AACR-World Cancer Research Fund International-Prevent Cancer Foundation Cancer Prevention Research Fellowship
The AACR-World Cancer Research Fund International-Prevent Cancer Foundation Cancer Prevention Research Fellowship represents a joint effort to encourage and support a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow conducting primary cancer prevention research. The fellowship is intended to advance research that helps stop cancer before it starts by identifying, reducing, or interrupting cancer risk factors and the earliest biological processes that lead to cancer, while establishing a successful career path in this field.
This fellowship provides a two-year grant of $130,000 to support the salary and benefits of the fellow while working on a mentored primary cancer prevention research project. Up to 50% of the funds may be designated for non-personnel expenses, such as research/laboratory supplies, equipment, publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project, and other research expenses. Each grantee will be required to attend an Annual AACR Grantee Recognition Event to formally accept their grant. Up to $2,000 of the grant funds may be used to support travel costs. Up to $1,000 may also be used for travel expenses to the annual Grantee Summit.
Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available for download. Please read all program guidelines and instructions carefully before submitting an Application.
Research projects must be basic, clinical, translational, or population sciences in nature and must have direct applicability and relevance to primary cancer prevention, with a focus on preventing cancer before it starts by reducing risk, modifying exposures, preventing cancer-related infections, or identifying biological mechanisms and interventions that can interrupt cancer initiation.
Projects focused primarily on screening, early detection, surveillance, diagnosis, treatment of established cancer, or management of precancerous lesions are not the central focus of this fellowship unless they are clearly tied to a primary prevention objective.
At the start of the grant term (December 1, 2026), 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 submission to confirm they will hold an eligible position.
- Have completed their most recent doctoral degree within the past five years (i.e., degree cannot have been conferred before December 1, 2021; 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 5-year window may be granted for up to 12 months of parental or justified personal/family leave. Applicants exceeding the 5-year limit who believe they are eligible must contact the AACR’s RGA before submitting their application.
- Applicants with a medical degree must have completed their most recent doctoral degree or medical residency – whichever date is later – within the past five years.
- 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 (December 1, 2026), 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 (i.e., December 1, 2026). Also, the terms of their current grant must stipulate that the final progress reports be approved by the AACR before December 1, 2026.
- 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 an application to verify your eligibility.
There are no citizenship or geographic requirements. However, by submitting an application for this grant, applicants applying from an institution in a country where they are not a citizen or permanent resident confirm that their work status will allow them to complete the project and grant term.
By the submission deadline, applicants must be AACR members in good standing (dues paid for the current year):
- Information on AACR membership, including membership categories, due rates, and steps for lapsed or nonmembers, can be accessed on our membership website.
- Assistance with membership can be requested by submitting a myAACR help form or by contacting our Membership Department at [email protected].
- Applicants whose membership is not in good standing or nonmembers who do not apply for membership by the submission deadline will be considered ineligible.
The AACR requires applicants to complete an online Application submission by 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, September 22, 2026, using the ProposalCentral website.
Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available in PDF format.