Call for Applications: AACR-CIHR Scholar-in-Training Awards 2026

As part of its longstanding partnership with the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR), the CIHR Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is delighted to re-launch the open call for applications for the AACR-CIHR Scholar-in-Training Awards (SITA). An expansion of the highly prestigious and successful AACR SITA competition, these awards will support young investigators from Canada, particularly from underrepresented groups^{Footnote 1}, to present their research at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026, the world's largest cancer research conference.

Objectives

The AACR-CIHR SITAs aim to promote capacity building in the Canadian cancer research landscape by:

• Enhancing the education and professional development of young investigators, particularly from traditionally underrepresented groups^{Footnote 1} in cancer research, and encourage them to pursue careers in cancer research;
• Providing scholars with an opportunity to share their research with the international cancer research community at the AACR Annual Meeting and network with leading experts in the field; and
• Recognizing outstanding young investigators presenting meritorious proffered papers at the AACR Annual Meeting.

Recipients of the award will receive complimentary registration and a stipend towards travel, subsistence expenses, and poster printing costs to participate in the AACR Annual Meeting 2026, happening from April 17-22, 2026, in San Diego, California. Awardees are responsible for making their own travel arrangements.

Eligibility

The eligibility criteria for the 2026 AACR-CIHR SITAs are as follows:

1. Candidates must be full-time doctoral students, postdoctoral fellows (post-PhD), or post-health professional degree fellows (e.g., nursing, physiotherapy, medicine, dentistry) at a Canadian academic or research institution.
2. Candidates must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
3. Candidates must be the first author and presenter of a meritorious abstract at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026. Awardees are required to present in-person; remote presentations are not permitted.
4. Candidates must be AACR Associate Members in good standing.
   • If you do not currently hold AACR Associate Membership, please apply on the AACR portal by October 31, 2025 in order to obtain a membership in time to then submit an application for an AACR-CIHR SITA. The membership is free. Further information regarding AACR Associate Membership can be found on their website.
5. Employees or subcontractors of private industry are not eligible.
6. Candidates may not receive the AACR-CIHR SITA more than once.
7. If an awardee is unable to attend the AACR Annual Meeting 2026, the award must be forfeited. An awardee who cancels their participation in the Annual Meeting is financially responsible for any costs incurred.

If you would like to apply to the AACR-CIHR SITAs, but are uncertain about your eligibility, we encourage you to contact AACR at sita@aacr.org. We are committed to ensuring that every applicant's eligibility is appropriately and fairly assessed.

How to Apply

Submit an online application form using the AACR portal. Please ensure that you respond ‘Yes’ to being a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in the application form to be considered for this award. Applications from all areas of cancer research are encouraged.

Please consult the AACR website for all other details regarding application requirements for the SITAs. Note: Application instructions on the AACR website are available in English only.

Applicants must apply for AACR Associate Membership by October 31, 2025, to be eligible.

Applicants must submit their AACR-CIHR SITA application by November 18, 2025.

Notice of Decision

Successful applicants will be notified by e-mail in February – March 2026.

Contact Information

For all inquiries related to the AACR-CIHR SITAs, please e-mail AACR at sita@aacr.org.

Date modified:

2025-09-16