In support of its mission to promote the education and training of cancer scientists and clinicians, and to cultivate a highly skilled and diverse cancer research workforce, the AACR provides AACR Annual Meeting attendees at all career stages—from high school and undergraduate students to senior investigators—with opportunities to advance their careers.

NextGen Stars

The prestigious and competitive NextGen Stars program offers early-career and early-stage scientists an opportunity to apply to give a presentation in a Major Symposium or Advances Session at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026. Speaking slots are limited and are only available to AACR Associate Members and to AACR Active Members who are not above the level of assistant professor or equivalent. The NextGen Stars program provides an exciting opportunity to increase the visibility of early-career and early stage scientists at the AACR Annual Meeting and to support their professional development and advancement.

The deadline to submit applications is 5 p.m. U.S. ET, September 30, 2025. Applications consist of an extended abstract (limit 8,000 characters), a CV, and a letter of recommendation from a PI, department head, or another mentor who is familiar with the applicant’s work. Applicants selected as NextGen Stars for 2026 will receive travel support and complimentary registration for the meeting. Details can be found on the NextGen Stars page.

Professional Advancement

Series Exclusive Member Benefit

The Professional Advancement Series of sessions has long been an integral part of the AACR Annual Meeting experience and is dedicated to the education, training, and career advancement of cancer research investigators at all stages of their careers. A collaborative effort each year by the AACR Science Education and Career Advancement Committee, Minorities in Cancer Research (MICR) Council, Women in Cancer Research (WICR) Council, Associate Member Council (AMC), and the Publications Committee, these sessions provide several interactive and engaging professional development and career advancement opportunities to investigators at all levels, including students, early-career scientists, and early-stage investigators. 

All Professional Advancement Sessions are free and exclusive to AACR members. There is no cost to join the AACR as an Associate Member (graduate students, medical students and residents, and clinical and postdoctoral fellows who are enrolled in education or training programs that could lead to a career in cancer research) or Student Member (undergraduate and high school students). If you are not an AACR member, you are strongly encouraged to join the AACR and take advantage of the opportunity to attend these sessions and receive the many other benefits of membership, including the privilege of sponsoring abstracts, significantly reduced member registration rates, and more.

Apply for AACR Membership

The full listing of sessions in the Professional Development Series to be held at the Annual Meeting 2026 will be announced in the fall. Space is limited and participation is available on a first-come, first-served basis for all sessions.

21th Annual Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition

Saturday, April 18, 2026
With more than 250 undergraduate student participants every year, the AACR Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition continues to be the premier event for undergraduate students attending the AACR Annual Meeting. Now in its 21st year, this program provides undergraduate students with the opportunity to learn more about current research in the cancer field, hear from investigators about educational pathways and career development, explore career options in the cancer field, and compete for the Margaret Foti Foundation Undergraduate Prizes for Cancer Research while presenting research. Undergraduates at all levels and postbaccalaureate students are welcome to participate in this highly anticipated program at no cost. To learn more about this exciting opportunity, contact [email protected].

Abstract Submission Deadline (presenting): March 6, 2026
Registration Deadline (non-presenting): March 13, 2026

AACR Special Program for High School Students: The Conquest of Cancer and the Next Generation of Cancer Researchers

Tuesday, April 21, 2026
The Special Program for High School Students promotes interactions between senior cancer scientists and promising students in order to facilitate the contributions of these students to scientific research and the conquest of cancer. Don’t miss this wonderful opportunity to learn about cancer research and careers in biomedical research and medicine. The session is free, but space is limited. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Abstract Submission Deadline (presenting): March 6, 2026
Registration Deadline (non-presenting): March 13, 2026

CancerCareers.org

CancerCareers.org offers unparalleled career services and opportunities to cancer and biomedical researchers seeking to advance their scientific careers, and to employers who seek to recruit scientists.

Scientists looking for their next career opportunity can access CancerCareers.org to create a user profile, create job alerts, and browse through and apply for any of the hundreds of position openings advertised by some of the world’s leading pharmaceutical companies, cancer research institutions, government agencies, and academia. The site also has the capability to store CVs/resumes, and search for various research categories.

Employers have the ability to post an unlimited number of position announcements onto the CancerCareers.org website, with the potential of reaching thousands of highly qualified scientists at all scientific levels who are interested in cancer and biomedical research, as well as in epidemiological and behavioral research opportunities. In addition, the CV/resume database that holds information on these highly qualified scientists is available to employers for their review and consideration. Contact [email protected] for more information.

Visit CancerCareers.org

AACR Annual Cancer and Biomedical Research Career Fair

The AACR Annual Cancer and Biomedical Research Career Fair will take place at the AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago, Illinois on Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. For details, contact [email protected].

Learn More about the Career Fair

Employers will:

• Meet with candidates at all scientific levels
• Post open positions
• Review CVs/resumes

Job seekers will:

• Meet with employers face-to-face from academia, industry, and government institutions
• Upload CVs/resumes on CancerCareers.org
• Sign up for Job Alerts CancerCareers.org Hub

CancerCareers Hub

The AACR provides Career and Professional Development opportunities to scientists at all career levels at the CancerCareers Hub. The AACR will host several Career Development and recruiting events at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 beginning on Sunday, April 19, through Wednesday, April 22, 2026, in the CancerCareers Hub, located in AACR Central in the San Diego Convention Center.

The CancerCareers Hub is open during the following hours:

• Sunday, April 19: 12-5 p.m.
• Monday, April 20: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 21: 9 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 22: 9 a.m.-12 p.m.

Create a free jobseeker profile to search for positions, post a CV/Resume, create Job Alerts, and take advantage of other features. For more information, contact [email protected].

Networking Hubs

Taking place on Sunday, April 19, 2026, from 6:30-8 p.m., the AACR Networking Hubs will once again offer a “can’t miss” opportunity for young investigators. The Hubs will target several rapidly advancing areas of research. There will be no formal program, but the Hubs offer a fun opportunity to socialize and network with colleagues, potential collaborators, and some of the most respected investigators in the cancer research community. More information will be provided in early 2026.