Summer 2026 Grant Cycle: Summary of Changes
Please Note: These changes do NOT apply to any grants that are currently funded through any of these mechanisms. Please direct any questions to grants.eligibility@cancer.org. Current grantees should contact their program office.
Postdoctoral Fellowship (PF) Eligibility Changes
Years with degree or training. PF applicants must now have held their terminal doctoral degree for 3 or fewer years and/or must have completed 3 or fewer years of postdoctoral research training (includes research positions in industry).
Term length and eligibility. Applicants may still apply for a 2- or 3-year fellowship term, but the eligibility is the same for both term lengths.
Research Scholar Grant (RSG) Eligibility Changes
Independence eligibility cutoff. RSG applicants must now be within 8 years of their initial independent research position, independent faculty appointment, or equivalent.
Resubmissions. Applicants who intend to resubmit an RSG application and have been an independent researcher or faculty member for more than 8 years must get approval from their program office prior to resubmitting.
Subsequent RSGs. Current or former RSG awardees are no longer permitted to apply for another RSG unless it is associated with a special funding initiative request for applications (RFA).
Discovery Boost Grant (DBG) Mechanism Paused
The ACS will not offer Discovery Boost Grants during the Summer 2026 grant cycle as we prepare to thoughtfully restructure this robust mechanism for future funding opportunities. This temporary pause will allow us to refine the mechanism so it can more precisely align with emerging research priorities. Any special initiatives associated with this mechanism will likewise be paused.
Since its launch in 2022, the program has supported 130 high risk, high-reward exploratory projects totaling $38.54 million, underscoring its important role in advancing innovative cancer research.
We look forward to sharing updates on the next evolution of this mechanism in upcoming cycles.
ACS Professor Eligibility Changes
Years as full professor. ACS Professor applicants planning to submit a letter of intent (LOI) must now have been a full professor for at least 5 years and no more than 20 years at the application deadline.
Submission Limits for Standard Mechanisms
Multiple applications. Eligible applicants are only permitted to submit an application to one of the following application mechanisms per cycle:
- Research Scholar Grant*
- Mission Boost Grant I or II
- Clinician Scientist Development Grant
- Postdoctoral Fellowship
*Applications submitted to a Research Scholar Grant special funding initiative RFA are excluded from this restriction.
