American Association for Cancer Research

Scholar-in-Training Awards: Annual Meeting

Scholar-in-Training Awards provide financial support for early-career scientists to attend the AACR Annual Meeting. Since its inception in 1986, the program has provided over 3,200 grants and has received support from more than 30 cancer research foundations, corporations, individuals, and other organizations dedicated to the fight against cancer.

Eligibility

  • Eligible candidates are graduate students, medical students and residents, clinical fellows or equivalent, and postdoctoral fellows.
  • Eligible candidates must be the presenter of a proffered paper.
  • Employees or subcontractors of private industry are not eligible.
  • Eligible candidates may be traveling within the U.S. or from abroad. Some awards are specifically designated for those traveling from Asia, Europe, and countries with emerging economies.

    posters

  • Eligibility is not generally restricted to current AACR Associate Members. However, as a benefit of membership, awards sponsored by Aflac, Incorporated are restricted to Associate Members, and selection for other awards may give preference to Associate Members, other factors being equal.  There is no need to apply for a specific award; candidates are automatically considered for all awards for which they qualify. 

Application

The application process is conducted within the Abstract Submitter. Qualified persons who wish to be considered for an award must check the box "(A) AACR Scholar-in-Training Award" on the page, "Awards/Support for Attendance at the AACR Annual Meeting."

Scholar-in-Training Awards with Special Application Procedures:

Selection & Notification

These competitive awards are based upon the novelty, quality, and significance of the abstract submitted. AACR staff are not able to provide information about specific abstract ratings. If a candidate's abstract is determined to be a finalist for an award, a Certification Form will be sent in January to confirm his or her eligibility. Due to the large number of submissions, only finalists will be notified. Recipients of AACR Scholar-in-Training Awards will receive notification separate from abstract acceptance and scheduling information.

Note: Selection for presentation in a poster session or minisymposium does not mean that the presenter will receive an AACR Scholar-in-Training Award as these awards are highly competitive.

Award Terms

Meeting the funders

A stipend (from $400-$2,000 depending on the geographic location of the recipient or the type of award) will be presented to recipients on-site. Recipients may pick up their check and welcome package at the Associate Member Resource and Career Center.

Photo identification will be required to collect the award check. If an award recipient is unable to attend the meeting or will not be the presenter of the abstract, the award must be forfeited. Please note that for residents of the United States these awards may be considered taxable income by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service unless receipts justifying expenditures are submitted following the meeting.

Award recipients are still required to pay the Annual Meeting registration fee and make their own travel and housing arrangements.

Inquiries

Inquiries may be directed to mona.shater@aacr.org.

SPOTLIGHT

The AACR gratefully acknowledges the support of the following supporters of Scholar-in-Training Awards and International Travel Grants:


Aflac, Incorporated
: Recognizing outstanding proffered papers by early-career scientists. Reserved for those who are Associate Members of the AACR.

Avon Foundation: Providing travel support to abstract presenters working in breast cancer or other female cancers travelling from countries where opportunities for advancement are limited. 

Bristol-Myers Squibb Oncology: Recognizing outstanding proffered papers by early-career scientists.

Busch Travel Fund: Recognizing outstanding proffered papers by early-career scientists.

GlaxoSmithKline: Provides multi-meeting travel support to early-career scientists presenting outstanding papers in clinical cancer research through the GlaxoSmithKline Outstanding Clinical Scholar Awards.

Gerald B. Grindey Memorial Fund: For a meritorious proffered paper in the field of preclinical science. The late Dr. Grindey was a dedicated member of the AACR and a distinguished scientist at Eli Lilly and Company.

ITO EN, Ltd.: For presenters of meritorious proffered papers in clinical and human studies who reside in Asian countries.

Molecular Epidemiology Working Group of the AACR: Provides travel support and membership in MEG to early-career scientists presenting outstanding abstracts in the field of molecular epidemiology.

Merck: Recognizing outstanding proffered papers by early-career scientists.

Gary J. Miller Memorial Fund: For a meritorious proffered paper directly related to prostate cancer research. The late Dr. Miller, a dedicated member of the AACR, was one of the leading prostate cancer researchers in the world and Chair of the NIH Pathology B Study Section.

The Pezcoller Foundation: Provides travel support recognizing outstanding proffered papers by early-career scientists in Europe.

Prostate Cancer Foundation: Provides multi-meeting travel support for early-career scientists presenting an outstanding proffered paper in advanced prostate cancer research through the AACR-Prostate Cancer Foundation Recognition Awards.

The Warner Fund: Support early-career investigators who will be presenting proffered paper relating to cholangial carcinoma. Established in memory of John Wayne Warner by his family.

Women in Cancer Research: Provides travel support to members of WICR presenting outstanding proffered papers through the AACR-WICR Scholar Awards