Cancer Research Institute
Lloyd J. Old STAR Program
23:59 Eastern Time
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The Lloyd J. Old STAR Program provides up to $1.25 million over five years for mid-career cancer immunotherapy researchers to pursue high-risk, high-reward projects. Eligible applicants are tenure-track assistant professors with at least three years in role, or associate professors within their first three years, holding an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD and committing at least 80% time to research. The programme is open globally to researchers hosted at non-profit medical schools and research centres.
Details
| Funder | Cancer Research Institute |
| Budget | $1.25M over 5 years |
| Deadline | 15 January 2027 |
| Duration | 5 years |
| Consortium | No - individual applicant, hosted by applicant's own tenure-track institution |
| Application | Single stage application; invited candidates undergo virtual interview |
| Frequency | Annual |
Eligibility & scope
For mid-career, tenure-track assistant or associate professors (M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent) with 3 years in that position, working on high-risk, high-reward cancer immunotherapy research; requires minimum 80% research time commitment; research must be conducted at non-profit medical schools or research centers, US or abroad (no for-profit institutions).
Who Should Apply
- •Tenure-track assistant professors with 3+ years in role, or associate professors within first 3 years
- •Researchers with MD, PhD, or MD/PhD degree
- •Applicants committing minimum 80% time to research
- •Hosted at non-profit medical schools or research centres (US or internationally)
- •Cancer immunotherapy projects with significant scientific risk and potential reward
Key Dates
- •Deadline: 15 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time
- •Two-stage: initial application, then invited virtual interview in Spring 2027
- •Five-year project duration
Tips for Applicants
- ✓Emphasise the high-risk/high-reward framing explicitly, CRI funds conceptually novel immunotherapy approaches, not incremental extensions.
- ✓Include institutional verification of your tenure-track status and research-time allocation; panel confirms eligibility early.
- ✓Virtual interview panel will probe feasibility of ambitious aims; prepare a clear risk-mitigation narrative.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Lloyd J. Old STAR Program?
Tenure-track assistant professors with at least 3 years in role, or associate professors within their first 3 years, holding an MD, PhD, or MD/PhD, with at least 80% time commitment to research. Host institution must be a non-profit medical school or research centre (US or abroad); for-profit institutions and adjunct/acting positions are not eligible.
How much does the Lloyd J. Old STAR Program provide?
Up to $1.25 million over five years, plus up to 10% indirect costs.
When is the Lloyd J. Old STAR Program deadline?
15 January 2027, 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. If the deadline falls on a weekend, applications are accepted until the end of the following Monday.
What type of research does the Lloyd J. Old STAR Program fund?
High-risk, high-reward cancer immunotherapy research led by mid-career scientists.
Is the Lloyd J. Old STAR Program interview required?
Yes, selected applicants advance to a virtual interview in Spring 2027 as the second stage of evaluation.
Summary generated by AI based on published grant information. Always verify details on the funder's website.
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