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 two times per year – April 1 and October 15. Please review the individual grant type pages listed below or the full listing of all grant deadlines for more information.
Please Note: Applicants who are uncertain about their eligibility status may request a review, but must do so no later than six weeks prior to the application submission deadline (by September 1 for the October 15 deadline; by February 15 for the April 1 deadline). A request for evaluation of eligibility should be sent to grants@cancer.org. 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; this letter should be included in the appendix to your application. Questions may also be directed to grants@cancer.org.
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. The Society is currently interested in receiving grant applications in the following areas:
- RFA: Understanding, Preventing, and Managing Immunotherapy-related Adverse Events (irAEs) Associated with Checkpoint Inhibition for Melanoma and Other Cancers
- 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 Society supports investigator-initiated projects across the cancer research continuum. Research Scholar Grants are awards are for up to four years and for up to $165,000 per year (direct costs), plus 20% allowable indirect costs. Independent investigators in the first six years of an independent research career or faculty appointment are eligible to apply. Institutional Research Grants are block grants averaging $90,000 per year for three years given to institutions as "seed money" for the initiation of projects by promising junior investigators.
Mentored Research Grants
These training and career development awards support the training of cancer researchers at a variety of early career levels and disciplines.
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.
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.