The Damon Runyon Quantitative Biology Fellowship Award is an elite funding opportunity offered by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, specifically aimed at postdoctoral scientists conducting interdisciplinary research at the intersection of computational and experimental biology in cancer. This award promotes innovative and collaborative approaches to cancer research by requiring candidates to work under the mentorship of two advisors—one from a computational (dry lab) and one from a biological (wet lab) background.
Applications must be submitted through Proposal Central by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on December 2, 2025. Candidates must have received their degree between December 2, 2020, and December 2, 2025, and must have joined their Mentor’s lab on or after December 2, 2023. The award term begins in April, May, or June 2026, and the selection meeting is scheduled for February 27, 2026. Applicants must not have been in their Mentors' labs for more than 24 months prior to the deadline.
The application process includes submission of a cover sheet signed by both Mentors, each Mentor's NIH-format biosketch and letter of support, a mentorship track record document, and a co-authored training plan not exceeding two pages. The training plan must articulate the interdisciplinary structure of the project and the benefit of dual mentorship, preferably with mentors in close proximity. Applicants must provide their own NIH biosketch, a separate bibliography with hyperlinks, a personal letter detailing their previous work, impact, and interest in quantitative biology, and a personal statement outlining the anticipated benefit of the award and their long-term career goals.
The core scientific component includes a five-page research proposal and two 250-word statements that describe the computational innovation of the work and the technical challenges to be addressed. Additional requirements include a summary form (abstract), diploma or equivalent verification of PhD completion, and up to two collaboration letters if applicable. Three letters of reference are required from individuals unaffiliated with the applicant’s mentorship team, including one from the PhD advisor for PhD-holding candidates.
The foundation places emphasis on a candidate’s transformative potential and ability to contribute meaningfully to the field of cancer research through quantitative approaches. All applicants must ensure reference letters are submitted by the deadline or their application cannot be completed. For further inquiries, contact awards@damonrunyon.org or call 1.877.7CANCER.
Interested candidates are encouraged to ensure that all components of their application are complete and submitted by the deadline to be considered for this prestigious fellowship.
