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Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award

Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Important Dates

Application Deadline: January 20, 2026
Notification of Finalists: March 2026
Finalist Interviews: May 1, 2026
Funding Begins: July 1, 2026

Application Requirements (Forms are on Proposal Central)

Application Cover Sheet with all required signatures (ink or electronic).
The At-a-Glance Form.
If applicable, include a Department Chair waiver request to justify changes in percent effort.**
The Research Experience Information Sheet.
A Letter of Commitment endorsed by both the Dean or Center Director and the Head/Chair of the Department should:
1. identify the applicant as their nominee
2. confirm the applicant’s and Mentor’s academic appointments
3. address the applicant’s status in securing a tenure-track or equivalent faculty position*
4. state the institution’s willingness to support the applicant’s research efforts and guarantee 80%** protected time for the applicant’s research to fulfill the terms of the award
5. address the institution’s/department’s commitment to the development of the applicant as a clinical investigator including commitment to the start-up package
6. detail the laboratory and office space allotted to the applicant. If the applicant is not occupying the space at the time of the application, please provide a timeline of when this will occur.

*This appointment must not be contingent upon the applicant securing funding.

**In rare unique circumstances, the CIA Committee may consider an applicant with a very modest reduction of 80% protected time if their Department Chair can provide a compelling reason explaining why a waiver of the 80% requirement should be granted, what percentage of effort will be guaranteed, and what safeguards will be put in place to make sure the individual’s research will not be compromised by their clinical/administrative activities.

The Applicant's Appointment Letter (and Reappointment Letter, if applicable) stating position title, description of start-up package, and term of appointment.
The Applicant’s Letter should outline the applicant’s long-term vision and goals in the field of clinical cancer investigation and their future commitment to clinical/patient research.
Applicant's Personal Statement, a one-page narrative including:
1. What they anticipate gaining from this award with respect to its impact and their career development
2. Optional: personal background. (Applicants may choose to describe experiences that have influenced their current educational and career goals. Applicants may discuss challenges that they have faced while pursuing careers in research.)
The Applicant’s NIH Biosketch.
The Applicant's Full Bibliography, in which:
1. the applicant’s name must be highlighted for each entry
2. original, peer-reviewed research articles must be listed separately and first with hyperlinks
3. next list review articles, chapters, editorials, etc.

Do not include presentations, abstracts, “in preparation” or “under review” articles.

Applicant’s Most Important Publications: list up to five most important publications, providing a brief (1-2 sentences) annotation with respect to the importance of findings and the applicant’s role in the project.
Applicant’s Accomplishments: list and describe three most important professional accomplishments.
Applicant's Other Sources of Funding: list all current and pending funding sources, and start-up funding (if applicable). Include the specific aims of each grant, the total amount of each grant as well as the amount received each year, and confirmation that there is no scientific or budgetary overlap with the proposed research. Please note, we do not request a budget or a budget justification at the time of application.

Note: Only one application will be accepted from a Mentor (Co-Mentor) per review session.

The Mentor’s Letter of Support should:
1. evaluate the applicant’s qualifications for the proposed research project
2. assess the applicant's potential for successful independent research
3. describe independence of applicant from the Mentor.
The Mentor’s NIH Biosketch.
The Mentor's Current and Pending Funding.

If there are two Mentors, each Mentor must submit a Letter of Support, Biosketch, and Funding.

Research Proposals

The Mentor’s Proposal for Training should be no longer than three pages* of single-spaced, 12-point type with at least 0.5-inch margins and include:
1. a plan for how the Mentor will ensure the development of the applicant into a successful clinical investigator
2. a statement of the number of hours they will commit to the investigator’s training each week
3. a description of any formal courses and training programs developed and offered by the sponsoring institution for the training of clinical investigators that would be included in the applicant’s curriculum.

*If there are two Mentors, submit only one Proposal for Training, no longer than four pages.

The Applicant’s Research Proposal, including figures, tables and legends, is limited to five pages of single-spaced, 12-point type with at least 0.5-inch margins. A list of references is not included in the 5-page limit. The proposal should outline concisely:
1. the aim(s) of the proposed research project(s)
2. the significance of the research goals
3. the plan of research proposed and the experimental designs, strategies, and methods to be used in the conduct of the research
4. (where applicable) biostatistical methods used for design and analysis
5. (if any part of the research proposal falls outside of your or your Mentor’s research expertise) please explain and identify the expert consultant who will guide you.
The Summary of Research Form, not to exceed one page. This should match the Abstracts tab.
If applicable, up to three Collaboration Letters (NOT REFERENCE LETTERS).

Letters of Recommendation

Applicants must have two letters of recommendation submitted through Proposal Central by referees using their own letterhead. The letters should be from qualified individuals (other than your Mentor) best able to assess the applicant and their potential for conducting meaningful clinical cancer research. The quality and depth of these letters will be pivotal in deciding the applicant’s suitability.

Recommended Sources: residency program and/or fellowship training period.

All reference letters must be submitted on or before the application deadline. Applicants will NOT be able to submit their application unless all reference letters are uploaded to the portal.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

🎯 1. Early-Career Independence & Bold Ideas

Focus is on early-career scientists—postdoc-level through early faculty—who are ready to run independent research programs .

The Damon Runyon–Rachleff Innovation Award, for instance, supports high‑risk, high‑reward ideas with breakthrough potential—even with limited preliminary data .

📊 2. Strong Track Record & Early Success

Fellowship alumni are highly successful:

~96% remain in research

~90% go on to secure major grants (NIH R01/R29)

~83% continue in cancer-focused research .

The Foundation has produced 12 Nobel laureates and hundreds of scientific leaders, reflecting its emphasis on elite talent .

💸 3. Substantial, Targeted Funding

Awards are generously backed:

Postdoctoral Fellowships: $200K–250K over 4 years .

Rachleff Innovation Awards: $400K over 2 years (with possible extension)

Physician‑Scientist Training Awards offer $460K total plus up to $100K to retire medical school debt .

Targeted pediatric cancer fellowships (in partnership with St. Jude) offer $300K over 4 years .

🤝 4. Strategic Partnerships & Start‑Up Culture

Damon Rainy supports 10–20 startups annually, leveraging biotech commercialization through board-driven initiatives .

Partnerships with institutions like St. Jude position them for collaborative and translational pediatric cancer research .

🧭 5. Highly Competitive Peer Review

Funding rates are extremely selective: < 10% acceptance for most programs .

Panels comprised of top cancer researchers rigorously review scientific innovation, feasibility, and potential breakthrough .

✅ Summary Table

Predictor	What It Indicates
Early-career independence	Eligible and ready to launch novel research
Bold, high-reward ideas	Aligns with innovation-focused awards
Strong early track record	Fellowships lead to R01s and long-term cancer focus
Large, targeted funding	Enables substantial scope and impact
Partnerships & commercialization	Fosters translation and startup creation
Elite peer review success	High-quality, disruptive science sets winners apart

🎯 Recommendations for Applicants

Emphasize bold innovation—particularly ideas without extensive preliminary data but with disruptive potential.

Showcase independence—highlight leadership, publications, and unique contributions.

Frame your career trajectory—indicate how the fellowship is a launchpad toward major funding and impact.

Leverage Foundation resources—use data, collaborations, or networks like St. Jude or Rachleff’s startup initiative.

Prepare for rigorous review—present strong hypotheses, clear aims, and a case for scientific transformation.

Specialties

Cancer

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must hold MD, DO, or MD/PHD Degrees from an accredited Institution.

Eligible Countries:

United States

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: One Exchange Plaza 55 Broadway, Suite 302 New York, NY 10006

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