Funding Opportunities

ASTRO, alone and in partnership with others, 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. For questions, please contact the Department of Scientific Affairs.

Prepare for Successful Research Programs with ROCKS Webinars

ASTRO's Science Council organizes Research-Oriented Career Knowledge and Support (ROCKS) webinars to share information from successful grant recipients to advance your research career. Hear firsthand experiences, tips and strategies on navigating the grant application process, building collaborations and aligning your research goals with funding opportunities. These sessions are packed with valuable insights for early-career researchers, residents, fellows and junior faculty in radiation oncology and medical physics. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how ASTRO grants can help you take the next step in your career! All sessions are available in the ASTRO Academy for three years after each live session.

View the ROCKS webinars in the ASTRO Academy

Active Research Funding Opportunities

ASTRO-ACS Clinician Scientist Development Award 
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Award Amount: $729,000 over three to five years
The American Cancer Society (ACS) and ASTRO collaborate on the Clinician Scientist Development Award (CSDA) program. This award supports full-time faculty members in becoming independent investigators as clinician scientists. This grant is designed for people trained primarily as clinicians who want to maintain clinical practice and conduct cancer research. The applicant must be in the radiation oncology field. Visit ACS to apply.

ACS-ASTRO Felix Feng, MD Clinician Scientist Development Award 
Deadline: December 1, 2025
Award Amount: $730,000 over three to five years
The American Cancer Society (ACS) and ASTRO collaborate on the Clinician Scientist Development Award (CSDA) program. This award, in honor of Felix Feng, MD, will fund a practicing radiation oncologist pursuing research questions relevant to improving health across the cancer continuum. Applications are made through the same portal as the general ASTRO-ACS CSDA. Visit ACS to apply.

ASTRO-BCRF Emerging Investigator Award
Deadline: January 12, 2026
Award Amount: $100,000 over one year
The Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) and ASTRO collaborate to offer a joint Emerging Investigator Award. The goal of this program is to foster and develop talented early career breast radiation oncology researchers. Multiple PIs and indirect costs are not allowed. For this joint award, the applicant must be a radiation oncologist, radiation or cancer biologist, or radiation physicist. Visit Proposal Central to apply.

ASTRO Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Seed Grant
Deadline: January 26, 2026
Award Amount: $50,000 over one year
These grants will support trainees developing any area of research that has the potential to advance the radiation oncology field. Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. residency or fellowship at the time of application. Projects related to lung cancer can also be considered for the ASTRO-LUNGevity Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Seed Grant as well. Visit Proposal Central to apply for either or both opportunities.
 
ASTRO-LUNGevity Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Seed Grant
Deadline: January 26, 2026
Award Amount: $50,000 over one year
The LUNGevity Foundation (LUNGevity) and ASTRO collaborate to offer joint seed grants. This program will foster and develop the research careers of residents and fellows interested in radiation oncology-related basic, translational and/or clinical research to benefit patients with lung cancer. Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. residency or fellowship at the time of application. Projects can also be considered for the ASTRO Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Seed Grant as well. Visit Proposal Central to apply for either or both opportunities.

ASTRO-AAPM Physics Residents/ Postdoctoral Fellows Seed Grant (1 year)
Deadline: March 18, 2026
Award Amount: $50,000 over one year
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. Up to two awards are anticipated. To apply and view the detailed eligibility criteria, visit the AAPM website.

ASTRO-PCF Young Investigator Award
Deadline: March 2026
Award Amount: $225,000 over three years
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) and ASTRO collaborate on a Young Investigator Award that offers career and project support for young (generally 35 and younger) proven investigators in postdoctoral fellowships or who have recently achieved junior faculty positions and are committing their lives to the field of prostate cancer. This award does not support indirect costs such as institutional overhead. Young Investigator awardees are required to attend the Annual PCF Scientific Retreat and Young Investigator Forum, typically held in October, throughout the duration of their award. For this joint award, the applicant must be a radiation oncologist, radiation or cancer biologist, or radiation physicist. Visit PCF to apply.