Limited Submission Opportunity: Pew-Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research Program 2026
URL: https://www.pewtrusts.org/en/projects/pew-stewart-scholars-for-cancer-research/program-details
OBJECTIVES
The Pew-Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research supports assistant professors of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of a cure for cancer. In line with The Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust’s mission to invest in innovative, cutting-edge cancer research that may accelerate and advance progress toward a cure for cancer, applications are invited from nominees conducting cancer research.
This program is distinct from the Pew Scholars Program, and it follows a different, but parallel set of guidelines and procedures for nominating an applicant whose research is related to cancer.
FUNDING INFORMATION
An award of $75,000 per year for 4 years ($300,000 total) will be provided to the sponsoring institution for use by the Pew-Stewart scholar, subject to annual review of his or her progress. Grant agreements will be issued in August of the award year. The awarded funds may be used at the discretion of the Pew-Stewart scholar, for personnel, equipment, supplies, or travel directly related to the Pew-Stewart scholar’s research and as to best advance his or her research and career.
Not more than 8 percent ($24,000) of the total award value may be allocated for facilities and administration (F&A) charges or indirect costs (IDCs). The amount of the award that may be used for the principal investigator’s salary is limited to $12,500 per year (including benefits) or $50,000 over the duration of the grant. There are no limits on student or postdoctoral salaries.
ELIGIBILITY
One nominee will be selected by BU-BMC Cancer Center.
Candidates must meet all of the following eligibility requirements:
- Hold a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine, or a related field, including engineering or the physical sciences.
- As of Aug. 27, 2025, run an independent lab and hold a full-time appointment at the rank of assistant professor. (Appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible.)
- Current appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible to apply.
- Must not have been appointed as an assistant professor at any institution prior to June 11, 2021, whether or not such an appointment was on a tenure track. Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, in work toward board certification, or on parental leave does not count as part of this four-year limit. Candidates who need an exception on the four-year limit should contact Pew’s program office to ensure that application reviewers are aware an exception has been given.
- Please note that the eligibility criteria above have been temporarily expanded to four years to account for COVID-related lab shutdowns. This extension will end after this upcoming application cycle.
- Beginning next year, the eligibility window for the 2027 grant will revert to the three-year period. Please direct any questions to the program office at scholarsapp@pewtrusts.org.
- May apply to the program a maximum of two times.
- If applicants have appointments at more than one eligible nominating institution or affiliate, they may not reapply in a subsequent year from a different nominating entity.
- May not be nominated for the Pew Scholars Program and the Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research in the same year.
INTERNAL SELECTION
Interested BUMC faculty should submit the following materials listed below combined into a single PDF document via email to Diana Lehman at dlehman@bu.edu by Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
- Letter of recommendation from the appropriate Department Chair or Dean
- One-page summary of proposed project
- Up-to-date biosketch in current NIH format
A faculty committee from the medical campus and Cancer Center will review the internal proposals.
DEADLINES
Internal Materials Due: Tuesday, April 1, 2025
External Materials Due: Wednesday, May 14, 2025