CPRIT Academic Research

CPRIT Scholars — Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty

Funds Texas universities to hire first-time tenure-track cancer researchers and grow research portfolios.

Eligibility · United States · US-TX

⚠ This may reflect a past cycle — verify the current call on the funder's site.

The CPRIT Scholars Recruitment of First-Time, Tenure-Track Faculty (RFT) mechanism is the highest-volume program within CPRIT's academic research recruitment portfolio. Administered by the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas, the RFT mechanism enables Texas universities and cancer research institutes to recruit investigators who are accepting their first tenure-track faculty appointment. As of the most recent data, 234 first-time tenure-track faculty have been recruited to Texas through the RFT mechanism, making it the most active of the four CPRIT Scholars tracks. The host institution applies on behalf of the targeted recruit.

RFT awards provide up to $2 million over a five-year performance period, and recent confirmed awards — including RR260087, RR260076, RR260071, and RR260053 — all reflect the $2 million ceiling, suggesting it functions as the standard award amount rather than a maximum rarely reached. Funds support salary, laboratory startup costs, and direct research expenses. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis under RFA R-261-RFT within the active fiscal year window, and awards are notified continuously as reviews complete. All reviewers are external to Texas.

Institutions using the RFT mechanism are competing to attract emerging cancer scientists at the point of their first faculty appointment — typically candidates finishing postdoctoral training or transitioning from research fellowships. Successful applications make a strong case for the scientific merit of the recruit's research program, the quality of the institutional environment being offered, and the strategic importance of the hire to Texas's cancer research capacity. Because the RFT is the most frequently used CPRIT Scholars mechanism, applicants should expect a competitive review pool and prepare thorough documentation of the recruit's research record and future plans.