Damon Runyon Fellowship Award

The Damon Runyon Fellowship Award, offered by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation, is a prestigious funding opportunity aimed at early-career scientists committed to pursuing innovative research in cancer. The foundation, known for its dedication to accelerating breakthroughs in cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment, provides this award to support postdoctoral scientists who display exceptional promise in advancing cancer research. The program is tailored for researchers who recently received their doctoral degrees and are undertaking mentored postdoctoral training. It emphasizes original and creative research approaches that might not yet be eligible for conventional funding, thereby fostering novel cancer research directions. The purpose of the fellowship is to catalyze the careers of young investigators working on fundamental questions in cancer biology and translational research. The award supports candidates who demonstrate a strong potential to become independent investigators and leaders in the field. It is particularly supportive of candidates who bring innovative approaches to understanding cancer mechanisms or to developing more effective treatments and preventative strategies. By removing financial obstacles and providing a reputable credential, the fellowship allows researchers to focus fully on their scientific development and projects. Eligibility for the award is divided into two levels. Level 1 candidates must have received their degree between September 15, 2024, and March 16, 2026, and have joined their sponsor's lab on or after March 15, 2025. Level 2 candidates include board-eligible physician-scientists who can apply at any time before their first assistant professorship. Applicants must submit documentation confirming the date of degree conferral. All candidates must be conducting research under a qualified Sponsor or co-Sponsors, who are responsible for providing detailed support letters, training plans, and mentorship track records. Applicants cannot apply to continue training in the lab where they received their PhD or for projects that are direct continuations of their graduate work. Applications must be submitted electronically via Proposal Central by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on March 16, 2026, with no exceptions for emailed or printed submissions. A full application includes multiple components: cover sheet with signatures, biosketches of both sponsor and applicant in NIH format, a detailed training plan, a statement from the sponsor, applicant narratives including personal statement, long-term cancer research commitment, and a research proposal (maximum five pages). Reference letters from three non-sponsor individuals (one of which must be the thesis advisor for PhDs) are also required and must be submitted before the application deadline. If a diploma has not yet been received, a letter from the graduate school confirming completion of PhD requirements must be submitted. Evaluation is conducted during a formal selection meeting. For the current cycle, the meeting is scheduled for May 8, 2026. Applicants will be notified of the outcome in the following week. Successful applicants can expect their awards to commence in July, August, September, or October of 2026, depending on their availability and project start date. Another application cycle opens on June 15, 2026, with an August 14, 2026 deadline, indicating the recurring nature of this opportunity. The award reflects Damon Runyon's continued investment in the next generation of cancer researchers and underscores the foundation's commitment to propelling scientific talent capable of leading transformational research efforts. The foundation provides comprehensive contact support through its award programs team, reachable at [email protected], and offers further institutional information through its main office located at One Exchange Plaza, 55 Broadway, Suite 302, New York, NY.

Proposals must not extend graduate work or remain in the same lab without justification; highlight transformative research; align proposal with fellowship goals.