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Beginning Investigator Grant for Catalytic Research (BIG Cat)

The American Association for Cancer Research

Additional InformationAN AFRICAN ORGANISATION OF RESEARCH AND TRAINING IN CANCER (AORTIC)-AACR PROGRAM In Association with the U.S. National Cancer Institute Center for Global Health (NCI/CGH).

Please read the Program Guidelines and Competitive Letter of Intent Instructions carefully before submitting a Letter of Intent. Final determinations of eligibility will not be made until the AACR is in receipt of the fully submitted Letter of Intent.

Description

Cancer is becoming a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in Africa. The International Agency for Research on Cancer estimates that cancer deaths in Africa will double by 2040. This trend poses major challenges for public health activities in Africa. Among the many needs, there is a need to generate local evidence and knowledge upon which appropriate clinical, public health, and policy guidelines can be built. Historically, the pool of cancer researchers in Africa has been limited, in part because early-career funding mechanisms to help launch junior investigators into research careers are very limited. In order to address the growing cancer health crisis, a pipeline of talented and creative early-career African investigators must be fostered to generate knowledge that can be used to address cancer needs in Africa and beyond. Furthermore, the development of academic and research pursuits in Africa will provide opportunities to advance the continent’s need for biomedical, economic, academic, and social development on a variety of levels. The Beginning Investigator Grant for Catalytic Research (BIG Cat) represents a joint effort to address this need by promoting and supporting early-career investigators in Africa to establish a successful career path in cancer research, thereby increasing and sustaining a cadre of talented cancer researchers in Africa.

BIG Cat is a premier initiative by the African Organization for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) to build capacity for cancer research in Africa. The goal of the BIG Cat program is to aid the next generation of African cancer researchers to base their careers in their home countries and institutions, and to contribute to the overall expansion of capacity for research and training in Africa by generating evidence that will guide practice and policy. BIG Cat was initiated in 2010 by the US National Cancer Institute Center for Global Health (NCI/CGH), and it is now a collaborative effort of AORTIC, American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), and NCI/CGH.

The research proposed for funding may be in any area of cancer research, including basic research, clinical research, population-based research and translational research across the cancer care continuum (prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, supportive and palliative care, and survivorship). These grants are intended to catalyze subsequent applications for funding from other funding sources, not to support longer-term research. Each grant will provide $60,000 USD over two years for expenses related to the research project, which may include salary and benefits of the grant recipient and any collaborator, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, graduate students (including tuition costs), and/or research assistants, research/laboratory supplies, equipment, publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project, and other research expenses. Indirect costs is limited to no more than 10% of the total grant amount. Up to $10,000 USD may be allocated from the grant to support travel applicable to the research project and relevant scientific meetings, including mandatory attendance at the 2027 AACR Annual Meeting and biennial AORTIC conference. Although collaborative research projects are encouraged, grants are not intended for principal investigators outside of Africa. All grant funds provided must be spent in Africa, with the exception of limited support for travel to international scientific meetings and conferences.

Research Project Criteria

Research projects may be in any area of cancer research that spans the cancer continuum aimed at forming a basis for reducing the burden of cancer in Africa. Focus areas for research may include descriptive epidemiology, prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment, supportive and palliative care, behavioral research, and cancer survivorship research. Applicants are encouraged to be innovative in their research proposals and demonstrate local relevance of their proposed research.

Relevant topics include (but are not limited to) primary prevention (e.g., vaccination, exposure avoidance, chemoprevention), screening and early detection, and disease monitoring. Use of novel technologies (e.g., mHealth, biomarkers) is strongly encouraged.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🔬 1. Strong Scientific Innovation (Top Predictor)

AACR places very high weight on:

Novel hypotheses and cutting-edge ideas
Research that advances understanding of cancer biology
Innovative approaches (e.g., immunotherapy, genomics, precision oncology)

👉 Incremental or low-novelty projects are less competitive

🧠 2. Clear Biological or Clinical Significance

Successful proposals demonstrate:

Relevance to cancer mechanisms, progression, or treatment
Potential to influence:
- Diagnosis
- Therapy
- Prevention

👉 Strong linkage between basic science and cancer relevance is critical

🔄 3. Translational Potential (Bench → Bedside)

AACR strongly favors:

Research with clinical applicability
Pathways toward:
- Biomarkers
- Therapeutic targets
- Drug development

👉 Purely theoretical/basic research is less competitive unless highly impactful

👩‍🔬 4. Investigator Track Record (Critical for Mid/Senior Grants)

Strong publication record (especially in high-impact journals)
Prior cancer research experience
For early-career awards:
- Strong mentorship is essential

👉 Investigator quality is a major determinant of funding

🏥 5. Institutional Environment & Support

Access to:
- Core facilities
- Clinical samples or patient cohorts
Strong research environment (cancer centers, labs)

📊 6. Feasible & Rigorous Study Design

Clear aims and hypotheses
Robust methodology and statistical plan
Realistic timeline

👉 Overly ambitious or vague proposals are often rejected

💡 7. Alignment with Specific AACR Grant Mechanism

AACR offers highly targeted grants (e.g.):

Immuno-oncology
Lung cancer, breast cancer, etc.
Early detection

👉 Exact fit with the specific RFP topic is crucial

🤝 8. Mentorship & Career Development Plan (For Fellowships)

For junior applicants:

Strong mentor with proven track record
Clear training and career development plan

👉 This is often as important as the project itself

💰 9. Budget Justification

Realistic and appropriate for project scope
Clear linkage to aims

📑 10. Proposal Clarity & Presentation

Well-structured, concise writing
Clear articulation of:
- Hypothesis
- Impact
- Innovation

👉 Reviewers heavily penalize poorly written proposals

📊 Summary: Key Predictors (Ranked)

Highest impact factors:

Scientific innovation
Cancer relevance & significance
Translational potential

Moderate predictors:
4. Investigator track record
5. Study design quality
6. Alignment with AACR grant type

Supporting factors:
7. Institutional support
8. Mentorship (for early-career)
9. Budget & clarity

Specialties

Cancer

Oncology

Eligibility Requirements

Applicant must have an advanced degree (doctoral or medical) in a related field and not currently be a candidate for a further advanced degree.

At the start of the grant term on December 1, 2026, the Principal investigator (PI) must:

Be a beginning investigator, defined as a clinician or scientist who received his or her highest degree of study within the past ten years (i.e. degree cannot have been conferred before December 1, 2016).
- An earned academic (or research) doctorate [such as a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)], or medical degree [such as a Doctor of Medicine (MD), Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) or Bachelor of Medicine Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB, MB BS, BM MCh, etc.)] which is considered the highest degree of study in most African countries.
- When an investigator has received multiple terminal degrees, the calculation will be based on the date of award of the most recent degree.
- Applicants with a medical degree must have completed their most recent doctoral degree, medical residency, or fellowships (e.g., FWACS, FWACP) - whichever date is later - within the past ten years.
Reside in and be conducting research in Africa with particular relevance to the African cancer burden on the continent. Proof of residency is required.
Have legal residency status in Africa.
Not have received a BIG Cat award in prior years.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: The American Association for Cancer Research

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

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

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