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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 Conquer Cancer Young Investigator Award (YIA) provides funding to promising investigators to encourage and promote quality research in clinical oncology. The purpose of these grants is to fund physicians during the transition from a fellowship program to a faculty appointment. This is a mentored award and the research project is conducted under the guidance of an experienced mentor in the proposed research area. Applications in the applicable areas of cancer research are accepted from U.S. and international applicants.

Funding Available

The YIA is a one-year grant totaling $50,000 that supports personnel and/or research expenses, and travel to attend the Conquer Cancer Grants & Awards Ceremony at the ASCO Annual Meeting. Applicants who are selected to receive a YIA are allowed to receive grants from other funding sources as long as there is no scientific or budgetary overlap.

The number of YIA grants in each funding cycle is not predetermined by Conquer Cancer. Conquer Cancer is committed to funding the most meritorious applications in all areas of cancer research.

For 2027, dedicated donor funding in available for specific areas including but not limited to those listed below. Applications should be submitted under the YIA general competition.

ALK (anaplastic lymphoma kinase) related cancers
Breast cancers
Colon cancer
Genomics
Therapeutics
Pancreatic cancer
Pediatric cancers
Prostate cancer
Sarcoma
Northern California-based researchers

List as of July 1, 2026, will be updated as new funding is confirmed.

Application Instructions

All applications must be submitted in accordance with the requirements and instructions of the Request for Proposals (RFP). All application materials must be in English and must be submitted through the Application Portal. Paper applications or applications sent by e-mail or fax will not be accepted.

The YIA General Competition is open for applicants with research projects focused on all areas of cancer research.

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 must meet the following criteria:

A physician (MD, DO, or international equivalent) working in any country. An MD, PhD is eligible if both degrees are completed prior to the start of the grant period.
At the time of application submission, the applicant must satisfy at least one of the following career stage criteria:
- Within the last two years of their final accredited oncology subspecialty training or fellowship program at an academic medical institution. Eligible programs include, but are not limited to, medical oncology, hematology-oncology, surgical oncology, gynecologic oncology or radiation oncology residency.
- Enrolled in an oncology training program where the dedicated, protected research year is structured to occur during the first year of the program (e.g. standard gynecologic oncology or specialized surgical oncology fellowship.
- Completed their subspecialty training and is within their first year of initial full-time academic faculty appointment (including instructor-level positions).

NOTE: Applicants who do not meet any of the defined career stage criteria and have questions about their eligibility must contact grants@conquer.org before initiating an application. Inquiries must include the applicant’s current CV alongside a detailed explanation of their career stage.

Within 10 years of obtaining their medical degree 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 and to fellows currently enrolled in prolonged, specialized subspecialty tracks. Please see the FAQ for more information or contact grants@conquer.org.
Planning an investigative career in oncology.
Have a valid, active medical license in the country where the research will be conducted at the time of application.
Working in an oncology laboratory or clinical research setting.
Have a mentor from the sponsoring institution. If the mentor is not an ASCO member, a supporting letter from an ASCO member from the sponsoring institution must be included.
A current 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.
Able to commit at least 60% of their time to research (applies to total research activities overall, not just the proposed YIA project) during the award period.

Eligible applicants may apply to both the YIA general and special competitions. However, they may only accept the first formal grant offer they receive, Individuals are permitted to hold only one active Conquer Cancer award at a time.

NOTE: While first year faculty may apply for either the YIA and the Career Development Award (CDA) programs, they are restricted to a single submission. Applicants may only submit one application to either the YIA or the CDA competition and may not submit to both programs simultaneously.

Applicants who are uncertain about their eligibility are encouraged to refer to the Eligibility section in the FAQ or email grants@conquer.org for clarification and provide their latest CV for evaluation.

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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