ASTRO-BCRF Emerging Investigator Award

Overview

ASTRO and the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) partner to offer this grant to foster and develop talented early-career breast radiation oncology researchers.

• Award Amount: Up to $100,000
• Award Duration: One year
• Deadline: Applications closed for 2026 awards
• Award Notification: May 2026
• Start Date: August 1, 2026

Eligibility

• Early-stage investigators with 20% of their career responsibilities dedicated to the research project and career development/training plan described in the application.
• At the time of application, an eligible individual must hold at least one terminal degree such as PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or other equivalent degrees in medicine or the sciences, and be an early stage investigator (ESI) as defined in NIH’s ESI Policy.
• Investigators must be working in the fields of radiation oncology, radiation or cancer biology, or radiation physics.
• The PI is required to commit at least 20% of their career responsibilities to the research project and career development/training plan described in the application.
• The Sponsoring Institution must be a public/state controlled or private institution of higher education or another qualified nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status in the U.S.

How to Apply

Applications must be submitted online through ProposalCentral by the deadline.

The proposal is composed of an application form that includes general audience and scientific abstracts, an impact statement, a statement on the applicant’s commitment to radiation therapy, research assurances, and the signature of an Institutional Signing Official. The following documents must also be uploaded:

• Project Plan (six-page limit)
• Professional and Career Development Plan (two-page limit)
• Biosketches of the applicant and lead mentor (five-page limit)
• Budget and Budget Justification
• Mentoring Plan (two-page limit)
• Letters of Support from the lead mentor, the Institution or Department and a collaborator