CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program

The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program, administered by the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), is a highly esteemed initiative that supports early-career scientists conducting research in immunology and cancer immunology. For decades, CRI has stood at the forefront of advancing immunological science, and this fellowship represents one of its premier efforts to cultivate the next generation of leaders in cancer research. It targets exceptional young researchers from around the globe, offering them not only financial support but also access to mentorship and professional development opportunities vital for establishing independent careers. Designed as a bridge between doctoral training and independent investigation, the fellowship promotes training through rigorous, hypothesis-driven research. Applicants are evaluated based on their academic credentials, research potential, and proposed scientific plans. Review criteria include the strength of the candidate’s qualifications, the training environment provided by the sponsor, and the significance and feasibility of the proposed research project. A strong emphasis is placed on mechanistic studies in immunology and tumor immunology, aiming to enhance understanding of the immune system’s role in cancer development and therapy. The fellowship awards span a three-year period, with increasing annual stipends of $74,000, $76,000, and $78,000. Additionally, the host institution receives a $5,000 annual allowance intended for research-related expenses, which may include supplies, travel, childcare, or health insurance. Importantly, administrative overhead deductions are not permitted. Fellows are also granted opportunities to further their technical expertise through programs such as the CRI Bioinformatics Bootcamp, enriching their training experience. Eligibility requirements stipulate that applicants must have obtained a doctoral degree by the award’s activation date and must be under the mentorship of a sponsor holding an assistant professor or higher-level appointment. The research must be situated in the fields of immunology or cancer immunology and conducted at a non-profit institution, either in the United States or abroad. There are no citizenship restrictions. However, candidates with five or more years of mentored research experience (excluding M.D. residency) or those who have spent three or more years in a sponsor’s lab at the time of fellowship activation may be ineligible. Each sponsor is limited to supporting a single applicant per cycle and no more than three fellows concurrently. The fellowship operates on a semiannual cycle, with submission deadlines of March 1 and September 1 each year. If a deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, the application is due the next business day by 11:59 p.m. ET. Applicants are notified of decisions approximately 10–12 weeks after submission. Selected candidates must activate their award within four to twelve months of the application deadline, with activation occurring on the first day of the month. Resubmissions are permitted for non-selected applicants, provided that the revised proposal reflects meaningful improvements. Applications must be submitted through the CRI Application Portal, which facilitates the required institutional certifications and signatures. The CRI Irvington Fellowship not only provides essential support during a pivotal career stage but also offers entry into a global network of innovators whose contributions have significantly influenced the future of cancer immunotherapy.