Call for Applications: CRI IGNITE Award Grant

Deadline: 11-Jan-2027

The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) IGNITE Award supports exceptional postdoctoral researchers in cancer immunology as they transition from mentored research positions to independent tenure-track faculty careers. The programme provides up to $300,000 during the Foundation Phase and up to $750,000 during the Independence Phase, combined with institutional support, mentorship, protected research time, and resources to help promising scientists establish independent cancer research programmes. What Is the CRI IGNITE Award? The CRI IGNITE Award is a career development and research funding programme created by the Cancer Research Institute to support the next generation of independent cancer immunology researchers. The programme addresses a critical career transition: moving from a postdoctoral research position to an independent faculty appointment. IGNITE combines financial support from CRI with a formal commitment from the host institution. This model is intended to give researchers the time, resources, mentorship, and institutional support needed to establish sustainable independent research careers. What Does the IGNITE Award Support? The programme focuses specifically on researchers working in cancer immunology and related areas of cancer immunotherapy research.

Support is intended to help researchers:

Develop an independent research programme. Generate preliminary data. Build a competitive research portfolio. Prepare future grant applications. Transition into an independent faculty position. Establish a sustainable scientific career. Pursue high-impact research in cancer immunology. Contribute to advances in cancer immunotherapy. How Does the CRI IGNITE Program Work? The programme has two sequential phases. Foundation Phase The Foundation Phase provides up to two years of postdoctoral support.

Funding is:

Up to $150,000 per year. Up to $300,000 over two years. $90,000 per year for salary. $60,000 per year for independent research activities. This phase is designed to help promising postdoctoral researchers develop the scientific foundation needed for independence. During this period, researchers can focus on developing their research programme, producing preliminary data, strengthening their scientific profile, and preparing for the transition to faculty-level independence. Independence Phase The Independence Phase provides up to three years of faculty support.

Funding is:

Up to $250,000 per year. Up to $750,000 over three years. The Independence Phase is intended to support researchers after they transition into an independent faculty role. The award is contingent on the host institution providing an adequate start-up package and formal institutional commitment to the candidate’s research independence. What Is the Institutional Co-Investment? A distinctive feature of IGNITE is that CRI funding is combined with a formal commitment from the host institution. During the Independence Phase, the institution is expected to provide appropriate resources that support the researcher’s transition to independence. Institutional support for establishing an independent research programme. The purpose is to ensure that the award does not simply provide short-term funding but creates an environment in which the researcher can establish a sustainable independent laboratory and research career. Why Does the IGNITE Award Matter? The transition from postdoctoral research to an independent faculty position can be challenging for early-career scientists. Researchers may have strong scientific records but still face difficulties obtaining: Independent positions. Research funding. Laboratory resources. Protected research time. Mentorship during the transition to independence. IGNITE addresses these challenges by combining research funding with a structured career pathway. The programme therefore supports both scientific discovery and researcher development. Who Is Eligible? Applicants must meet specific career-stage requirements.

Eligible candidates must:

Be in a mentored postdoctoral position when applying. Have no more than five years of postdoctoral experience, although exceptions may be considered. Be working in cancer immunology. Have not previously held an independent research faculty position. Have not previously held a tenure-track faculty position. Be prepared to transition toward research independence. The programme is open to both U.S. and international researchers. Are International Researchers Eligible? Yes. The programme has no citizenship requirement, meaning qualified researchers from outside the United States may apply.

Research can also be conducted:

In the United States. Outside the United States. Applicants should ensure that their proposed host institution and research environment satisfy all applicable programme requirements. Who Is Not Eligible? Researchers are not eligible if they have already established themselves as independent faculty researchers in a qualifying position. In particular, applicants must not have previously held: An independent research faculty position. A tenure-track faculty position. The programme is intended for researchers who are still in the mentored postdoctoral stage and preparing to establish independence. What Research Areas Are Supported? The IGNITE Award focuses on cancer immunology. Relevant research may involve areas such as: Tumor immunology. Immune responses to cancer. Cancer immunotherapy. Tumor-immune interactions. Immune-based cancer treatments. Translational cancer immunology. Fundamental mechanisms relevant to cancer immunotherapy. Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their proposed research contributes to the broader field of cancer immunology. How to Prepare an IGNITE Application

Step 1: Confirm Your Career Stage

Verify that you are currently in a mentored postdoctoral position and have no more than five years of postdoctoral experience, unless an applicable exception applies. Also confirm that you have never held