Through the generosity of its loyal supporters, AACR is pleased to provide financial support to meritorious undergraduate students and early-career scientists to assist them in attending the AACR Annual Meeting. Detailed information about these award programs, including eligibility and selection criteria, is available below. 

AACR Scholar-in-Training Awards 

Exclusive Member Benefit 

Scholar-in-Training Awards are available for Associate Members in good standing who are the presenters of meritorious proffered papers at the AACR Annual Meeting 2027. Nonmember graduate students, medical students and residents, clinical fellows or equivalent, and postdoctoral fellows who wish to apply for a Scholar-in-Training Award should submit their AACR membership applications at least one month prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time for processing. To apply for a Scholar-in-Training Award, applicants must first submit an abstract and then complete a separate award application. While awards will be based on meritorious applications across scientific disciplines, some funding for the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 has been designated to support awards for applicants meeting specific scientific or geographic criteria. For details of the application process and the selection criteria, please visit the Scholar-in-Training Award page. Additional information will be posted as it becomes available. Application Deadline: November 10, 2026 

AACR Global Scholar-in-Training Awards  

Global Scholar-in-Training Awards (GSITA) are available for eligible early-career investigators in countries building cancer research capacities. Applicants must submit an abstract to the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 and then complete a separate GSITA application. 

Applicants must be Associate Members of AACR in good standing (membership current through 2026). Student Members completing a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS), or other international undergraduate medical degree equivalent to an advanced medical degree in the United States, are also welcome to apply. Nonmember undergraduate students pursuing an international medical degree, graduate students, medical students and residents, clinical fellows or equivalent, and postdoctoral fellows who wish to apply for a GSITA should submit an AACR membership application at least one month prior to the deadline to allow sufficient time for processing. The membership application should be submitted before submitting a GSITA application. For additional details and a list of eligible countries, visit the GSITA page. Application Deadline: November 10, 2026 

AACR-Amgen Global Scholar-in-Training Awards 

The GSITA program is expanding its support for early-career cancer researchers across Africa through the new AACR-Amgen Global Scholar-in-Training Award (AACR-Amgen GSITA). Launched earlier this year, the Amgen GSITA provides an additional opportunity for eligible cancer researchers in Africa to participate in the global cancer research community. Five Amgen GSITA recipients will attend the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 and will also have the opportunity to participate in the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer (AORTIC) International Conference in 2027, supporting continued engagement, leadership development, and regional collaboration. For additional details, eligibility requirements, and a list of eligible countries, visit the GSITA page. Application Deadline: November 10, 2026 

AACR Patient Advocates in Cancer Research Awards  

AACR Patient Advocates in Cancer Research Awards are available to patient advocates presenting meritorious abstracts at the AACR Annual Meeting. To apply for this award, an applicant must first submit an abstract and then complete a separate award application. For more information, please visit the Patient Advocacy page. Application Deadline: November 10, 2026 

AACR Early-Career Scholar in the Field of Cancer Research Awards  

Presenters of proffered papers who are full-time predoctoral (graduate or medical) students, residents, and clinical or postdoctoral fellows who are engaged in cancer research or have the training and potential to make contributions to this field are encouraged to apply for this scholar award. This competitive award program will provide funds to talented and highly meritorious early-career trainees in the field of cancer research to support and present their research at high-caliber national scientific conferences organized by AACR. Only citizens of the United States or Canada, or scientists who are permanent residents of these countries, may receive this award. For details or to apply, visit the award page. Application Deadline: November 24, 2026 

AACR Faculty Scholar in the Field of Cancer Research Awards  

This program will provide funds to support the participation of full-time highly meritorious full-time faculty (including junior faculty at the level of assistant professor) in high-caliber national scientific conferences organized by AACR. Full-time faculty members who are presenting a proffered paper at the AACR Annual Meeting are encouraged to apply for this highly competitive scholar award. 

These awards are intended to increase the scientific knowledge base of faculty to encourage them in their research, and to assist them in inspiring their students to pursue careers in cancer research. Only citizens of the United States or Canada, or scientists who are permanent residents of these countries, may receive this award. For details or to submit an application, visit the award page. Application Deadline: November 24, 2026

AACR Undergraduate Scholar Awards 

AACR is pleased to offer this highly competitive award program which is intended to inspire promising third-year science students to enter the field of cancer research and provides students with the unique opportunity to network with peers and senior investigators around the world. A separate application form is required. To learn more about this award program, visit the award page. Application Deadline: December 4, 2026 

AACR-Women in Cancer Research (WICR) Scholar Awards 

The WICR Scholar awards support the participation of investigators in the AACR Annual Meeting. These awards are given annually to any member of Women in Cancer Research and are full-time scientists-in-training who are graduate students, medical students, residents, clinical fellows or equivalent, or postdoctoral fellows and presenters of meritorious scientific papers at this AACR Annual Meeting. 

The purposes of this award program are to increase the scientific knowledge base of Women in Cancer Research members and to encourage them to pursue careers in cancer research. For details or to apply, visit the award page. Application Deadline: November 10, 2026 

AACR–Oncology Nursing Society (AACR–ONS/ONF) Oncology Nurse Scholar Program 

Through the AACR–Oncology Nursing Society (AACR–ONS) partnership, AACR and the Oncology Nursing Foundation (ONF) are pleased to support the participation of oncology nurses at the AACR Annual Meeting. The AACR–ONF Oncology Nurse Scholar Program provides oncology nurses with the opportunity to attend the AACR Annual Meeting scientific program, engage with cutting-edge cancer research, and participate in a dedicated mentorship and networking program.

Scholars will engage with AACR’s internationally recognized leaders in basic, translational, clinical, and population science, as well as experts in clinical trials, precision oncology, artificial intelligence, cancer prevention, survivorship, and patient advocacy. Through scientific sessions, mentorship, and interdisciplinary networking, the program is designed to strengthen the integration of oncology nursing and cancer research while fostering professional development and collaboration across the cancer research continuum. 

The AACR–ONF Oncology Nurse Scholar Program aims to cultivate future leaders in oncology nursing by expanding scientific knowledge, encouraging lifelong learning, and facilitating the translation of research discoveries into improved patient care. 

Details regarding eligibility, the application process, selection criteria, and program requirements will be available late September 2026.