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Apply for a Grant

As the nation's largest private, not-for-profit source of funds for scientists studying cancer, the American Cancer Society (ACS) remains committed to funding basic, translational, clinical, and cancer control research now and in the future - as much as we are able given our available financial resources. 

The ACS grant process is managed by the Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) team. 
 

ACS Grant Mechanisms

Look for funding opportunities you qualify for.

Research Grants for Independent Investigators

Updated

Arizona Discovery Boost 

AHEAD Awards (Advancing Health Equity and Addressing Disparities)

 

What's Updated: Funding has increased

Who Can Apply: Independent investigators at any career stage.

Purpose: To fund exploratory research to develop research methodologies, establish feasibility, or pilot test high-risk/high-reward research across the research continuum.

Funding: 2 years with $135K a year direct costs, plus 10% allowable indirect costs

Deadlines: April 1*  and Oct. 15* 

Updated

Who Can Apply: Current and past American Cancer Society grantees, including former ACS Postdoctoral Fellows

Purpose: Enables transition of patient-focused research to accelerate clinical impact

Funding, Stage I: 2 years with $135K a year direct costs, plus 10% allowable indirect costs

Funding, Stage II: 1.5 years with $545K total direct costs, plus 10% allowable indirect costs

Deadlines: April 1* and Oct. 15*

Updated

 

What's Updated: Budget has increased 

 

 

Who Can Apply: Investigators within the first 10 years of an initial independent research career or full-time faculty appointment

Funding: Up to 4 years with $215K a year direct costs, plus 10% allowable indirect costs

Deadlines: April 1* and Oct. 15*

Mentored Research Grants

Updated

What's Updated: Increased stipends and expanded eligibility

Who Can Apply: Investigators who are US citizens or non-citizens holding an appropriate visa when the application is submitted and are within 4 years of receiving a doctoral degree 

Funding: Progressive stipends of $66K, $68K, and $70K for up to 3 years, plus an annual $4K fellowship allowance and $1,500 travel allowance in the final year

Application Deadlines:  April 1* and Oct. 15*

Who Can Apply: Full-time faculty who have clinical responsibilities, do not lead an independent research program, and want to be mentored and participate in research training to become an independent clinician scientist. 

Funding: 3 to 5 years with $135K direct costs a year, plus 8% allowable indirect costs 

Deadlines: April 1*  and Oct. 15* 

Institutional Block Grants

Who Can Apply: Awarded to institutions as block grants to provide seed money for newly independent investigators to initiate cancer research projects. The principal investigator of the grant should be a senior faculty member.

Funding: 1 to 3 years with an average of $120K a year, renewable

Deadline: April 1*

Requests for Applications

Who Can Apply: Mechanisms for independent and mentored researchers are available. 

Purpose: Support research that seeks to better understand the effects of mind-body-spirit wellness, increase adoption of healthy behaviors, and more effectively implement well-being interventions within this population.

Funding: Varies by grant mechanism

Application Deadline: April 1

Who Can Apply: Investigators at an accredited college, university, or medical school, within the United State (in accordance with ACS grant policies). Applicants from underrepresented groups and from Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs) are encouraged to apply.

Funding: 4-year project with $4.08 M ($3.4 M direct cost plus 20% indirect cost)

Webinar: Email the Program Contact to request a recording of the most recent webinar

Resubmission Deadline: TBD

LOI Deadline: TBD

Application Deadline: Oct. 16, 2023

An American Cancer Society and Flatiron Health, Inc. Collaboration

Who Can Apply: Applicants must be an independent researcher at an eligible US academic institution or non-profit. Applicants must have the necessary training and expertise to conduct research projects using de-identified real-world data.

Purpose: Use real-world data to accelerate cancer research that informs public health and public policy, and, ultimately, improve clinical practice.

Funding: 1 year with $75,000 direct costs, no indirect costs allowed

LOI Required

Application Deadline (if invited): April 1*

Who Can Apply: Independent investigators at any career stage with a doctoral degree and a full-time faculty appointment or equivalent, who are evaluating changes in the health care system with a focus on cancer

Funding: Up to 4 years with $200K a year direct costs, plus 20% allowable indirect costs

Deadlines: April 1* and Oct. 15*

Professor Grants

New

Who Can Apply: Investigators who are full professors, have made significant contributions to prostate cancer mortality research, and expect to continue to provide leadership in their research area

Funding: 5-year term with $80K a year; renewable

Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline: Aug. 31, 2023

Application Deadline: Oct. 16, 2023

Who Can Apply: Applicants must be at the rank of full professor and have made, and will likely continue to make, impactful contributions to change the direction of cancer research.

Funding: $80,000 direct costs per year for 5-years; renewable

Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline: Must be submitted between June 1 and August 1 

Application Deadline: October 15

* If the grant application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications will be accepted the following business day. 


Helpful Details About Your Application

All applications are submitted and reviewed through ProposalCentral. The links below give you details about focusing your topic, what to include, and how to format your application.