Damon Runyon Fellowship Award
Helps students and early career scholars with mentoring support for Damon Runyon Fellowship Award in biotechnology, medical technology, and synthetic biology.
The Damon Runyon Fellowship Award is a four-year postdoctoral research fellowship offered by the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation to support early-career scientists conducting full-time cancer research at US institutions. The Foundation funds investigators across all scientific disciplines relevant to cancer — basic, translational, and clinical — and does not restrict research to specific cancer types or methodologies. The award is open to two career-stage levels: Level 1 candidates are basic scientists whose terminal degree was received no more than 18 months before the August 14, 2026 deadline; Level 2 candidates are physician-scientists who may apply at any point before their first assistant professorship appointment.
Stipends escalate annually from $70,000 in Year 1 to $76,000 in Year 4, with an additional $2,000 per year expense allowance, for a total award value of up to approximately $292,000 over four years. Physician-scientists are also eligible for up to $100,000 in medical school debt retirement. Foreign nationals may apply provided all research is conducted at a US institution. Applicants may not hold a T32 training grant concurrently with this fellowship. Each sponsor (mentor) may supervise no more than two Damon Runyon Fellows at any given time.
Applications are submitted through the Proposal Central platform. The 2026 deadline is August 14, 2026 at 4:00 PM Eastern Time. The application requires diploma confirmation and active sponsor participation throughout the process. Competitive applicants demonstrate a compelling independent research vision, strong mentorship arrangements, and institutional resources supporting their proposed work. The Foundation's selection committee favors candidates whose projects represent genuine scientific innovation rather than incremental extensions of existing programs.
Postdoctoral cancer research across all scientific disciplines, conducted full-time at a US institution by early-career basic scientists or physician-scientists.
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