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Global Oncology Young Investigator Award

American Society of Clinical Oncology

All Conquer Cancer research grant applications are carefully reviewed and evaluated by an independent Grants Selection Committee (Committee) using consistent criteria across all applications for each grant or award type. The Committee scores and ranks the applications, and the highest-scoring applications are funded.

In some circumstances, applications already approved to receive funding based on their high application scores may be matched with Conquer Cancer grants that have additional donor-specified criteria. However, all approved applications will receive Conquer Cancer research grants. In no case will an application not eligible for funding in the initial review process receive a Conquer Cancer research grant.

The Global Oncology Young Investigator Award (GO YIA) provides research funding to early-career investigators to encourage and promote quality research in global oncology and to develop the next generation of researchers to address global health needs. This is a mentored award and the research project is conducted under the guidance of a scientific mentor.

The Global Oncology Young Investigator Award is intended to support:

Research by investigators in low resource settings on scientific questions specific to those settings. This research has potential to offer “reverse innovation” insights that could influence practice in a wide range of practice settings.
Research by investigators in high resource settings on issues in resource-limited settings.
Collaborative research (high and low resource investigators) on questions of shared concern, such as studying a cancer type that affects a small population in the U.S. but is common in another country.

Applicants are encouraged to be innovative in their research proposal. Proposed research projects could include, but are not limited to:

Clinical and translational research
Innovative care delivery
Prevention and palliative care
Implementation research
Health Systems, Outcomes and Economics research related to cancer control and care

Funding Available

The GO YIA is a one-year grant of $50,000. The number of GO YIA grants in each funding cycle is not predetermined by Conquer Cancer.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong relevance to cancer and oncology (highest predictor)

This is the most important predictor.

Competitive proposals should address important problems in:

Solid tumors
Hematologic malignancies
Precision oncology
Cancer prevention
Early detection
Cancer therapeutics
Survivorship
Supportive and palliative care
Cancer health services
Clinical trials
Global oncology

The research should have a clear connection to improving cancer care or outcomes.

2. Strong potential to improve patient outcomes (very high predictor)

ASCO places exceptional emphasis on patient benefit.

Competitive proposals should demonstrate potential to improve:

Overall survival
Progression-free survival
Quality of life
Toxicity management
Early diagnosis
Treatment selection
Access to care
Patient-centered outcomes

Projects with a clear pathway to improving clinical practice are especially competitive.

3. Scientific excellence and innovation (very high predictor)

Reviewers consistently evaluate:

Scientific significance
Originality
Innovation
Importance of the research question

Competitive proposals often include:

Novel therapeutic approaches
Precision medicine
Biomarker discovery
AI applications in oncology
New clinical trial designs
Innovative supportive care interventions

Incremental studies are generally less competitive.

4. Rigorous methodology and feasibility (very high predictor)

Strong applications should include:

Clear hypotheses
Robust study design
Appropriate statistical analysis
Realistic recruitment plans
Feasible timelines
Clearly defined endpoints

Reviewers expect ambitious but achievable projects with sound scientific methods.

5. Strong translational or clinical relevance (very high predictor)

ASCO supports research across the continuum from laboratory discoveries to clinical implementation.

Competitive proposals often include:

Biomarker validation
Translational oncology
Clinical trials
Comparative effectiveness research
Implementation science
Precision oncology

Even laboratory-based studies are strengthened by a clear translational pathway toward patient care.

6. Outstanding investigator potential (very high predictor)

For Young Investigator Awards and Career Development Awards, reviewers strongly assess the applicant's future promise.

Competitive applicants demonstrate:

Strong publication record
Commitment to oncology research
Leadership potential
Scientific independence
Long-term research vision

The applicant's trajectory is often as important as the proposed project.

7. Excellent mentorship and institutional environment (very high predictor)

For early-career awards, mentorship is a major evaluation criterion.

Competitive applications demonstrate:

Experienced mentor(s)
Strong mentoring plan
Protected research time
Institutional commitment
Access to patients and research infrastructure
Collaborative research environment

Mentorship quality is particularly important for YIA and CDA programs.

8. Addressing cancer disparities and equity (high predictor)

ASCO has made cancer equity a strategic priority.

Competitive proposals may address:

Health disparities
Underserved populations
Minority health
Rural oncology
Global oncology
Access to care
Social determinants of health

Projects that improve equity in cancer outcomes align strongly with ASCO's strategic priorities.

9. Potential for future independent funding (high predictor)

ASCO's career awards are designed to launch independent investigators.

Competitive applications clearly explain how the award will:

Generate preliminary data
Support NIH or equivalent grant applications
Lead to multicenter studies
Establish an independent research program

The strongest proposals view ASCO funding as a stepping stone toward long-term research independence.

10. Strong dissemination and impact on oncology practice (high predictor)

Competitive projects should demonstrate potential to:

Publish in high-impact journals
Present at scientific meetings
Inform clinical guidelines
Influence oncology practice
Improve standards of care

Research capable of changing oncology practice is especially attractive to ASCO.

Specialties

Cancer

Oncology

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants (Principal Investigators) must meet the following criteria:

Have a doctoral degree (including MD, PhD, MD/PhD, DO, or equivalent doctoral degrees).
In the last year of a fellowship or training program, or in the first two years of a faculty/staff appointment (if in an academic institution) or first two years of employment (if in a non-academic institution) at the time of grant submission. An exception to this window may be granted for applicants in training programs where the protected research time or dedicated research year occurs during the first year of the training program (ex: In surgical oncology fellowship programs, the dedicated research year may occur during the first year of the program). For more information, please contact grants@conquer.org.
Be within 10 years of terminal degree (MD, PhD or equivalent) at the time of application submission. An exception to this criterion may be granted to foreign medical graduates whose medical degree completion may fall outside of the 10-year cutoff. Please see the FAQ for more information or contact grants@conquer.org.
Should demonstrate an interest in oncology or a related branch of science and be working in an oncology setting, but are not required to have oncology-specific training
Be an ASCO member or have submitted a membership application with the grant application. To apply for new membership, or to renew an existing membership, visit asco.org/membership. Please note that ASCO offers free membership for physicians from LMICs.
Must have a contractual obligation with the sponsoring organization (see section for Eligible Organizations).
Be able to commit at least 60% of full-time effort in research (applies to total research, not just the proposed project) during the award period, as confirmed in an institutional Letter of Support.

Applicants who are uncertain about their eligibility are encouraged to contact our grants team for clarification and provide their CV for evaluation.

Eligible Organizations

The sponsoring organization must meet the following requirements:

Commit to provide adequate staff, facilities, and resources to support both project planning and implementation.
Guarantee protected time to the applicant to focus on the research project.
At least one full year of operation and have acceptable management structures and processes.

Applications may be submitted by the following entities:

Higher Education Institutions
Research Organizations
Government Organizations (may include medical centers and hospitals that have access to resources and infrastructure to support a research project)
Non-profit Organizations (may include medical societies or associations, advocacy organizations, foundations, hospitals)
Non-Governmental Organizations
Non-domestic (non-U.S) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are eligible to apply.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: American Society of Clinical Oncology

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 2318 Mill Road, Suite 800 | Alexandria, VA 22314

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