The Breast Cancer Research Foundation-AACR NextGen Grant for Transformative Cancer Research in Honor of Nancy E. Davidson represents a premier funding initiative aimed at accelerating innovative cancer research by early-career investigators. This collaborative program between the Breast Cancer Research Foundation and the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is designed to support cutting-edge research that addresses major challenges in cancer, particularly breast cancer, and facilitates scientific independence among emerging researchers. The AACR, an established nonprofit focused on advancing cancer research, provides strategic support and oversight to ensure the impact and scientific integrity of its funding programs.
The primary objective of this grant is to foster paradigm-shifting research with the potential to revolutionize the understanding, prevention, detection, or treatment of cancer. Proposals can be basic, translational, clinical, or population-based in nature but must demonstrate direct relevance to breast cancer. The total award is $450,000 distributed over three years, and funds may be used to cover salary and benefits of the grantee and supporting personnel, research supplies, equipment, project-related travel, publication fees, and indirect costs.
Applicants must hold a tenure-eligible assistant professor appointment for no more than three years as of the grant start date (July 1, 2026). They must not have previously held major independent research awards such as NIH R01s or equivalent, and postdoctoral fellows or instructors are not eligible. AACR membership is mandatory; nonmembers may apply concurrently for membership with appropriate endorsements. There are no restrictions based on citizenship or geographic location, provided applicants have sufficient visa authorization to complete the proposed project.
The application process involves a competitive Letter of Intent (LOI), due December 18, 2025, at 1:00 p.m. ET. LOIs will be peer-reviewed by a panel of expert researchers, with selected applicants invited to submit full proposals by April 7, 2026. Award announcements will be made in June 2026. The project period begins July 1, 2026, and grantees are required to attend the AACR Annual Meeting for a formal recognition event, with grant funds eligible to cover this participation.
Letters of Intent must follow a strict format and include specific aims, rationale, methodology, statistical analysis, and significance. They must be accompanied by scientific and lay abstracts, a biographical sketch, and a checklist, all submitted via ProposalCentral. Applications will be evaluated based on innovation, potential for significant impact, the investigator’s track record and promise, feasibility, and institutional support. Additional requirements include non-affiliation with the tobacco industry and compliance with AACR grant policies. Detailed program guidelines and templates are available through AACR’s official grant page.
Proposals must be highly innovative and directly applicable to breast cancer; institutional support strengthens applications.
