Damon Runyon Quantitative Biology Fellowship Grant

Damon Runyon Quantitative Biology Fellowship Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation
Amount: Up to US $240,000
Last Updated: April 30, 2025

Summary

The Damon Runyon Quantitative Biology Fellowship aims to support computational scientists who integrate quantitative methods with biological research, especially in cancer biology. This three-year fellowship encourages applicants with diverse backgrounds in fields such as mathematics and engineering, fostering collaboration between computational and cancer biology labs. Awardees may receive up to $100,000 to alleviate medical school debt. The program seeks to cultivate the next generation of leaders in cancer research by providing essential resources and mentorship.

Overview

Computational biologists apply theoretical principles and develop analysis and inference methods to decipher and understand biological systems. They are experts in quantitative approaches, data science and algorithms, while also having in-depth knowledge of complex biological processes. Particularly in cancer biology, there is a growing need for computational biology leaders with expertise and understanding in both quantitative and biological sciences. The purpose of the Damon Runyon Quantitative Biology Fellowship is to identify computational scientists who innovatively combine quantitative analyses and modeling to solve biological questions. To achieve this goal the award program will support computational scientists who are deeply connected to biology labs so that they can bring their computational skills to bear on important biological questions, particularly in cancer. Additionally, the proposed mentored research training must reflect the individual's potential to develop into a productive, independent cancer research scientist. This award program encourages scientists, trained in fields such as mathematics, computer science, physics, engineering, and/or a related field, to pursue research careers in computational biology under the joint mentorship of leaders in both computational science (“dry lab”) and cancer biology (“wet lab”). By investing in this area, Damon Runyon will bring additional attention to the importance of these specially trained scientists for making meaningful progress in cancer biology. The award will be for a period of three years. Funding will be allocated to the awardees’ primary institution each year for support of the scientist. The Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation will retire up to $100,000 of any qualifying medical school debt still owed by the awardee. Payment will be made annually over the course of the award.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Open to computational scientists with an interest in the intersection between quantitative biology, data science and cancer research. Applicants must have completed one or more of the following degrees or its equivalent: PhD, MD, MD/PhD, DDS, DVM, DO.If an applicant has not yet received their PhD diploma but has successfully completed all PhD requirements, including PhD defense, they may submit a letter from the graduate school explicitly stating such, with the date of the successful PhD defense and date of degree conferral. Applicants require two committed Mentors, one from the field of computational science (“dry lab”) and one from the area of cancer biology (“wet lab”).Level 1: Basic and physician-scientists must have received their degrees no more than five years prior to the application deadline date* and may apply at any time prior to their initial assistant professorship appointment (or equivalent). Applicants must not have been in their Mentors' labs for more than 24 months prior to the application deadline date and are expected to devote 100% of their time to Damon Runyon-supported research activities.Level 2: Physician-scientist applicants (MD, MD/PhD, DDS, DVM, DO or the equivalent) must have completed their residencies and clinical training, must be board eligible in the United States at the start date of the Damon Runyon Fellowship, and be able to devote at least 80% of their time to Damon Runyon-supported research activities. Applicants may not have had more than five years of postdoctoral laboratory research experience and may apply at any time prior to their initial assistant professorship appointment (or equivalent); postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows and clinical instructors are eligible to apply. Candidates holding institutional K12 awards may apply but must turn-back K12 funding if they are awarded a Damon Runyon Quantitative Biology Fellowship.The proposed research must be conducted at a university, hospital, or research institution.Candidates working in a structured postdoctoral research program at a for-profit institution may apply.Postdoctoral training in the same institution in which the applicant received their degree is discouraged, particularly if it is in the same department. If either situation applies, the applicant must address the reason(s) in their application. Candidates applying to work in foreign-based or United States government laboratories may be awarded a fellowship if the program represents an unusual opportunity for postdoctoral training.Foreign candidates may apply to do their research only in the United States.

Ineligibility

No part of this grant can be used for indirect costs or institutional overhead.No other postdoctoral fellowships can be held concurrently.Candidates holding or awarded NIH K awards at the time of application are not eligible to apply.Proposals to continue training in the laboratory where the applicant received their PhD will not be considered. Proposals that are direct extensions of graduate work will not be funded.