The Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award is a prominent funding initiative provided by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation to support early-career physician-scientists conducting patient-oriented cancer research. This award is tailored for those who have recently secured a tenure-track or equivalent faculty position and are dedicated to becoming independent clinical investigators focusing on translational cancer studies.
The next application deadline is January 20, 2026, with finalist interviews occurring on April 17, 2026, and funding commencing on July 1, 2026. Applications must be submitted via Proposal Central by 4:00 PM Eastern Time; no late, emailed, or hard-copy submissions will be accepted. Selected finalists will be notified in March 2026.
The award supports not only the research itself but also the career development of physician-scientists. Applicants must submit a comprehensive proposal that includes an institutional letter of commitment, personal statements, detailed research and training plans, and documentation of prior accomplishments and funding. The institutional letter must affirm at least 80% protected research time (with exceptions possible under specific waivers), as well as support for lab space and a startup package. The applicant must have an academic appointment that is not contingent on securing grant funding.
Key components of the application include the applicant’s NIH biosketch, research proposal, list of top publications and accomplishments, and two recommendation letters (excluding mentors). Mentors are required to submit a letter of support, NIH biosketch, and current/pending funding documentation. If there are two mentors, each must submit the necessary documents independently, but only one joint proposal for training is required.
This award is part of a broader suite of programs under the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, focusing on advancing innovative and high-impact cancer research. The Clinical Investigator Award provides not only financial backing but also mentorship and recognition, helping rising physician-scientists transition into independent leadership roles in the cancer research field.
