Policy on Letters of Support
In general, ASTRO does not offer letters of support for research funded through the NIH. However, letters of collaboration may be granted for studies related to comparative effectiveness.ASTRO Grant and Fellowship Recipients
ASTRO values opportunities to support early career scientists. Congratulations to our 2024 recipients!
Funding Opportunities
Active Research Funding Opportunities
ASTRO, alone and in partnership with others, funds research for junior faculty, residents, fellows and postdoctoral fellows in support of radiation oncology researchers’ careers. We recommend frequently checking this page for updates on open opportunities. For questions, please contact the Department of Scientific Affairs.
Watch the Team Science Research-Oriented Career Knowledge and Support (ROCKS) webinar to learn from successful ASTRO grant recipients about how these grants can advance your research career. Hear firsthand experiences, tips and strategies on navigating the grant application process, building collaborations and aligning your research goals with funding opportunities. This session is packed with valuable insights for early-career researchers, residents, fellows and junior faculty in radiation oncology and medical physics. Don’t miss this opportunity to discover how ASTRO grants can help you take the next step in your career! Available from December 4, 2024, through December 3, 2027.
View the ROCKS webinar at ASTRO ROCKS: ASTRO Supported Grants | ASTRO
Career Development Awards and Fellowships
ASTRO-AstraZeneca Radiation Oncology Research Training Fellowships
Application Deadline: January 10, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
Two fellowships are designed to provide U.S.-based residents or other trainees with real-world training experience in the development, administration and application of sponsored clinical research and real-world studies from a pharmaceutical company perspective. Opportunities within AstraZeneca (AZ) programs focused on immuno-oncology and targeted therapies as treatment strategies for non-small cell and small cell lung cancer are included. Check out this previous webinar session we had on AstraZeneca on the ASTRO Academy.
ASTRO-BCRF Emerging Investigator Award to Build a Diverse Scientific Workforce
Application Deadline: January 10, 2025, 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
Eligible Individuals (Principal Investigators (PIs))
Any applicant who self-identifies as a member of any of the “Underrepresented Populations in the U.S. Biomedical, Clinical, Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Enterprise” as listed in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031). Multiple PIs are not allowed.
This is a joint effort with the Breast Cancer Research Foundation (BCRF) to support one Emerging Investigator Award (EIA) to Build a Diverse Scientific Workforce. The goal of the ASTRO-BCRF EIA is to foster and develop talented early career breast radiation oncology researchers who are members of the populations that are currently underrepresented in biomedical research. Among other requirements as listed in the Program Announcement, any Eligible Individual (Principal Investigators (PI)) must be able to self-identify as a member of any of the “Underrepresented Populations in the U.S. Biomedical, Clinical, Behavioral and Social Sciences Research Enterprise” as listed in the Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity (NOT-OD-20-031*). The award may be for one year with $100,000 total for direct costs (no indirect cost is allowed). To apply, visit the ASTRO ProposalCentral portal.
Seed Grants
The Seed Grants provide up to $50,000 over one year. They are designed to foster the research careers of residents and fellows interested in radiation oncology related basic, translational and/or clinical research. Applicants must be enrolled in a U.S. residency or fellowship at the time of application.
ASTRO Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Seed Grant
Application Deadline: February 7, 2025; 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
These grants will support trainees developing any area of research that has the potential to advance the radiation oncology field. The biology-focused seed grant supports trainees advancing biological research in radiation oncology and/or cancer focused sciences.
ASTRO-LUNGevity Residents/Fellows in Radiation Oncology Seed Grant
Application Deadline: TBD
This is a joint effort with the LUNGevity Foundation (LUNGevity) to foster the career advancement of residents or fellows conducting radiation oncology related research for the benefit of patients with lung cancer. For more information and to apply, please visit ProposalCentral.
ASTRO-AAPM Physics Residents/Postdoctoral Fellows Seed Grant
Application Deadline: March 18, 2025; 11:59 p.m. Eastern time
This is a joint effort with the American Association of Physicists in Medicine (AAPM) to support the research of medical physics residents and postdoctoral fellows and advance their careers. The proposed project must be focused on physics-related research in radiation oncology. Applicants (PhD or equivalent) must be a postdoctoral fellow or medical physics resident and be a member of ASTRO and AAPM or have applied for the respective memberships at the time of application. Up to two awards are anticipated. To apply and view the detailed eligibility criteria, visit the AAPM website.
Past Research Funding Opportunities
NRG Health Equity Fellows
Application Deadline: September 20, 2024
View the Program Description
ASTRO co-funds one of the NRG Health Equity Fellows with a goal of training the next generation of researchers and physicians who have the support base required to confidently conduct inclusive research. This is a $50,000 over two-year award for early-stage investigators.
ASTRO-ACS Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG)
Application Deadline: October 15, 2024
View the Program Announcement
The Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG) supports full-time faculty members in becoming independent investigators as clinician scientists. This grant is designed for people trained primarily as clinicians who want to maintain clinical practice and conduct cancer research. Specifically, for this RFA in partnership with ASTRO, the applicant must be in the radiation oncology field.
Application Deadline: November 4, 2024
View the Request for Proposals for additional details (Page 15)
ASTRO partners with the Melanoma Research Alliance to offer a Young Investigator Award to offer a special opportunity to support research in radiation oncology to improve treatment options for melanoma patients. This is a $255,000 award over three years; early career radiation oncology, radiation or cancer biology, or physicist investigators are encouraged to submit radiation oncology research proposals that include at least 50% effort on melanoma.
