Read more about the NCI Research Specialist Award (R50).
View the R50 fact sheetThe Research Specialist Award was developed to encourage research career opportunities in any area of NCI-funded cancer research for exceptional scientists who do not serve as independent investigators. This award is intended to provide salary support and sufficient autonomy so that individuals are not solely dependent on grants held by principal investigators for career continuity.
These scientists are vital to sustaining the biomedical research enterprise and include
- researchers within a research program
- core facility managers
- data scientists
- clinician scientists
Current Noctices of Funding Opportunties (NOFOs) Include
PAR-23-242: NCI Research Specialist (Laboratory-based Scientist) Award (R50 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) invites grant applications for the Research Specialist Award (R50) in any area of NCI-funded cancer research. This NOFO is specifically targeted toward laboratory-based scientists.
Application due date: November 3, 2025
PAR-23-243: NCI Research Specialist (Core-based Scientist) Award (R50 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
This NOFO invites grant applications for the Research Specialist Award (R50) in any area of NCI-funded cancer research. This NOFO is specifically targeted toward core, shared resource, and central scientific support scientists.
Application due date: November 3, 2025
PAR-24-274: NCI Research Specialist (Clinician Scientist) Award (R50 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
This NOFO invites grant applications for the Research Specialist Award (R50) specifically for clinician scientists supporting NCI-funded clinical trials research.
Application due date: November 4, 2025
Visit the NCI Research Specialist Award web page to read testimonials from R50 recipients: https://www.cancer.gov/grants-training/grants-funding/funding-opportunities/r50