The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is a large professional organisation dedicated to advancing cancer research. Its mission is to prevent and cure cancer through research, education, communication and collaboration.

The AACR-AstraZeneca Career Development Award for Physician-Scientists in Honour of José Baselga has been established to honour the life and legacy of Dr José Baselga, who was a scientific leader and supportive mentor to an entire generation of physician-scientists. Dr Baselga's research focused on novel molecular targeted therapeutics and he played a leading role in the clinical development of multiple cancer drugs.

The aim of this funding programme is to encourage and support junior physician-scientists to conduct research and bolster the development of innovative targeted therapeutics. Proposed projects may be translational or clinical in nature and focused on all aspects of oncology.

Before the start of the grant term (1 July 2022) applicants must:

• Have a medical degree (MD, MD/PhD, DO or equivalent) in a related field and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral degree.
• Hold a faculty position with the title of assistant professor, instructor, research assistant professor or the equivalent. Applicants who have progressed to associate professor appointments are not eligible.
• Be able to commit at least 50% of full-time effort in research (applies to total research, not just the proposed project) during the grant term.
• Have completed their most recent doctoral degree or medical residency (or equivalent) - whichever date is later - within the past 11 years (ie the degree cannot have been conferred before 1 July 2011; the formal date of receipt of doctoral degree is the date the degree was conferred, as indicated on their diploma and/or transcript).
• Have independent laboratory space and be able to hold independent funding as confirmed by their institution.
• Have a valid, active medical license in the country where the research will be conducted.
• Work at an academic, medical or research institution anywhere in the world.

In addition to research support, grant recipients may also receive opportunities for mentoring from AstraZeneca scientists over the course of the grant term. The frequency and format of these opportunities will be determined on a case-by-case basis, to ensure that the mentoring experience is tailored to each specific research project and suits the needs and interests of both the grant recipient and AstraZeneca.

Although there are no citizenship or geographic requirements, an applicant applying from an institution located in a country in which they are not a citizen or a permanent resident must ensure that their visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project and grant term at the institution from which they applied.

Applicants must be AACR Active members and research projects may be in any area of translational or clinical cancer research. Non-members interested in this grant opportunity must submit a satisfactory application for AACR Active membership by the deadline.

The grant provides $300,000 over a period of three years for expenses related to the research project, which may include salary and benefits of the grant recipient and any collaborator, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, graduate students (including tuition costs associated with graduate students' education and training) or research assistants; research/laboratory supplies; equipment; publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project; and other research expenses.

Indirect costs are not permitted.

Scientific investigators or health professionals who are funded by the tobacco industry for any research project are not eligible for any AACR grant.

Application Procedure

Applicants must complete an online Letter of Intent submission using the ProposalCentral website by 19 October 2021.

Inquiries about the scheme guidelines, eligibility requirements and Letter of Intent materials can be directed to the AACR's Scientific Review and Grants Administration department at grants@aacr.org.