AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Mid-Career Investigators

The AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Mid-Career Investigators provide $1,000,000 over three years to support innovative research projects aimed at advancing cancer biology and improving patient outcomes. These grants target mid-career researchers, allowing them to explore pioneering ideas and make significant contributions to cancer research. Recipients must attend the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 to formally accept their award, with funds available to help offset attendance costs.

The AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Mid-Career Investigators support cancer researchers at this critical juncture in their careers and enable them to make impactful advances against cancer.
AACR Trailblazer Cancer Research Grants for Mid-Career Investigators
Projects may be exploratory, developmental, or proof of concept. By funding innovative and paradigmshifting research, these grants aim 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. Indirect expenses are not allowed.
Grant recipients must attend the Annual Grantee Recognition Event held during the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 to formally accept their grant. Up to $2000 may be allocated from the grant to offset attendance costs to the Event.