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Postdoctoral Fellowship

Hope Foundation for Cancer Research

Hope Funds for Cancer Research is offering fellowships to postdoctoral scientists who propose to work on highly innovative research projects that challenge the traditional paradigms of understanding the causes, mechanisms, progression, disease markers or risk factors of the most difficult-to-treat cancers, including pancreatic, lung, liver, sarcomas, esophageal, brain, gastric, bone and ovarian cancers; and rare leukemias, lymphomas and MDS. The Trustees of the Hope Funds believe that funding research that could lead to breakthroughs in these areas and increase life expectancy in these types of cancers is at the core of its mission. The Fellowship Review Committee will consider each of the following criteria, with a strong emphasis on the innovation of the project, in evaluating candidates.

Innovation: The originality of the project and the use of novel concepts, hypotheses, approaches, methodologies, tools and technologies in the area of cancer research. The level to which the project challenges existing paradigms and presents innovative hypotheses to promote progress in the prevention, control and treatment of the most difficult-to-treat cancers (e.g. pancreatic, lung, liver, sarcomas, esophageal, brain, gastric and ovarian cancers).
Significance: The direct relevance of the research proposal to issues regarding prevention, control or treatment in the most difficult-to-treat cancers. The importance of the project’s outcomes on the concepts, methods, technologies, treatments, services, or preventive interventions that drive the field of cancer research.
Approach: The conceptual framework and reasoning around the design, methods and analyses proposed and their appropriateness to the aims of the project. The identification of potential problem areas in the approach proposed, and the consideration of alternative approaches.
Investigators: The qualifications, experience, and productivity of both the candidate and the principal investigator. The appropriateness of the project proposed to the experience of the principal investigator and if applicable, collaborative investigators.
Environment: The quality of the training provided by the research environment in which the proposed research is to be conducted and the potential for broadening and strengthening the candidate’s ability to conduct innovative and significant research.

TERMS OF THE AWARD

The Hope Funds for Cancer Research is awarding three-year fellowships with a stipend of $56,000 for the first year, $59,000 for the second year, and $62,000 for the third year. A travel grant of $1,500 will be awarded each year to each grantee for the purpose of attending conferences and/or scientific training meetings. All awards and stipends are made to the Institution for the support of the designated Fellow.

Hope Funds for Cancer Research does not permit deductions to cover administrative expenses from either stipend/fellowship or travel grants as a matter of policy. Supplementation of stipends is permitted from either Institution or Sponsor’s grants, but not by any other fellowship awards or grants. The total stipend should not exceed the level of support for other professionals at the same level of training in that institution. The Hope Funds for Cancer Research’s grants are intended for full-time research. The candidates must devote their principal time and effort to the Funds-supported research activities. Any activities in addition to this Fellowship should be clearly specified in the application and in the annual progress report. Fellows are not permitted to pursue additional degrees during the course of their fellowship. Should the Fellow and/or Sponsor wish to discontinue the project, leave the Institution or modify any aspect of the award, he or she must seek approval from the Hope Funds for Cancer Research in advance. Failure to comply with this requirement may jeopardize any future awards to Institution and/or Sponsor by the Fund.

Hope Funds for Cancer Research pays fellowships quarterly to the Institution. These fellowships do not constitute an employer-employee relationship between the Hope Funds for Cancer Research and the Fellow. Detailed annual scientific progress reports are due annual (months 12, 24 and 36), and informal progress reports are due at the ends of months 5, 17, and 29. Financial Reports are due annually.

The invention policy of the Hope Funds for Cancer Research requests adherence by the Fellow to the established patent policy of the Institution where he/she is working. For any discovery made that was funded in any part by a Hope Funds for Cancer Research grant, the Institution shall provide written notification to Hope Funds for Cancer Research within ninety (90) days of the disclosure of any patentable technology, filing of a patent application, or issuance of a patent. In addition, Institutions Technology Transfer Office shall provide a yearly report of the status of the patenting and licensing efforts for each disclosed technology.

In addition, the following documents (PDF) are required of grant awardees:

Acceptance of Award
Intellectual Property Agreement
Expenditure Form
Awards Statement

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1. Strong Scientific Significance & Relevance

The most critical driver of success is proposing research that addresses important problems in cancer detection, treatment, control, or prevention — especially those aligned with SWOG’s mission of improving clinical cancer outcomes. Projects should show a clear rationale that the research will meaningfully advance understanding or clinical practice.

📌 What reviewers look for:

Clear definition of a critical barrier in cancer research

Demonstrated potential to advance cancer science or care

Relevance either to clinical trials or translational pathways

2. Innovation & Novelty

A core review criterion across Hope Foundation-funded mechanisms (including SEED and Impact Awards) is innovation — proposing ideas or methods that go beyond routine incremental research. Projects that could challenge current paradigms or open new avenues for research tend to score higher.

📌 What this means in practice:

Novel therapeutic approaches, biomarkers, or trial designs

Methods that could enable future clinical trials

Early exploratory research with potential for translational impact

3. Investigator Qualifications & Team Strength

Review panels assess whether the PI and collaborators have the experience, expertise, and track record to execute the project successfully. This includes evidence of relevant publications, prior research accomplishments, and complementary skills within the team.

📌 Positive signals include:

Established research record in oncology (clinical, translational, or methodological)

Prior involvement in cooperative group (SWOG) research

Experienced collaborators, particularly when projects are interdisciplinary

4. Strong Research Approach & Feasibility

Reviewers evaluate the conceptual framework, study design, methods, and analytical plan in a manner closely aligned with NIH peer review criteria (significance, innovation, approach, investigators, and environment). A well-reasoned approach with realistic milestones increases the likelihood of success.

📌 Key success factors:

Well justified methods appropriate to the aims

Consideration of alternative strategies and risk management

Evidence that the study can be completed in the proposed timeframe

5. Appropriate Research Environment & Institutional Support

Grants from Hope Foundation mechanisms consider whether the institution where the research will be conducted provides a supportive and high-quality environment — including access to necessary resources, infrastructure, and collaborators.

📌 Environmental indicators of success:

Strong mentorship (especially for early career researchers)

Laboratory or clinical resources appropriate to the project

Institutional commitment to the research area

6. Alignment with SWOG’s Mission (for SWOG/Hope Awards)

Many Hope Foundation awards (e.g., SEED, Impact Awards) specifically fund research that will inform future SWOG clinical trials or derive value from completed SWOG studies. Projects that clearly support SWOG’s network goals in cancer clinical trials are especially competitive.

📌 What this looks like:

Secondary analyses of SWOG clinical trial data

Exploratory translational studies directly tied to future trial concepts

Research designed to strengthen SWOG committee portfolios

🧠 Additional Practical Insights

A. Early/Exploratory Projects with Potential for Future Funding

Programs such as the SWOG Early Exploration & Development (SEED) Fund encourage pilot or early-stage work that can lead to larger extramural research grants. Demonstrating that your project is a strong stepping stone toward broader funding increases competitiveness.

B. Clear Research Impact and Translation Pathway

Even high-risk or exploratory projects succeed more when applicants can articulate how the outcomes might directly inform clinical practice, future trials, or broader cancer research goals — especially when traditional funding might not yet support the idea.

📌 Summary of Top Predictors of Success

Predictor	Why it Matters
Clear scientific significance	Demonstrates direct impact on cancer science or care
Innovation & risk-taking	Signals potential for breakthroughs
Strong investigator/team profile	Builds confidence in execution and publication
Sound methods & feasibility	Ensures project can be completed as proposed
Supportive research environment	Provides infrastructure and mentorship
Alignment with SWOG mission	Enhances relevance to Hope Foundation priorities

Specialties

Cancer

Oncology

Eligibility Requirements

Candidates must have completed one or more of the following degrees or its equivalent: MD, PhD, MD/PhD, DDS, DVM. For foreign-trained physicians, equivalency will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Candidates must conduct their proposed research under a sponsor who holds a formal appointment at the host institution.
Candidates can apply prior to starting or during their postdoctoral appointments provided they have been formally accepted into the lab they are applying from, and current postdoctoral scientists must not have been in their Sponsor’s lab for more than two years as of September 24, 2025.
Candidates who have already accepted other postdoctoral research fellowship awards are not eligible.
The proposed investigation must be conducted at a university, hospital or research institution in the United States.
The Hope Funds for Cancer Research does not support research at for-profit institutions.

Eligible Countries:

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Hope Foundation for Cancer Research

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Drive

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