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AACR-World Cancer Research Fund International-Prevent Cancer Foundation Cancer Prevention Research Fellowship

American Association for Cancer Research

Grant Amount$130,000 USD

Grant Term2 Years

Start of Grant TermDecember 1, 2026

Application DeadlineSeptember 22, 2026 1:00 PM

Decision DateNovember 2026

Description

The AACR-World Cancer Research Fund International-Prevent Cancer Foundation Cancer Prevention Research Fellowship represents a joint effort to encourage and support a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow conducting primary cancer prevention research. The fellowship is intended to advance research that helps stop cancer before it starts by identifying, reducing, or interrupting cancer risk factors and the earliest biological processes that lead to cancer, while establishing a successful career path in this field.

This fellowship provides a two-year grant of $130,000 to support the salary and benefits of the fellow while working on a mentored primary cancer prevention research project. Up to 50% of the funds may be designated for non-personnel expenses, such as research/laboratory supplies, equipment, publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project, and other research expenses. Each grantee will be required to attend an Annual AACR Grantee Recognition Event to formally accept their grant. Up to $2,000 of the grant funds may be used to support travel costs. Up to $1,000 may also be used for travel expenses to the annual Grantee Summit.

Citizenship Requirements

There are no citizenship or geographic requirements. However, by submitting an application for this grant, applicants applying from an institution in a country where they are not a citizen or permanent resident confirm that their work status will allow them to complete the project and grant term.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong alignment with the specific AACR funding opportunity (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

This is the most important predictor of success.

Competitive proposals should closely match the objectives of the specific grant mechanism or Request for Applications (RFA).

Common priority areas include:

Cancer biology
Cancer prevention
Early detection
Cancer diagnosis
Cancer interception
Precision oncology
Immunotherapy
Translational research
Population science
Cancer disparities
Therapeutic development

Applications that clearly fit the stated goals and eligibility requirements of the funding opportunity are substantially more competitive.

2. Scientific excellence and innovation (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Innovation is central to AACR funding.

Competitive proposals demonstrate:

Novel hypotheses
Original scientific concepts
Innovative technologies
Creative experimental approaches
High scientific significance
Potential to substantially advance cancer research

AACR consistently prioritizes research that moves the field beyond incremental advances.

3. Direct relevance to improving cancer prevention, diagnosis, or treatment (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Successful proposals clearly explain how the research will improve one or more of the following:

Cancer prevention
Early detection
Diagnosis
Treatment
Interception
Survivorship
Understanding of cancer biology

Projects with clear relevance to improving outcomes for people with cancer are particularly competitive.

4. Strong scientific rigor and methodology (Highest Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive applications include:

Clearly defined hypotheses
Robust experimental design
Appropriate statistical analyses
Well-defined endpoints
Reproducible methods
Feasible research plan

Scientific rigor is a fundamental component of AACR's peer-review process.

5. Strong translational potential (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

AACR strongly supports research capable of moving discoveries toward clinical benefit.

Competitive projects often include:

Biomarker development
Precision medicine
Therapeutic development
Translational oncology
Clinical implementation
Early-phase clinical translation

Applications should clearly describe how laboratory discoveries could ultimately benefit patients.

6. Investigator excellence and career development (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Reviewers evaluate:

Publication record
Scientific achievements
Leadership potential
Independence (where applicable)
Institutional support
Career development plan (for fellowship and career awards)

Many AACR funding mechanisms are specifically designed to support early-career investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and newly independent faculty.

7. Addressing important unmet needs in cancer research (Very High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐)

Competitive proposals frequently address:

Drug resistance
Rare cancers
Metastatic disease
Cancer disparities
Tumor microenvironment
Immunotherapy resistance
Early detection
Precision oncology
Cancer prevention

Projects targeting major unmet scientific or clinical challenges are highly valued.

8. Strong multidisciplinary collaboration (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive teams often include:

Basic scientists
Medical oncologists
Surgeons
Radiation oncologists
Pathologists
Bioinformaticians
Computational biologists
Epidemiologists

Multidisciplinary expertise enhances both scientific quality and translational impact.

9. Feasible project design and appropriate budget (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

Competitive proposals demonstrate:

Realistic timelines
Clearly defined milestones
Appropriate resource allocation
Well-justified budgets
Feasible implementation

Projects should be achievable within the duration and budget of the specific AACR award.

10. Potential for high scientific and clinical impact (High Predictor ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆)

The strongest proposals demonstrate potential to:

Change clinical practice
Influence future clinical trials
Generate high-impact publications
Advance precision oncology
Improve patient outcomes
Secure future external funding

Research with broad influence across cancer research or patient care is especially competitive.

Specialties

Cancer

Oncology

Eligibility Requirements

At the start of the grant term (December 1, 2026), applicants must:

Have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field.
Hold a mentored research position with the title of postdoctoral fellow, clinical research fellow, or the equivalent.
- If eligibility is based on a future position, the position must be confirmed at the time of submission and CANNOT be contingent upon receiving this grant. Applicants are advised to contact the AACR’s Research and Grants Administration (RGA) at grants@aacr.org before submission to confirm they will hold an eligible position.
Have completed their most recent doctoral degree within the past five years (i.e., degree cannot have been conferred before December 1, 2021; the formal date of receipt of the degree is the date the degree was conferred, as indicated on your diploma and/or transcript). Exceptions to the 5-year window may be granted for up to 12 months of parental or justified personal/family leave. Applicants exceeding the 5-year limit who believe they are eligible must contact the AACR’s RGA before submitting their application.
- Applicants with a medical degree must have completed their most recent doctoral degree or medical residency – whichever date is later – within the past five years.
Work under the auspices of a mentor at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world.

At the start of the grant term (December 1, 2026), applicants cannot:

Be a candidate for a further doctoral degree.
Be an employee or subcontractor of a U.S. federal government entity or for-profit private industry. They may serve as collaborators, but no grant funds may be directed toward these individuals.
Concurrently hold another AACR grant.
- Current AACR grantees may apply only if their current grant ends before the start of the grant term for this funding opportunity (i.e., December 1, 2026). Also, the terms of their current grant must stipulate that the final progress reports be approved by the AACR before December 1, 2026.
Be, or have been, at the rank of instructor, adjunct professor, assistant professor, research assistant professor, the equivalent, or higher. Qualified researchers are invited to apply for an AACR Career Development Award.
- Exception: If you are an MD who is considered a postdoctoral fellow but hold the title of instructor so that you can see patients, you may be eligible. Potential applicants possessing an MD are encouraged to contact AACR’s RGA before submitting an application to verify your eligibility.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Association for Cancer Research

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 615 Chestnut St., 17th Floor Philadelphia, PA 19106-4404

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