| Advanced Clinical Research Award (ACRA) |
• To support mid-career clinician-scientists in conducting high-impact clinical or translational research.
• Aims to advance patient-oriented research and improve clinical outcomes.
• Mid-career investigators (generally 5–10 years after first faculty appointment).
• Holds a clinical doctoral degree (MD/DO or equivalent).
• Demonstrated track record in clinical research.
• Affiliated with an eligible institution; often requires professional society membership.
• Commitment of substantial effort (commonly ≥75%) to research.
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• ACRA funds clinical or translational research projects, often focusing on patient-oriented studies, biomarkers, treatment strategies, or disease outcomes.
• In the ASCO/Conquer Cancer model, the award value has been approximately US $450,000 total, typically distributed over 3 years (e.g., $150,000 per year).
• Funding supports research activities such as personnel, patient evaluations, data management, assays, travel (where allowed), and other project-related costs depending on scheme rules.
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• Applications are evaluated by an expert Grants Selection Committee or peer review panel.
• Most awards use a two-stage process comprising:
1. Letter of Intent (LOI) submission and review.
2. Full proposal (invited only if LOI is approved).
• Final decisions are made by the foundation/organization and announced publicly.
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You can apply (or view full details and download the Request for Proposals) via the ACRA application portal:
Application Portal — Advanced Clinical Research Award (ACRA)
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| Career Development Award (CDA) |
• To support early-career investigators in developing into independent researchers.
• Provides protected research time, mentorship, and funding to build research skills and preliminary data for future major grants.
• Early-career stage (usually within 3–5 years of first faculty appointment or completion of training).
• Holds a doctoral degree (MD/DO/PhD or equivalent).
• Affiliated with an eligible academic or research institution.
• Often requires a mentored research plan and sometimes society membership (depending on sponsor).
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• Nature: Mentored award focusing on career development + research.
• Total funding: US $200,000 over three years.
• The grant can be used for personnel and/or research expenses, and also covers travel (e.g. to attend the Conquer Cancer Grants & Awards Ceremony) if applicable.
• Duration: Typically 1–3 years (sometimes extendable up to 5 years).
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• Competitive peer-review process.
Selection based on:
• Quality and feasibility of research proposal
• Candidate’s career potential
• Strength of mentorship and institutional environment
• Some programs use two-stage review (pre-proposal + full application).
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• Check the official grant announcement on
https://www.asco.org/career-development/grants-awards/funding-opportunities/career-development-award
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| Young Investigator Awards (YIA) |
• To encourage young/early-career researchers to initiate basic, clinical, or translational research.
• Aims to promote research interest, innovation, and early academic growth.
• Young investigators (students, residents, fellows, PhD scholars, or early faculty).
• Usually within a defined age limit or years after training (varies by sponsor).
• Holds or pursuing a relevant degree (MBBS/MD/PhD or equivalent).
• Institutional affiliation required; society membership may be needed.
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• Nature: Small research grant or recognition award.
• Supports pilot studies, short-term projects, or preliminary research.
• Duration: Typically 6 months to 2 years.
• Award amount: USD 50,000 for a one-year project.
• funds may be used for research expenses, personnel (including stipend or salary), lab supplies, and travel (e.g. to attend the grants/awards ceremony at an ASCO Annual Meeting), as applicable.
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• Competitive peer review or expert committee evaluation.
• Based on:
1. Research proposal quality
2. Innovation and feasibility
3. Investigator’s potential
• Some YIAs include oral/poster presentation at conferences.
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• Check the official YIA announcement on the
https://www.asco.org/career-development/grants-awards/funding-opportunities/young-investigator-award
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| Global Oncology Young Investigator Award (GOYIA) |
• To support young investigators from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) in conducting global oncology research.
• Aims to improve cancer care, outcomes, and equity in resource-limited settings.
• Early-career investigators (students, residents, fellows, junior faculty).
• Based in or working on projects relevant to LMIC/global oncology settings.
• Holds a relevant degree (MD/MBBS/DO/PhD or equivalent).
• Institutional affiliation required; ASCO or sponsoring-society membership may be required.
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• Nature: Research grant / young investigator support.
• Supports pilot or feasibility studies in global oncology.
• Duration: Usually 1–2 years.
• Award amount: US $50,000 for a one-year project.
• Funding can be used for research expenses (personnel, project costs) to support the proposed global oncology research.
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• Competitive peer review by expert committee.
Selection based on:
• Relevance to global oncology
• Scientific merit and feasibility
• Investigator potential
• Impact on cancer care in LMICs
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• find full program details and apply via the official portal here GO YIA — Application Portal (ASCO)
asco.smapply.org
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| International Innovation Grant (IIG) |
• To support innovative oncology research addressing region-specific cancer challenges.
• Promotes international collaboration and development of novel approaches in cancer care.
• Investigators from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Early- to mid-career clinicians or researchers.
• Holds a relevant degree (MD/MBBS/PhD or equivalent).
• Institutional affiliation required; professional society membership (e.g., ASCO) may be required.
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• Nature: Research grant for innovative or pilot projects.
• Focus on clinical, translational, or implementation research.
• Duration: Usually 1–2 years.
• Grant amount: Up to USD 20,000 for a one-year project.
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• Competitive peer-review process.
• Selection based on:
• Innovation and originality
• Feasibility
• Local relevance and impact
• Investigator capability
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View full details, download the Request for Proposals (RFP), and submit your application through the IIG application portal at ASCO
https://asco.smapply.org/
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| International Development and Education Award (IDEA) |
• To strengthen oncology education, training, and capacity building in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Aims to improve cancer care delivery through education, mentorship, and knowledge exchange.
• Oncology professionals or educators from LMICs.
• Early- to mid-career clinicians, educators, or researchers.
• Institutional affiliation required; professional society membership (e.g., ASCO) may be required.
• Commitment to implement educational activities in home institution/country.
There is also a variant called IDEA–Palliative Care Award (IDEA-PC) for palliative-care specialists in LMICs.
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• Nature: Education and development grant (not primarily research).
• Supports training programs, curriculum development, workshops, and mentorship.
• Duration: Usually 1 year (sometimes extendable).
• Funding supports educational activities and limited travel/training costs.
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• Competitive peer review.
• Selection based on:
• Relevance to local oncology education needs
• Feasibility and sustainability
• Applicant’s leadership potential
• Institutional support
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Check the official IDEA award announcement at
https://asco.smapply.org/prog/IDEA/
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| Long-term International Fellowship (LIFE) |
• designed for early-career oncologists from LMICs. The goal is to support their advanced training by enabling a sustained mentorship with a host institution in the U.S., Canada, or Europe.
• The fellowship combines in-person clinical and research training (at the host institution) with subsequent virtual mentorship — facilitating long-term collaboration and capacity building
• Indian citizens
• Working in a recognized Indian institution (university, medical college, R&D institute).
• Regular/permanent employees (or as specified in guidelines).
• Possession of MD/MS/MDS/PhD or equivalent postgraduate degree.
• Relevant research experience and institutional sponsorship.
• Must return to India after completion of fellowship.
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• Training-based fellowship (non-degree), including laboratory/clinical research exposure at a reputed foreign institution.
• Typically 6–12 months (non-extendable, as per scheme rules).
• The current cycle lists USD 60,000 as the fellowship value.
• The fellowship structure generally includes: up to 6 months of in-person clinical/research training at the host institution followed by 6–12 months of virtual mentorship.
• Upon return to the home institution, the fellow continues their research with virtual mentor collaboration.
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Selection:
• Screening of applications
• Peer review/expert evaluation
• Final approval by the competent committee/authority
Mode
• Fellowship awarded on competitive basis.
• Financial support includes:
• Monthly fellowship/stipend
• Contingency and travel support
• Other admissible expenses as per rules.
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Obtain full program details & download Request for Proposals) at the official LIFe portal:
https://asco.smapply.org/prog/LIFe/
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