PICI, ASCO Unite to Fund Next-Gen Immunotherapy Leaders

SAN FRANCISCO, CA – January 28, 2026 – In a strategic move to bolster the future of cancer research, the Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) today announced a major collaboration with the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and its foundation, Conquer Cancer. The partnership establishes a new Endowed Young Investigator Award (YIA) dedicated to advancing the field of immunotherapy.

The initiative will provide a $50,000 grant annually to a promising oncologist transitioning from training to a faculty position. This funding is designed to empower early-career investigators to pursue high-impact clinical research in immunotherapy, a field that has revolutionized cancer treatment.

"We're excited to work with ASCO and Conquer Cancer to support the development of future leaders in cancer immunotherapy who will be the driving force behind breakthrough therapies that will accelerate our mission to make all cancers curable," said Karen Knudsen, MBA, Ph.D., CEO of PICI. "Delivering new treatments to patients starts with high-quality research and clinical trials. Early-career scientists who are eager to do this work are essential to advancing the kind of breakthroughs that ultimately lead to transformative new medicines."

Applications for the inaugural award will be accepted through the Conquer Cancer 2026 Grants & Awards Program, with the first recipient to be announced at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting.

"Our commitment at Conquer Cancer is to ensure that we have an always growing pipeline of enthusiastic, passionate, and supported, early-career investigators who are going to dedicate decades of their lives to making cancer care better," stated Clifford A. Hudis, MD, FACP, FASCO, CEO of ASCO and executive vice chair of Conquer Cancer. "Through this endowment, we will sustain a long-term focus on immunotherapy research."

Addressing a Critical Career Juncture

This new award arrives at a crucial moment for both the field of oncology and the scientists within it. The transition from a fellowship program to a full-time faculty appointment is widely recognized as a precarious stage in a researcher's career. During this period, young investigators must secure funding to establish their own labs and launch independent research projects, often competing for grants against more established scientists with extensive publication records.

While numerous funding mechanisms exist, including prestigious grants from the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and foundations like Damon Runyon, awards specifically targeting this transitional phase are vital. The Young Investigator Award model, which Conquer Cancer has successfully employed since 1984, provides essential seed money. This $50,000 grant can provide protected time for research, cover lab expenses, and help generate the preliminary data necessary to compete for larger, multi-year grants.

The PICI-backed award is distinguished by its exclusive focus on immunotherapy. This specificity acknowledges that while immunotherapy has produced remarkable results, the field is still maturing. Researchers are actively working to understand complex challenges, such as why some patients develop resistance to treatment and how to manage immune-related adverse events. By dedicating funds to this area, the partnership aims to cultivate a new generation of specialists equipped to tackle these intricate problems and unlock the full potential of immune-based therapies.

A Collaborative Blueprint for Acceleration

The partnership itself represents a powerful new model for advancing medical research. It combines the strengths of three distinct but complementary organizations: PICI's agile, venture-philanthropy approach; Conquer Cancer's deep-rooted expertise in grant administration and researcher development; and ASCO's unparalleled position as the world's leading professional organization for oncologists.

Founded in 2016 by Silicon Valley entrepreneur Sean Parker, PICI operates with a mission to accelerate the development of breakthrough immune therapies. It functions differently from traditional research models by uniting top cancer centers, funding high-risk science, and actively pushing innovations through clinical testing and commercialization. With a portfolio that includes 17 biotech ventures, PICI has demonstrated a knack for bridging the gap between discovery and patient access.

By joining forces with Conquer Cancer and ASCO, PICI leverages an established and respected infrastructure. Conquer Cancer's Grants & Awards program has been a pillar of the oncology community for over four decades, distributing more than $203 million to over 9,800 researchers globally. This collaboration allows PICI to tap into a proven system for identifying and nurturing top-tier talent, ensuring their investment has maximum impact. This synergy—combining PICI's disruptive, goal-oriented funding with Conquer Cancer's robust, time-tested framework—creates a blueprint for how philanthropic drive and institutional stability can unite to accelerate progress.

The Enduring Investment in Immunotherapy's Promise

A key feature of the new award is its status as an "endowment." Unlike a one-time donation or a grant dependent on annual fundraising, an endowment provides a permanent, self-sustaining source of funding. This ensures that the PICI Young Investigator Award will be offered in perpetuity, creating a lasting legacy of support for immunotherapy research, insulated from economic fluctuations or shifting priorities. This long-term commitment reflects a deep-seated belief in the enduring potential of the field.

Immunotherapy is no longer a niche area of study; it is a central pillar of modern cancer care. However, the field is constantly evolving. Current research extends far beyond the initial checkpoint inhibitors to include sophisticated cell therapies like CAR-T, personalized neoantigen vaccines, and strategies to reprogram the tumor microenvironment. Sustaining momentum in these advanced areas requires a continuous influx of bright minds and dedicated resources.

The endowed nature of this grant signals a strategic, long-term investment in the human capital that will drive the next wave of innovation. By guaranteeing this support year after year, the partner organizations are not just funding individual projects; they are building a stable pipeline of future leaders. These are the scientists who will spend their careers refining existing treatments, discovering novel therapeutic pathways, and ultimately bringing the mission of making all cancers curable closer to reality. This sustained focus is critical for tackling the long-term challenges of cancer and ensuring that the breakthroughs of tomorrow are continuously being cultivated today.