ICRF sponsors the following four types of awards as a means of supporting investigators during the early stages of their careers. These research awards are among the largest available to Israeli cancer researchers, who must often compete against better-funded U.S. and European scientists. The awards enable many post-doctoral fellows to return from overseas fellowships, start careers, establish laboratories and build families in Israel, rather than being lost forever to foreign academic institutions or companies.

Postdoctoral Fellowships

These awards are intended to support young investigators during their postdoctoral training period. Awards are granted with the understanding that they will support specific projects conducted by recent postdoctoral scientists under the supervision of designated sponsoring senior investigators. Preference is given to persons with no more than three years of postdoctoral fellowship or equivalent experience prior to the award commencement date. Applications are also encouraged from M.D.'s who wish to pursue additional investigative work in a laboratory setting to acquire research experience. Awards are made for two (2) years at a stipend of $25,000 per year, and applications are accepted twice a year, at six-month intervals. (Please see the Policies for further information.) Current Fellowship recipients in the second year of their award desiring continued funding must submit a complete new application for a Project Grant.

Project Grants

These awards are intended to support the research of established investigators. Awards are granted with the understanding that they will support specific projects under the direction of designated principal investigators. Preference is given to persons with more than three years of postdoctoral fellowship or equivalent experience prior to the award commencement date. Awards are made for from one (1) to two (2) years at a stipend of $30,000 per year. (Current Project Grant recipients are encouraged to reapply for continued funding of the same project. Ideally, this should be done during the second year of the award so that, if selected, the new grant will begin upon completion of the old.)

Research Career Development Awards

These awards are intended to enhance the research capabilities of young Israeli scientists in the formative phase of their careers who have demonstrated outstanding potential for contribution to cancer research as independent investigators. Candidates must have a doctoral degree, at least three (3) years of postdoctoral fellowship or equivalent experience, and be within five (5) years of their first appointment to an independent position prior to the award commencement date. Awards are made for three (3) years at a stipend of $35,000 per year. (Recipients are permitted and encouraged to reapply once for an additional three years of support, provided that they are still within five years of their first appointment to an independent position prior to the award commencement date.)

Clinical Research Career Development Awards

These awards are intended to enhance the clinical research capabilities of young Israeli scientists in the formative phase of their careers who have demonstrated outstanding potential for contribution to clinical cancer research as independent investigators. Their main purpose is to provide free time for young medical or pediatric oncologists to devote to clinical research projects and to obtain additional (post-fellowship) training to become a leader in clinical research programs. Candidates must have a medical degree and at least two (2) years of fellowship training in medical or pediatric hematology-oncology or a related specialty, but not more than five (5) years of subsequent relevant professional experience prior to the award commencement date. A CRCDA is limited to a single support period of three (3) years at a stipend of $45,000 per year. (Past recipients are not permitted to reapply for this award.)

Professorships

These awards represent ICRF's highest level of funding and are awarded to the most senior, experience scientists. The "Professorship Award" recognizes the career achievements of senior faculty, or persons in equivalent positions, who have made outstanding contributions to cancer research. Recipients of this award are typically internationally renowned for their work and are often in positions to mentor younger scientists. The award provides a stipend of $50,000 per year for a minimum of seven years, for a total of at least $350,000.