American Cancer Society Postdoctoral Fellowships
Scholarship Sponsored by American Cancer Society
Overview
Postdoctoral Fellowships (PF) support new investigators in research training programs to prepare them for independent careers in cancer research. Reviewers evaluate how effectively a fellowship will broaden the applicant’s research training and experience. Awards fund full-time research training and include allowances for professional development and meeting attendance. Applicants should consult the program policies for complete instructions and requirements.
Description: Competitive fellowships aimed at early-career researchers to accelerate transition to independent cancer research careers through mentored training and professional development.
- Supports postdoctoral research training for transition to independence.
- Peer review emphasizes training breadth and career development.
- Full-time research support with professional development allowances.
Eligibility
Eligibility is limited to individuals in postdoctoral positions at eligible U.S. institutions or eligible non-profits. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or hold appropriate visa or lawful immigration status at the time of application. Applicants must have received a terminal doctoral degree within the past three years (clinical-only training excluded) and/or completed three or fewer years of postdoctoral research training as of the application deadline. Faculty appointees and research or staff scientists are not eligible.
Eligibility: Applicants may request 2- or 3-year fellowships, may submit only one PF application per cycle, and eligibility is calculated by the month and year of the terminal degree relative to the application deadline.
- Must be in a postdoctoral position (not faculty or staff scientist).
- Terminal degree received ≤ 3 years prior (clinical-only time excluded) or ≤ 3 years postdoc training.
- U.S. citizens or individuals with lawful immigration status are eligible.
- One fellowship application permitted per cycle; 2- or 3-year terms available.
- Contact questions about extenuating circumstances at [email protected] and review grant policies for details.
Grant Term and Budget
Awards are made for up to three years and include progressively increased stipends across the term. Current stipend levels are $66,000 for year one, $68,000 for year two, and $70,000 for year three. Fellows receive an annual allowance to defray health insurance, workshops, and travel to scientific meetings, and a supplemental amount is provided in the final year for attendance at the ACS Postdoctoral Fellows Symposium or a domestic scientific meeting. Exceptional top-ranked fellowships may receive additional supplements from special endowment funds.
Award Value: Up to three-year awards with graduated stipends ($66k, $68k, $70k), a $4,000 annual fellowship allowance, and an extra $1,500 in the final year for meeting attendance; select awards may receive additional supplementation.
- Award length: up to 3 years with progressive annual stipends.
- Annual fellowship allowance of $4,000 for professional expenses.
- Additional $1,500 in the final year for symposium or domestic meeting attendance.
- Top-ranked awards may receive supplemental funds when available.
Parental Leave
Postdoctoral Fellows may elect paid parental leave for births and adoptions, with a minimum of four weeks and up to twelve weeks per year. The grant term is extended by the same number of weeks taken for leave, and stipend payments continue during the leave period and the extended term. This policy preserves completion of the full fellowship term while maintaining continuous stipend support during parental leave and through the extended completion period.
Parental Leave Option: Paid maternity/paternity leave of 4–12 weeks per year, with grant term and stipend extended for the duration of the leave.
- Minimum 4 weeks and up to 12 weeks of paid leave for birth or adoption.
- Grant term extended by the leave duration; stipend continues during extension.
- Designed to allow completion of fellowship training with continuous financial support.
Application Timeline
Application deadlines follow the published schedule and standard submission procedures. If a deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, applications will be accepted on the next business day. Applicants should verify deadlines and timelines in the program materials and allow sufficient time for institutional approvals and required documents. Consult the grant policies and program guidance well in advance to ensure timely submission.
Application Timeline: Observe published deadlines; submissions due next business day if the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday; plan ahead for institutional approvals and supporting documents.
- Follow the published application schedule and program guidance.
- Deadlines falling on weekends/holidays are accepted the next business day.
- Prepare institutional approvals and supporting documents early.