Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize Grant

The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize is awarded to early-career scientists in the New York area who are pursuing innovative cancer research. Established by the Pershing Square Foundation in partnership with The Sohn Conference Foundation, the prize offers $250,000 annually for up to three years. With a commitment of over $49 million since 2013, the Alliance aims to accelerate cancer cures by fostering collaborations between academia and industry, providing a unique network and access to vital resources for groundbreaking research.

Note: As of the 2026 Prize, there will no longer be a full proposal stage. Projects will be evaluated solely through the LOI.
Background
The Pershing Square Foundation (PSF) is a family foundation established in 2006 to support exceptional leaders and innovative organizations that tackle important social issues and deliver scalable and sustainable global impact. PSF has committed more than $930 million in grants and social investments in target areas including health and medicine, education, economic development and social innovation. Bill Ackman and Neri Oxman are co-trustees of the Foundation.
Program
The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance was formed in 2013 by The Pershing Square Foundation, which has since committed more than $49 million to 77 scientists, in partnership with The Sohn Conference Foundation. The Alliance is dedicated to playing a catalytic role in accelerating cures for cancer by supporting innovative cancer research and by facilitating collaborations between academia and industry. Annually, the Alliance awards the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize ($750,000 over three years) to early-career scientists who are engaged in cutting-edge cancer research. Scientists must be based as academic research institutions in the USA.
Prize Description
The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize (formerly known as the Pershing Square Sohn Prize for Young Investigators in Cancer Research) provides early career, New York area scientists the freedom to take risks and pursue their boldest research at a stage when traditional funding is lacking. Prize winners each receive $250,000 a year for up to three years. A minimum of six prizes will be awarded annually, depending on the quality of the proposals.
The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Research Alliance (PSSCRA) is dedicated to accelerating cures for cancer by advancing the pursuit of innovative cancer research and by facilitating collaborations between the science and business communities. PSSCRA seeks to guide philanthropic funds to feed critical scientific discoveries, attracting like-minded investors to the cause of fighting cancer and creating a pipeline for earlystage biomedical investments.
In addition to receiving funding, Prize winners are given access to a unique network and are invited to participate in select programs, including:
Facilitated partnerships with other researchers within and across institutionsNetworking programs (including: collaborations/discussions amongst Prize winners and industry mentors, introductions to philanthropic and for-profit investors in the business community, and invitations to special industry networking and entrepreneurship events)
Annual retreat and symposium
Ability to present the best ideas at conferences and events (hosted by PSSCRA and other organizations)
Please see FAQs for additional guidelines.