If you’re a passionate pediatric oncology fellow with dreams of shaping the future of childhood cancer research, the St. Baldrick’s Foundation Fellowship Award 2026 could be your breakthrough opportunity. Dedicated to empowering the next generation of physician-scientists, this prestigious fellowship supports researchers working on innovative projects that aim to understand, treat, and ultimately cure childhood cancers.
What is the St. Baldrick’s Fellowship Award?
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a donor-driven charity focused on funding the most promising childhood cancer research. Its Fellowship Award is specifically designed to support early-career physician-scientists in pediatric oncology by providing protected research time to delve deep into cutting-edge investigations. Whether your interests lie in survivorship and quality of life, epidemiology, supportive care, precision medicine, or cancer predispositions, this fellowship offers the support to turn your ideas into life-saving innovations.
Funding and Benefits
The award offers up to $97,500 per year for a two-year fellowship, totaling $195,000, covering salary and benefits only. There’s also the possibility of a third year of funding based on exceptional progress and demonstrated need. This substantial funding ensures that selected fellows can fully focus on impactful pediatric cancer research without financial constraints.
Who Can Apply? – Eligibility Criteria
To be considered for the 2026 Fellowship Award, applicants must meet the following conditions:
- Hold an M.D. or D.O. degree by the start of the grant term.
- Be employed at a U.S.-based academic or non-profit research institution or laboratory.
- Be in their 2nd or 3rd year of a pediatric oncology fellowship by July 1, 2026.
- Not hold a faculty appointment at the level of Assistant Professor or higher.
- Be supervised by a primary mentor in a Pediatric Hematology/Oncology fellowship program approved by the American Board of Pediatrics.
If your research focuses on brain tumors (e.g., DIPG/DMG, AT/RT, GBM), Burkitt lymphoma, or extrarenal rhabdoid tumors, you may even be eligible to represent a second institutional application, as these topics are of particular priority.
Application Timeline and Deadlines
The application process for the 2026 award includes both an internal selection phase and the formal submission to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation:
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Internal Application Deadline (via InfoReady Review):
May 30, 2025 by 11:59 PM ET
Submit your short answer questions, a 2-page project summary, and updated biosketches for both the applicant and mentor. -
Anticipated Internal Notification Date:
June 9, 2025
Selected applicants will be notified and assisted in finalizing their Letter of Intent (LOI). -
LOI Submission Deadline to the Foundation:
July 8, 2025 by 5:00 PM ET
All selected applicants will receive support from Foundation Relations in preparing their official materials for submission.
