CDMRP Kidney Cancer research Program: Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators – Early-Career Scholar Award

The mission of the KCRP is to promote rigorous, innovative, high-impact research in kidney cancer for the benefit of Service Members, Veterans, and the American public.

This award supports a unique, interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty emerging as potential leaders of kidney cancer research.

Early career applicants must be less than 7 years from last postdoctoral position. 

Applications must address at least one of the FY26 KCRP focus areas,

• Conduct basic biology research to better understand etiology and cancer progression, metastatic disease, refractory disease and therapeutic resistance, 

• Identify and develop new strategies for screening, early-stage detection, and accurate diagnosis and prognosis prediction of kidney cancers.

• Define the biology of rare kidney cancers and develop treatments to improve outcomes and reduce death.

• Develop novel, less toxic therapeutic strategies for all types of kidney cancer.

• Identify and implement strategies to improve quality of life and survivorship for kidney cancer patients.

• Identify and implement strategies to enhance outcomes in high-risk kidney cancer patients.

• Increase capacity and multi-disciplinary research through support and development of the next generation of kidney cancer researchers to improve patient care.

Applications must address at least one of the kidney cancer disease types:

• Clear cell renal tumors

• Papillary renal tumors 

It is expected that 2 awards will be granted. 

Funding: $1,200,000

Duration: 4 years

Research Authority due date: 7.9.26

Pre application (required) due date: 14.9.26

Full proposal due date: 28.9.26