ACS IRG Seed Grants

The purpose of this grant program is to support the development of exceptional research projects that will help lead to the conquest of cancer and will further the objectives of the CU Cancer Center.

Funding for these grants is contingent upon funding by the American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant or the Cancer Center. RFA's are released annually in the fall and awards are issued with a January 1st start date.

Studies in all areas of cancer research—laboratory, clinical, prevention and control, and psychosocial cancer research—will be considered for funding.

ACS IRG Grants aim to entice young faculty to pursue cancer-related research problems and are reserved for applicants who are in their first few years as junior faculty members (instructors and assistant professors) and who are in the process of establishing independent cancer research programs.

Applicants cannot have received prior, or hold current, major funding from a national peer-reviewed source (R01, R21, R25, NSF, ACS, AHA, DOD, etc.).

Priority will be given to those applications which demonstrate promise to lead to further funding through conventional support mechanisms.

ACS IRG funds can be used to support project-related expenses only. Funds cannot be used for salary support for the PI.  In addition to basic science projects, applications for novel clinical projects and community-based projects are particularly encouraged if realistically doable in one year.

Awards will be made for one year, beginning January 1, 2024. Awards will be made for a maximum of $70,000 for one year. These grants are not renewable, but a one-year no-cost extension may be requested.

Eligibility

Instructor or Assistant Professor within six years for appointment (cannot have received major peer-reviewed funding already such as an NIH R01 or its equivalent; K awards are allowable). Applicants must have a faculty status. Prior ACS-IRG recipients are eligible to receive funding for a continuation of the same project if they have made substantial progress as determined by reviewers but have not yet received major funding as specified above.

Special Funding Categories

Impact in the Catchment

Special consideration will be given to grants that focus on cancer prevention, control or population health in ethnic minority and underserved (e.g., rural, low-income) communities and that address health disparities specific to the needs of Colorado.

Special Funding for Under-Represented Minorities (URM)

Funding for one additional seed grant specifically lead by a URM PI is available. The ACS defines URM as Black American/Black, Hispanic/Latino, American Native and Alaska Native (AIAN) and Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander groups. To be considered for this funding, applicants should indicate on the application their applicable URM status.

Citizenship Requirements

Applicant, if not a U.S. Citizen or permanent resident, must hold a visa which will allow him or her to remain in the U.S. long enough to complete the scope of their application. Should an award be made, the applicant will be asked to provide such documentation prior to the award issuance.

Special Requirements

Letter of commitment from division/department chair; no major grant support; Cancer Center membership is not required, but is encouraged.

Application Information

Contact Information

Funding

Mailing Address

13001 E. 17th Place
Campus Box F434
Aurora, CO  80045

Hand Delivery Address

Anschutz Medical Campus
Building 500, Room C6004
13001 E. 17th Place
Aurora, CO 80045

Questions

Jennifer Richer, PhD

Grant PI and Application Review Committee Director

Phone | 303-724-3735

John Tentler, PhD

Grant Co-PI and Application Review Committee Director

Phone | 303-724-3887 

Paige Diller

Grants Manager

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