to support and promote high impact and innovative cancer research across a wide range of disciplines to meet critically important needs in the control of cancer.

Thank you for considering the American Cancer Society for your research funding opportunities. We are currently interested in receiving grant applications in the following areas:

  • RFA: The Role of Health Policy and Health Insurance in Improving Access to and Performance of Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Services
  • RFA: Pilot and Exploratory Projects in Palliative Care of Cancer Patients and Their Families

Research Grants for Independent Investigators

The American Cancer Society supports investigator-initiated projects across the cancer research continuum.

Research Scholar Grants (RSGs) are awards are for up to 4 years and for up to $165,000 per year for direct costs, plus 20% allowable indirect costs. Independent investigators in the first 6 years of an independent research career or faculty appointment are eligible to apply.

Institutional Research Grants (IRGs) are block grants given to institutions as "seed money" for the initiation of projects by promising junior investigators. They average $90,000 a year for 3 years 

  • Research Scholar Grants
  • Institutional Research Grants

Mentored Research Grants

These training and career development awards support the training of cancer researchers at a variety of early career levels and disciplines.

Note regarding Mentored Research Scholar Grant: This grant mechanism is being phased out. We will only review applicants who are resubmitting proposals. If you're a new applicant, please see other grant opportunities on this page.

  • Postdoctoral Fellowships
  • Mentored Research Scholar Grant
  • Clinician Scientist Development Grant

Health Professional Training Grants

Health Professional Training Grants (HPTGs) include both grants and scholarships awarded to nurses, physicians, and social workers.

  • Master's Training Grants in Clinical Oncology Social Work
  • Doctoral Training Grants in Oncology Social Work
  • Graduate Scholarships in Cancer Nursing Practice
  • Doctoral Degree Scholarships in Cancer Nursing
  • Cancer Control Career Development Awards for Primary Care Physicians
  • Physician Training Awards in Cancer Prevention

Professor Grants

The American Cancer Society offers a limited number of grants to mid-career investigators who have made seminal contributions that have changed the direction of basic, clinical, psychosocial, behavioral, health policy or epidemiologic cancer research.

  • Research Professor Grants
  • Clinical Research Professor Grants

International Fellowships

International Fellowships are funded by the American Cancer Society with the objective of fostering a bi-directional flow of knowledge, experience, expertise, and innovation between countries. The Audrey Meyer Mars International Fellowships in Clinical Oncology provide one year of advanced training in clinical oncology at participating US cancer centers to qualified physicians and dentists from other countries, particularly countries where advanced training is not readily available.

  • Audrey Meyer Mars International Fellowships in Clinical Oncology

New: Mission Boost Grant

The Extramural Research Program of the American Cancer Society has historically focused its investments on grant mechanisms that help launch the careers of investigators in cancer research. These investments have funded some of the brightest minds in cancer research. They’ve also broadly expanded knowledge about cancer biology in cells, animals, and humans, and about cancer health services and disparities, in addition to providing training for many healthcare professionals.

To extend our previous focus, we are pleased to announce our new investment initiative: Mission Boost Grants. We designed these grants to support select current and past ACS grantees specifically for the translation of their research to human testing.

More In Our Research Programs

  • Research We Conduct
  • Research We Fund
  • Cancer Facts and Statistics
  • ACS Researchers
  • Currently Funded Cancer Research
  • Apply for a Grant
  • Infographics Gallery
BackTo Top

Imagine a world free from cancer. Help make it a reality.

DONATE

Cancer Information

  • Cancer Prevention & Detection
  • Cancer Basics
  • Signs & Symptoms of Cancer
  • Treatments & Side Effects
  • Cancer Facts & Statistics
  • News and Stories
  • Glossary
  • For Health Care Professionals

Programs & Services

  • Breast Cancer Support
  • TLC Hair Loss & Mastectomy Products
  • Hope Lodge® Lodging
  • Rides To Treatment
  • Online Support Communities
  • Look Good Feel Better

ACS FUNDRAISERS

  • Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walks
  • Coaches vs. Cancer
  • Relay For Life Events
  • College Relay For Life
  • Donate a Car
  • Ways to Give
  • Memorial Giving
  • Planned Giving
  • Leadership Giving

About ACS

  • Contact Us
  • Local Offices
  • Employment
  • Become a Supplier
  • Report Fraud or Abuse
  • Global Health
  • ACS CAN
  • Sign Up for Email
  • Policies
  • Our Volunteers

More ACS Sites

  • Bookstore
  • Shop
  • Cancer Atlas
  • Press Room
  • Cancer Statistics Center
  • Volunteer Learning Center

Follow Us

Twitter Facebook Instagram

Cancer Information, Answers, and Hope. Available Every Minute of Every Day.

800.227.2345

Follow Us

Twitter Facebook Instagram
  • help
  • site map
  • privacy policy - 2018
  • accessibility
  • terms of use
  • state fundraising notices
  • Site Comments

© 2018 American Cancer Society, Inc. All rights reserved. The American Cancer Society is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. Cancer.org is provided courtesy of the Leo and Gloria Rosen family.

Close
Close
Image of
Previous Next
Close
Close

Select A Hope Lodge

Close

Please share your thoughts about your cancer.org website experience. If you need immediate cancer-related information or patient program assistance, please call 800-227-2345 any time day or night.


Thank you for your feedback! We appreciate you taking the time to provide us with your comments. We review all feedback and work to provide a better experience. If you need immediate assistance, please call 1-800-227-2345, any time day or night. If you would like to unsubscribe/opt out from our communications, please follow this link: http://www.cancer.org/en/about-us/policies/opt-out-form.html