Breast Cancer Research Foundation-AACR NextGen Grant for Transformative Cancer Research in Honor of Nancy E. Davidson, MD
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF)-AACR NextGen Grant for Transformative Cancer Research In Honor OF Nancy E. Davidson, MD represents the AACR’s flagship funding initiative to stimulate highly innovative research from young investigators. This grant mechanism is intended to promote and support creative, paradigm-shifting cancer research that may not be funded through conventional channels. It is expected that these grants will catalyze significant scientific discoveries and help talented young investigators gain scientific independence.
The proposed project may be basic, translational, clinical, or population-based research in nature and must have direct applicability and relevance to breast cancer.
The grant provides $450,000 over three years for expenses related to the research project, which may include salary and benefits of the grant recipient, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, graduate students (including tuition costs), and research assistants, research/laboratory supplies, equipment, travel applicable to the research project, publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project, other research expenses, and indirect costs.
Program Guidelines and Competitive Letter of Intent Instructions are available in PDF format.
The proposed research must represent a highly innovative approach to a major contemporary challenge in cancer research. The funded project must have the potential to lead to groundbreaking discoveries in the field, and transform our understanding of the tumorigenesis process and/or our ability to treat, detect, or prevent cancer. While proposals may be basic, translational, clinical, or population-based in nature, they must demonstrate clear relevance and direct applicability to breast cancer.
At the start of the grant term (July 1, 2026), applicants must:
- Hold a tenure-eligible appointment (or equivalent, if institution does not follow a tenure system) at the rank of assistant professor (appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible. Applicants who have progressed to associate professor appointments are also not eligible.)
- 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.
- If the future position is at a different institution than the applicant’s current institution, the applicant must contact AACR’s Research and Grants Administration Department (AACR’s RGA) at [email protected] before submitting their Letter of Intent for information on additional verification materials/signatures that may be required.
- Have held a tenure-eligible assistant professor appointment for no more than three years (i.e., cannot have held a tenure-eligible appointment prior to July 1, 2023)
- Work at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world
There are no citizenship or geographic requirements. However, by submitting a Letter of Intent for this grant, an applicant applying from an institution located in a country in which they are not a citizen or a permanent resident assures that the visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project and grant term at the institution from which they applied.
Applicants must be Active AACR members in good standing (dues paid for the current year). Please be informed that no dues are required for members located in countries building cancer research capacities (view list of eligible countries here). Nonmembers interested in this grant opportunity must submit a satisfactory application for AACR membership by the Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline. Nonmembers can apply for membership online. Please review the Membership Categories for the category that best fits your qualifications. Nonmembers must obtain a statement of support from a nominator who is an Active AACR member in good standing (dues paid for the current year). Nonmembers requiring assistance with finding a nominator may email [email protected] and include your geographical location to receive a list of members in your area to contact for nominations. For more information check the membership FAQ. Members can renew their membership through myAACR. You will need your logon (email address) and password to access the member portal. If you require assistance logging in, please submit a help form. Lapsed members must be members in good standing by the Letter of Intent deadline and should contact the Membership Department at [email protected] for assistance.
The AACR requires applicants to complete an online Letter of Intent submission by 1 p.m. ET on Thursday, December 18, 2025, using the ProposalCentral website.
Program Guidelines and Competitive Letter of Intent Instructions are available in PDF format.