AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Early-Stage Investigators

AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Early-Stage Investigators

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Association for Cancer Research
Amount: US $1,000,000
Last Updated: May 19, 2025

Summary

The AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants support early-stage investigators aiming to advance cancer research. These grants provide $1,000,000 over three years to empower researchers in innovative projects that can lead to groundbreaking discoveries and improved patient outcomes. Applicants should hold a doctoral degree and have begun their first independent faculty position within the last six years. The grants encourage exploratory and developmental projects without geographic restrictions.

Overview

American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the first and largest cancer research organization dedicated to accelerating the conquest of cancer. Mission The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer through: ResearchEducationCommunicationCollaborationScience Policy and AdvocacyFunding for Cancer Research Through its programs and services, the AACR fosters research in cancer and related biomedical science; accelerates the dissemination of new research findings among scientists and others dedicated to the conquest of cancer; promotes science education and training; and advances the understanding of cancer etiology, prevention, diagnosis, and treatment throughout the world. AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Early-Stage Investigators The AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Early-Stage Investigators aim to empower and support cancer researchers, help launch their careers, and enable them to become thought leaders in the field. These grants are intended to provide talented investigators with the resources and dedicated time to establish innovative, emerging research projects. Projects may be exploratory, developmental, or proof of concept. By funding paradigm-shifting research, these grants are intended to advance the understanding of cancer biology, drive groundbreaking translational discoveries, and/or improve patient outcomes. The grants provide $1,000,000 over three years for expenses related to the research project, which may include salary and benefits of the grant recipient and collaborators (limited to 20% of the total budget), postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, graduate students (including tuition costs associated with graduate students’ education and training), or research assistants; research laboratory supplies; equipment; publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project; and other research expenses.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Applicants must hold a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent)  and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral degree.At the start of the grant term, applicants must:Hold a tenure-eligible appointment (or equivalent, if institution does not follow a tenure system) at the rank of assistant professor. If eligibility is based on a future position, the position must be confirmed at the time of letter of intent 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 the AACR’s Research and Grants Administration Department before submitting their letter of intent for information on additional verification materials/signatures that may be required.Have started their first independent faculty position with the title of assistant professor within the past 6 years from the grant start date. Have independent laboratory space and be able to hold independent funding as confirmed by their institution.Work at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world.Research Project CriteriaProposed projects may be exploratory, developmental, or proof of concept. By funding paradigm-shifting research, these grants aim to advance the understanding of cancer biology, drive groundbreaking translational discoveries, and/or improve patient outcomes.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 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.Investigators may submit only one application for the AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Early-Stage Investigators 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. You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member. Applicants must be AACR Active members in good standing.

Ineligibility

Indirect expenses are not allowed.Projects that are currently supported by NIH R01 grants, or the equivalent, will not be accepted.Appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible. Applicants may not hold, or be under consideration for, a tenured academic position at the time of the application.Applicants that have progressed to associate professor appointments are not eligible.Employees or subcontractors of a U.S. government entity or for-profit private industry are not eligible.Employees or subcontractors of a U.S. government entity or for-profit private industry may serve as Collaborators, but no grant funds may be directed towards these individuals.Postdoctoral or clinical research fellows or the equivalent who are working under the auspices of a scientific mentor are not eligible to apply. Members of the Scientific Review Committee are not eligible to apply for The AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Early-Stage Investigators.Scientific investigators or health professionals who are funded by the tobacco industry for any research project are not eligible for any AACR grant.