ACS Research Scholar Grant: Rules and Deadlines

The American Cancer Society Research Scholar Grant (RSG) is an investigator-initiated award designed to support independent, early-career cancer researchers across laboratory, clinical, and population fields. It provides up to $215,000 per year in direct costs for up to 4 years to investigators who have held independent faculty appointments for 8 years or less. In modern oncology, this award serves as a vital bridge between postdoctoral training and sustained federal research funding.

What it is and who runs it

The Research Scholar Grant is administered by the Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) department of the American Cancer Society (ACS). As described on the official page on 2026-11-08, the program is investigator-initiated: applicants formulate their own hypotheses and experimental aims rather than responding to targeted solicitations. Proposals may address questions across the cancer continuum—spanning basic cell biology, genetics, diagnostic tools, therapeutics, and outcomes research—provided the work aligns with an ACS priority research area.

Operating alongside the broader landscape of cancer research funding, the RSG helps newly independent investigators establish their research programs. Applications undergo competitive peer review by specialized external committees convened by the ACS Extramural Discovery Science department.

Eligibility (summary, with the official source)

Eligibility criteria for the Research Scholar Grant are established by the American Cancer Society, as described on the official page on 2026-11-08. To apply, candidates must meet the following official requirements:

• Host Institution: Applicants must be employed at an eligible United States academic institution or non-profit research institute that provides independent laboratory space and standard institutional resources.
• Career Window: New applicants must have received their first independent, full-time faculty appointment (or equivalent) 8 years or less prior to the application deadline. Resubmissions past the 8-year mark require prior approval from the ACS Program Office.
• Federal Grant Limits: At application time, an investigator may serve as Principal Investigator (PI) on no more than one active NIH R01 or R01-equivalent grant. ACS defines an R01-equivalent as an award providing over $100,000 per year in direct costs for more than 3 years.
• Prior RSG Awards: Current or past RSG recipients cannot apply for a second RSG unless their original grant was funded under a targeted Request for Applications (RFA).
• Citizenship: United States citizenship is not required; non-citizens working in eligible US institutions are eligible.
• Leave Extensions: Clock extension requests for parental, medical, or personal leave must be emailed to [email protected] at least 6 weeks before the submission deadline.

What it funds or requires

As described on the official page on 2026-11-08, the Research Scholar Grant supports research operations under specific budgetary boundaries:

• Direct Funding: Up to $215,000 per year in direct costs for up to 4 years (maximum $860,000 direct costs).
• Indirect Costs: Institutional indirect costs are capped at 10% of direct costs (up to $21,500 annually; maximum $86,000 over 4 years), yielding a total possible award of $946,000.
• Allowable Expenses: Funds cover investigator and staff salaries, fringe benefits, laboratory supplies, animal care, equipment, and publication fees directly tied to the project aims.
• Regulatory Oversight: Awardees must secure necessary IACUC or IRB approvals prior to award activation and comply with institutional research governance. Awardees managing team compliance should note standard administrative frameworks outlined in our overview of NIH financial conflict of interest standards.

Application or compliance steps

Applying for an American Cancer Society research grant involves electronic submission through ProposalCentral:

1. Review Mechanism Scope: Confirm that faculty appointment timing falls within the 8-year limit and that active grants do not exceed the one-R01 threshold. Ensure alignment with an ACS priority area.
2. Create ProposalCentral Account: Register on ProposalCentral (proposalcentral.com), complete user professional profiles, and link institutional affiliations.
3. Designate Institution Officials: Link authorized institutional signatories, including signing officials, financial officers, and department chairs, within the portal.
4. Prepare the Proposal Narrative: Write project components including Specific Aims, Research Strategy (Significance, Innovation, Approach), and data sharing documentation.
5. Attach Supporting Files: Upload biosketches, letters of collaboration, resource descriptions, and detailed yearly budget justifications.
6. Submit Before Deadline: Submit through ProposalCentral by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on the deadline date (or the next business day if falling on a weekend or holiday).

Investigators leading project operations should review responsibilities detailed in our guide on what a principal investigator does to ensure rigorous compliance.

Typical timeline phases (no calendar dates as facts)

The ACS extramural grant cycle operates on recurring seasonal phases rather than fixed calendar dates, generally offering two submission cycles per year (summer with a June deadline and winter with a December deadline):

• Application Window: Application forms and instructions open in ProposalCentral approximately three months before each deadline (March for summer, September for winter).
• Intake and Committee Assignment: About 1 month after submission, ACS sends an email confirming receipt, application number, and assigned Peer Review Committee.
• Scientific Review: Peer Review Committees of 12 to 25 subject-matter experts and up to 3 Community Research Partners review and score applications, with at least two primary reviewers per proposal.
• Critiques Issued: Approximately 4 months post-submission, applicants receive reviewer critiques and scoring feedback.
• Second-Tier Council Review: The Discovery Scientific Council reviews committee scores and recommends final funding allocations.
• Decision Notification: Final award decisions are released bi-annually (typically January and August), followed by post-award contracting.

Common mistakes

Applicants commonly run into administrative pitfalls that compromise eligibility or score competitiveness:

• Misjudging Faculty Appointment Date: Calculating the 8-year clock from promotion to Associate Professor rather than initial independent appointment.
• Unreported R01 Equivalents: Omitting non-NIH foundation or defense grants providing over $100,000 direct costs/year for more than 3 years.
• Requesting Standard Overhead: Requesting standard federally negotiated indirect cost rates rather than the mandatory 10% ACS cap.
• Late Leave Requests: Submitting eligibility extension requests fewer than 6 weeks prior to the application deadline.
• Incomplete Sign-offs: Failing to initiate institutional sign-offs early, causing ProposalCentral lock-out at deadline.

Related programs

The ACS offers multiple funding programs alongside federal opportunities such as NCI funding. When evaluating awards across fields like oncology vs. hematology, researchers should consider these key mechanisms:

Grant Mechanism	Target Career Stage	Maximum Annual Direct Costs	Typical Duration	Primary Focus
Research Scholar Grant (RSG)	Early independent faculty (≤8 years)	$215,000	Up to 4 years	Investigator-initiated cancer research across all disciplines
Discovery Boost Grant (DBG)	Early and senior investigators	$100,000	Up to 2 years	High-risk, exploratory pilot investigations
Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG)	Junior clinician-investigators	$135,000 to $175,000	3 to 5 years	Protected research time and mentored clinical investigation
Postdoctoral Fellowship (PF)	Postdoctoral researchers (≤3 years post-doc)	Stipend + allowance	Up to 3 years	Mentored training for emerging basic and clinical researchers
Mission Boost Grant (MBG)	Current or past ACS RSG/CSDG grantees	$100,000 (Stage 1)	Up to 2 years	Translational advancement toward clinical trials or commercialization
Institutional Research Grant (IRG)	Junior faculty at designated centers	Block institutional award	3 years	Institutional seed money for newly independent faculty

FAQ

What is the maximum budget for an ACS Research Scholar Grant?

The award provides up to $215,000 per year in direct costs for up to 4 years ($860,000 maximum direct costs). With allowable 10% indirect costs ($21,500 per year), the total maximum award is $946,000.

Can non-US citizens apply for an ACS Research Scholar Grant?

Yes. Non-US citizens are eligible provided they hold an independent, full-time faculty or equivalent position at an eligible US institution or non-profit research organization.

How does the American Cancer Society define an R01-equivalent grant?

An R01-equivalent is defined as any grant providing more than $100,000 per year in direct costs for longer than 3 years. Investigators holding more than one active R01 or R01-equivalent award are ineligible.

Can I submit an application after 8 years on faculty?

New applications require the applicant to have been appointed 8 years or less prior to the deadline. Resubmissions or extensions due to medical or parental leave require formal Program Office approval.

Which submission system is used for ACS research grants?

All applications must be submitted electronically through ProposalCentral (proposalcentral.com). Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, and paper submissions are not accepted.

Sources

• American Cancer Society (ACS): Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) – Research Scholar Grants (RSG) Official Program Page, https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/grant-types/research-scholar-grants.html, read 2026-11-08.
• American Cancer Society (ACS): Our Grant Process, https://www.cancer.org/research/we-fund-cancer-research/apply-research-grant/our-grant-process.html, read 2026-11-08.