Young Investigator Award (YIA)

The Cancer Research Foundation Young Investigator Award is the organization's preeminent grant-making program and has been established for more than 30 years. It represents CRF's commitment to funding promising early-career cancer researchers.

Purpose: Addresses a critical catch-22 situation in early-career cancer research: most scientists cannot compile an initial data set without funding, but financial support from the majority of funders requires a proposal backed up by primary data and results. The YIA provides seed capital to allow early-career researchers to gather primary data and establish themselves as principal investigators.

Geographic Scope: Primarily supports researchers at institutions in the Midwest/Chicago area, including University of Chicago, Northwestern University, and Washington University in St. Louis

Eligibility:

• Early-career scientists/researchers in cancer research
• Pursuing independent research hypotheses
• Working to establish themselves as primary investigators

Focus Areas:

• Cancer biology and immunotherapy
• Genomics and bioinformatics
• Molecular engineering
• Data science and artificial intelligence
• Cancer prevention and treatment
• Basic and translational cancer research
• Specific cancer types (brain tumors, lung cancer, blood cancers, ovarian cancer, etc.)

Research Fields Supported:

• Tumor immunology and immune checkpoint inhibitors
• Metabolic adaptations in cancer
• Genetic mutations and cancer predisposition
• Cancer stem cells
• CAR-T cell therapy
• Tumor microenvironment
• Epigenomics and genomics
• Drug delivery and targeting
• Cancer-associated fibroblasts
• Circulating tumor DNA
• Natural killer cell therapy
• Microbiome-based immunotherapy

Mission: The Cancer Research Foundation was established more than 60 years ago to find ways to fight and prevent cancer. The organization acts as "venture philanthropists," seeking opportunities to support new researchers and novel ideas at a time when promising ideas can be starved for capital.

Diversity Commitment: The organization is dedicated to supporting diversity among researchers, with emphasis on women and minorities in STEM fields, recognizing that diverse scientific minds and backgrounds lead to better solutions in cancer research.

Special Recognition: Breakthrough Board Scholar - one Young Investigator selected annually receives additional recognition and funding exclusively from The Breakthrough Board's annual event.

Contact Information:

• Email: mjohnson@cancerresearchfdn.org
• Address: 6200 N. Hiawatha Ave., Suite 640, Chicago, IL 60646
• Phone: 312.630.0055
• Fax: 312.630.0075

Organization:

• Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit
• CRFCC EIN: 81-2771469
• CRF EIN: 36-2385213

Application Process

Timing: Request for Proposal typically released in August for the following year's awards

Application Materials:
While specific application materials are not detailed in the provided website content, the RFP page references a portal for proposal submission.

Required Components:

• Research proposal with hypothesis
• Preliminary data or preliminary studies
• Career development plan
• Institutional affiliation documentation
• Budget justification for two-year funding period

Contact for Questions:

• Email: mjohnson@cancerresearchfdn.org for application inquiries

Additional Opportunities for Awardees:

• All past and present Young Investigators are invited to join CRF at the annual meeting
• Networking and community-building among funded scientists
• Opportunity to present research and build collaborations