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American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant

About the ACS IRG

The American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grants (ACS IRG) is awarded to junior faculty to pursue basic, pre-clinical, clinical and cancer-control research studies. These funds are intended for new investigators who are within six years of their first academic appointment, and to provide new investigators with necessary resources to more rapidly develop their research, generate pilot data and publish their results, all of which enhances their ability to compete for national-level funding.

Award details

  • Awards of up to $40,000/year are provided for up to five junior faculty each year
  • Awardees must have an established mentor/mentoring team in place
  • A Massey investigator may only hold one active pilot research award at a time

Application requirements

  • Applicants are required to consult with a biostatistician as part of the proposal to assist with design and statistical methods if applicable. For biostatistical support, please contact Massey's Biostatistics Shared Resource.
  • Applicants are also encouraged to engage a Community Champion in the project. Please contact Dr. Maria Thomson at cancerchamps@vcu.edu to set an appointment for your consultation.

Upcoming deadlines and award dates

2024 (cycle 2) applications are now being accepted! Please find the details for the application process below:

  • Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO)
  • Required cover page and documents 
  • Letter of Intent due by August 16, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (EST)
  • Full applications due by September 30, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (EST). Please submit all application documents to haynesa4@vcu.edu.
  • The earliest start date will be no later than December 31, 2024.

If you have questions about the ACS IRG, please contact Alex Haynes at haynesa4@vcu.edu or (305) 915-4200.

Previous ACS IRG awardees

Awardees Project
Sarah Braun, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Neurology

C-SMART for Patients with Primary Brain Tumors: A Feasibility and Acceptability Pilot of a Novel Neuropsychological Rehabilitation Intervention and Neurobiological Research Procedures

View abstract

Adam Khader, M.D., Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Surgery

Role of FXIIIa in Colorectal Cancer Peritoneal Metastasis

View abstract

Emily Kinsey, M.D.
Assistant Professor,
Internal Medicine

A Pilot Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of the Addition of Ciprofloxacin, Metronidazole and Aspirin in Addition to Chemotherapy in Patients Undergoing First Line Therapy for Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

View abstract

Carrie Miller, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Assistant Professor,
Family Medicine & Population Health

Enhancing Diversity in Multi-Cancer Early Detection (MCED) Trials

View abstract

Awardees Project
Elizabeth Krieger, M.D.
Assistant Professor,
Pediatrics

Understanding Donor Lymphocyte Infusion Response: A Longitudinal Molecular Examination of T cell Receptor Diversity and Activation

View abstract

Jiong Li, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Medicinal Chemistry

KDM5 is a Novel Therapeutic Target for Colorectal Cancer

View abstract

Autumn Lanoye, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Internal Medicine

Feasibility and Acceptability of an Anti-Inflammatory Lifestyle Intervention for Emerging Adult Cancer Survivors

View abstract

Lathika Mohanraj, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Adult Health & Nursing Systems

Investigation of Psychosocial Biomarkers and Transplant Outcomes in Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation Recipients

View abstract

Awardees Project
Wook Jin (Eddie) Chae, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Microbiology & Immunology

Regulation of Innate Lymphoid Cell Mediated Anti-tumor Immunity by the Wnt System

View abstract

Elizabeth Krieger, M.D.
Assistant Professor,
Pediatric Hematology & Oncology

Understanding Donor Lymphocyte Infusion Response: A Longitudinal Molecular Examination of T-cell Receptor Diversity and Activation

View abstract

Georgia Thomas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Internal Medicine

Orthostatic Intolerance Syndromes Following Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

View abstract

Katherine Tossas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Health Behavior and Policy

Role of the Vaginal Microbiome on Human Papilloma Virus Carcinogenicity - Implications for Racial Disparities

View abstract

Teresa Salgado, MPharm, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Pharmacotherapy & Outcomes Science

Preferences for Chemotherapy Discontinuation due to Chemotherapy Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Among Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer

View abstract

Awardees Project
Richard "Inho" Joh, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Physics

Heterochromatin-mediated Mechanosensing for Tumor Dormancy

View abstract

Jie Shen, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Epidemiology

The Role of Allostatic Load and Biological Aging in the Association of Neighborhood Disadvantage with Breast Cancer Outcomes and Racial Disparity

View abstract

Katherine Tossas, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Health Behavior and Policy

Role of the Vaginal Microbiome on Human Papilloma Virus Carcinogenicity - Implications for Racial Disparities

View abstract

Xuewei Wang, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Chemistry

Potassium Ionophore-based Lipid Nanoparticles for Treatment of Solid Tumors with Necrosis

View abstract

Chunqing Guo, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor Human &
Molecular Genetics

Blockade of Scavenger Receptor a to Enhance Cancer Immunotherapy and Radiotherapy

View abstract

Rebecca Martin, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Microbiology & Immunology

ADAM17 and Membrane TNF on Macrophages Regulates ST2+ T Regulatory Cells that Limit Obesity-induced Inflammation in Mice

View abstract

Sun Jung "Sunny" Kim, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor,
Health Behavior & Policy

Cannabis Use and Acceptance among Cancer Survivors and Care Providers

View abstract