Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy and ASCO Launch $50K Annual Grant for Early-Career Immunotherapy Researchers

Event summary

  • Parker Institute for Cancer Immunotherapy (PICI) and ASCO will co-fund a $50,000 annual grant for early-career cancer immunotherapy researchers.
  • The Endowed Young Investigator Award (YIA) targets oncologists transitioning from training to faculty appointments.
  • Applications open through Conquer Cancer’s 2026 Grants & Awards Program, with the inaugural recipient announced at the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting.
  • PICI has supported over 1,000 investigators and backed 17 biotech ventures raising over $4B in capital.

The big picture

This collaboration underscores the growing emphasis on nurturing early-career researchers in cancer immunotherapy, a field critical for developing next-generation treatments. By co-funding the YIA, PICI and ASCO aim to sustain a focus on high-risk, high-reward science, aligning with broader industry trends toward collaborative, data-driven research models. The grant’s annual $50,000 commitment, while modest, signals a strategic investment in human capital to drive future innovations.

What we're watching

Pipeline Development
How this grant will impact the long-term pipeline of immunotherapy researchers and their contributions to breakthrough therapies.
Industry Collaboration
Whether PICI’s partnership with ASCO and Conquer Cancer will lead to further joint initiatives in cancer research funding.
Research Output
The pace at which funded researchers translate their work into clinical trials and commercializable treatments.