Active Research Funding Opportunities
ASTRO funds research for junior faculty, residents, fellows and postdoctoral fellows in support of radiation oncology researchers’ careers. We recommend frequently checking this page for updates on open opportunities. To apply and view the detailed Program Announcements, visit ProposalCentral unless stated otherwise. For questions please contact the Department of Scientific Affairs.
Career Development Awards
ASTRO-ACS Clinician Scientist Development Grant
Application Deadline: Monday, October 16, 2023
This is a joint effort with the American Cancer Society (ACS) to co-fund one Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG). The goal of the ASTRO-ACS CSDG is to foster the research career of a clinician scientist in radiation oncology. At a minimum, to be eligible an applicant must have a clinical doctoral degree with an active license to provide clinical care, or be a medical physicist with a clinical license at the time of the application. The award may be for three to five years with $135,000 a year for direct costs, plus 8% allowable indirect costs. Applications are to be submitted via the ACS portal. To apply and view further eligibility criteria and application instructions, visit the ACS CSDG website. Questions for this opportunity can be directed to the ASTRO Department of Scientific Affairs and ACS.
ASTRO-MRA Young Investigator Award in Radiation Oncology
Eligibility Checklist Due: October 20, 2023
Application Deadline: November 3, 2023; 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
This is a joint special opportunity Young Investigator Award with the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) to support research in radiation oncology to improve treatment options for melanoma patients. Early career radiation oncologists, radiation or cancer biologists, or physicists are encouraged to submit radiation oncology research proposals that include at least 50% effort on melanoma. The award will provide up to $85,000 per year for three years (up to $255,000 total). Applications are to be submitted via the MRA portal. Visit to apply and view the eligibility criteria and application instructions. Questions for this opportunity can be directed to the ASTRO Department of Scientific Affairs and MRA's Senior Scientific Program & Registry Manager. The Eligibility Checklist must be submitted by October 20, 2023.
ASTRO-BCRF Emerging Investigator Award to Build a Diverse Scientific Workforce
Application Deadline: January 10, 2024
View the Program Announcement
Eligible Individuals (Principal Investigators (PIs))
Any applicant who self-identifies as a member of any of the “Underrepresented Populations in the U.S. Biomedical, Clinical, Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Enterprise” as listed in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity(NOT-OD-20-031). Multiple PIs are not allowed.
This is a joint effort with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to support one Emerging Investigator Award (EIA) to Build a Diverse Scientific Workforce. The goal of the ASTRO-BCRF EIA is to foster and develop talented early career breast radiation oncology researchers who are members of the populations that are currently underrepresented in biomedical research. Among other requirements as listed in the Program Announcement, any Eligible Individual (Principal Investigators (PI)) must be able to self-identify as a member of any of the “Underrepresented Populations in the U.S. Biomedical, Clinical, Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Enterprise” as listed in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031*). The award may be for one year with $100,000 total for direct costs (no indirect cost is allowed). To apply, visit the ASTRO ProposalCentral portal.
Fellowships
ASTRO-RTOG NRG Oncology Fellowship in Health Equity
Application Deadline: October 20, 2023
ASTRO plans to co-sponsor one fellow this cycle for the NRG Health Equity Fellowship with an emphasis on radiation oncology. This Fellowship Program trains selected early-stage investigators in the NRG Oncology system by means of a structured mentorship experience, with particular emphasis given to the recruitment of researchers from underrepresented groups. The fellowship award is for $50,000 ($25,000/year for two years. Year two award is contingent on satisfactory progress in year one). Please submit the application and all relevant materials.
ASTRO-Industry Research Training Fellowships
ASTRO-AstraZeneca Radiation Oncology Research Training Fellowships
Application Deadline: January 10, 2024; 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
View the Program Announcement
Two fellowships are designed to provide U.S.-based residents or other trainees with real-world training experience in the development, administration and application of sponsored clinical research and real-world studies from a pharmaceutical company perspective. Opportunities within AstraZeneca programs focused on immuno-oncology and targeted therapies as treatment strategies for non-small cell and small cell lung cancer are included.
Seed Grants
The Seed Grants provide up to $25,000 over one year. They are designed to foster the research careers of residents and fellows interested in radiation oncology related basic, translational and/or clinical research. Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. residency or fellowship at the time of application.
ASTRO Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Seed Grant and ASTRO Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Biology Seed Grant
Application Deadline: February 23, 2024; 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
View the Program Announcement
These grants will support trainees developing any area of research that has the potential to advance the radiation oncology field. The biology-focused seed grant supports trainees advancing biological research in radiation oncology and/or cancer focused sciences.
ASTRO-AAPM Physics Residents/Postdoctoral Fellows Seed Grant
Application Deadline: February 23, 2024; 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
This is a joint effort with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) to support the research of medical physics residents and postdoctoral fellows, and advance their careers. The proposed project must be focused on physics-related research in radiation oncology. Applicants (PhD or equivalent) must be a postdoctoral fellow or medical physics resident, and be a member of ASTRO and AAPM or have applied for the respective memberships at the time of application. Up to two awards are anticipated. To apply and view the detailed eligibility criteria, visit the
AAPM website.
ASTRO-LUNGevity Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Seed Grant
Application Deadline: February 23, 2024; 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
View the Program Announcement
This is a joint effort with the LUNGevity Foundation (LUNGevity) to foster the career advancement of residents or fellows conducting radiation oncology related research for the benefit of patients with lung cancer. For more information and to apply, please visit ProposalCentral.