​Applicants must have a doctoral degree (including PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral degree.

At the start of the grant term on July 1, 2020, applicants must hold a full-time, mentored research position with the title of postdoctoral fellow, clinical research fellow, or the equivalent; have completed their most recent doctoral degree within the past five years (i.e., degree cannot have been conferred before July 1, 2015); and work under the auspices of a mentor at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world.

Applicants with a medical degree must have completed his or her most recent doctoral degree or medical residency - whichever date is later - within the past five years.

Employees or subcontractors of a U.S. government entity or for-profit private industry are not eligible. Postdoctoral fellows conducting research in a U.S. government laboratory (e.g., NIH, CDC, FDA, etc.), are not eligible.

Investigators may submit only one application for the AACR Immuno-oncology Research Fellowships but may concurrently apply for other AACR grants. However, applicants are expected to accept the first grant they are awarded. Individuals may accept and hold only one AACR grant at a time.

Any individual who currently holds an active AACR grant may not apply. Past AACR grantees may apply if they complied with all progress and financial report requirements.  

Investigators currently or previously holding the rank of instructor, adjunct professor, assistant professor, research assistant professor, the equivalent or higher are not eligible. Qualified researchers are invited to apply for an AACR Career Development Award.

Applicants who believe that they are at the level of postdoctoral or clinical research fellow, but hold a different title may be eligible and should contact the AACR's Scientific Review and Grants Administration at grants@aacr.org before submitting an application.