AACR John and Elizabeth Leonard Basic Cancer Research Fellowship

At the start of the grant term (July 1, 2027), applicants must:

• Have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field.
• Hold a mentored research position with the title of postdoctoral fellow, clinical research fellow, or the equivalent
  • If eligibility is based on a future position, the position must be confirmed at the time of submission and CANNOT be contingent upon receiving this grant. Applicants are advised to contact the AACR’s Research and Grants Administration (RGA) at [email protected] before submitting their Letter of Intent to confirm they will hold an eligible position.
• Have completed their most recent doctoral degree or medical residency within the past three years (i.e., degree conferral or medical residency completion date is July 1, 2024, or later; the formal date of receipt of the degree is the date the degree was conferred, as indicated on your diploma and/or transcript). Exceptions to the 3-year window may be granted for up to 12 months of parental or justified personal/family leave. Applicants exceeding the 3-year limit who believe they are eligible must contact the AACR’s RGA before submitting their Letter of Intent.
• Be able to dedicate at least 50% effort to the proposed research project throughout the duration of the grant term.
• Work under the auspices of a mentor at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world.

At the start of the grant term (July 1, 2027), applicants cannot:

• Be a candidate for a further doctoral degree.
• Be an employee or subcontractor of a U.S. federal government entity or for-profit private industry. They may serve as collaborators, but no grant funds may be directed toward these individuals.
• Concurrently hold another AACR grant.
  • Current AACR grantees may apply only if their current grant ends before the start of the grant term for this funding opportunity (July 1, 2027). Also, the terms of their current grant must stipulate that the final progress reports be approved by the AACR before July 1, 2027.
• Be, or have been, at the rank of instructor, adjunct professor, assistant professor, research assistant professor, the equivalent, or higher. Qualified researchers are invited to apply for an AACR Career Development Award.
  • Exception: If you are an MD who is considered a postdoctoral fellow but hold the title of instructor so that you can see patients, you may be eligible. Potential applicants possessing an MD are encouraged to contact AACR’s RGA before submitting a Letter of Intent to verify your eligibility.

All applicants with questions about eligibility should contact the AACR’s Research and Grants Administration at [email protected] before submitting a Letter of Intent.