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Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation

Annual Giving
$20.0M
Grant Range
$300K - $0.8M
Decision Time
4mo
Success Rate
10%

Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: $20-22.5 million
  • Success Rate: Less than 10%
  • Decision Time: 3-6 months (varies by program)
  • Grant Range: $300,000 - $800,000 (multi-year awards)
  • Geographic Focus: United States (research must be conducted in U.S. institutions)

Contact Details

Website: https://www.damonrunyon.org/

Main Office: New York, NY

For Scientists: https://www.damonrunyon.org/for-scientists/

Application Portal: Proposal Central

Overview

Founded in 1946 after sportswriter Damon Runyon died of throat cancer, the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation has invested over $490 million to fund more than 4,000 scientists. Legally known as the Cancer Research Fund of the Damon Runyon-Walter Winchell Foundation (EIN: 13-1933825), the organization is singularly focused on high-risk, high-reward cancer research by exceptional early-career scientists. Led by President and CEO Dr. Yung S. Lie—the first scientist and Damon Runyon alumna to lead the organization—the Foundation has supported twelve Nobel Prize laureates and pioneered breakthroughs including the first cure of a solid tumor with chemotherapy, the first cure of late-stage cancer with immunotherapy, and the development of CRISPR gene editing tools. The Foundation recently pledged over $22.5 million in new grants to 71 scientists in 2024, including inaugural cohorts of Damon Runyon-St. Jude Pediatric Cancer Research Fellows and postbaccalaureate SPARK Scholars.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Damon Runyon Fellowship Award: $300,000 over four years (stipends increase annually from $70,000 to $76,000, plus $2,000 annual expense allowance and $1,000 per child dependent allowance). Annual deadline: March 16. Apply through Proposal Central.

Damon Runyon Clinical Investigator Award: $600,000 over three years ($200,000/year) plus up to $100,000 in medical school debt repayment. For physician-scientists within first four years of faculty appointment. Annual deadline: January 20. Institutional nomination required (maximum three per institution). Apply through Proposal Central.

Damon Runyon-Rachleff Innovation Award: $400,000 initially (two years at $200,000/year) with potential for two additional years ($800,000 total). For exceptionally creative "high-risk/high-reward" ideas. Annual deadline: July 1. Can apply maximum of two times. Apply through Proposal Central.

Damon Runyon Physician-Scientist Training Award: $460,000 over four years (increasing annually from $100,000 to $130,000) plus up to $100,000 in medical school debt retirement. Annual deadline: December 2. Apply through Proposal Central.

Damon Runyon-St. Jude Pediatric Cancer Research Fellowship Award: Provides funding for early career scientists conducting pediatric cancer research with potential to significantly impact prevention, diagnosis, or treatment.

Damon Runyon Quantitative Biology Fellowship Award: For postdoctoral scientists applying quantitative approaches to cancer research.

Damon Runyon-Scholars Program for Advancing Research and Knowledge (SPARK): For postbaccalaureate scholars demonstrating commitment to research careers. Annual deadline: February 2. Apply through Proposal Central.

Damon Runyon-Dale F. Frey Award for Breakthrough Scientists: Additional $100,000 investment for Damon Runyon Fellows who exceed the Foundation's highest expectations.

Priority Areas

  • Cancer research across all types (no restrictions by cancer type)
  • Basic bench science through clinical trials
  • Immunotherapy and precision medicine approaches
  • Genomic research and novel diagnostic tools
  • Prevention, diagnosis, and treatment innovations
  • High-risk, high-reward research with transformative potential
  • Interdisciplinary and collaborative approaches
  • Research lacking preliminary data but with exceptional innovation potential

What They Don't Fund

  • Direct extensions of graduate work (in approach, technique, or exact area of study)
  • Research by candidates holding or awarded NIH K awards at time of application (for Fellowship Award)
  • Indirect costs or institutional overhead
  • Incremental advances rather than innovative breakthroughs
  • Research conducted outside the United States (with rare exceptions for U.S. citizens under special circumstances)

Governance and Leadership

President and CEO: Dr. Yung S. Lie, PhD. Dr. Lie is the first scientist and Damon Runyon alumna to lead the organization since its founding. Appointed in December 2018, she previously served as Deputy Director and Chief Scientific Officer. Under her leadership, the Foundation has selected over 550 new award recipients, representing an investment of $140 million. Dr. Lie states: "As a former Damon Runyon Fellow myself, I am passionate about our mission to support exceptional early career investigators to accelerate breakthroughs in cancer research."

Board Chair: Deborah J. Coleman, who succeeded Alan Leventhal (Board Chair from February 2010).

Notable Board Members:

  • Steven A. Kandarian, Chairman, President and CEO (Retired) of MetLife, Inc.
  • Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer at SiriusXM
  • Richard Hoffman, Partner at Goodwin Proctor LLP
  • Nat Turner
  • Judy Swanson

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

All applications must be submitted through Proposal Central by 4:00 PM Eastern Time on the respective deadlines. Hard copies or emailed applications are not accepted. The Foundation provides informational sessions to help applicants understand programs and application processes.

Application Requirements:

  • Detailed research proposal demonstrating importance of the problem, originality of approach, appropriateness of techniques, and clarity of presentation
  • Strong sponsor/mentor letters evaluating candidate qualifications and potential for independent cancer research
  • Reference letters from individuals who can assess research potential
  • Personal and career statements (especially for SPARK program)
  • Demonstration of mentor's track record
  • Detailed training plan

Eligibility Generally Requires:

  • MD, PhD, MD/PhD, DDS, DVM, or DO degree (or equivalent)
  • Research conducted at U.S. institutions
  • No U.S. citizenship requirement (foreign candidates welcome but must work in U.S.)

Decision Timeline

Fellowship Award:

  • Application Deadline: March 16
  • Decision notifications: Typically 3-4 months after deadline

Clinical Investigator Award:

  • Application Deadline: January 20
  • Notification of Finalists: March
  • Finalist Interviews: May 1
  • Funding Begins: July 1

Rachleff Innovation Award:

  • Application Deadline: July 1
  • Notification of Finalists: October
  • Finalist Interviews: November 12
  • Funding Begins: January 1

Physician-Scientist Training Award:

  • Application Deadline: December 2
  • Decision timeline: Similar to Fellowship Award (3-4 months)

Success Rates

The Foundation's award programs are extremely competitive, with less than 10% of applications funded. This reflects the Foundation's commitment to identifying only the most exceptional scientists with the most innovative ideas. Since 1946, the Foundation has funded over 4,000 scientists from tens of thousands of applications.

Reapplication Policy

Physician-Scientist Training Award: Eligible candidates may apply up to two times.

Rachleff Innovation Award: Candidates can apply a maximum of two times.

Other Programs: The Foundation does not share reviewers' written comments. Reapplication policies for other award programs are not explicitly stated on public materials; contact the Foundation directly for guidance.

Application Success Factors

Research Proposal Quality is Paramount: The Foundation evaluates "the importance of the problem, originality of approach, appropriateness of techniques and clarity of presentation." Proposals must demonstrate how research aligns with the Foundation's goals: understanding cancer causes and mechanisms, and developing more effective therapies and prevention.

Demonstrate Novelty and Expansion: "Direct extensions of the candidate's graduate work (in approach, technique or exact area of study) will not be funded." The proposed research must represent a new opportunity to expand scientific skill sets. As Dr. Lie emphasizes, the Foundation seeks scientists willing to "take risks" and "explore novel ideas."

Show High-Risk, High-Reward Potential: Unlike traditional funders, Damon Runyon actively seeks bold, creative approaches that may lack preliminary data. For the Innovation Award specifically, evaluation focuses on "the applicant's capacity for bold, creative research" and "novelty of proposed research."

Strong Mentor/Sponsor Relationships: Applications require sponsor letters that evaluate not just the research project, but "the candidate's potential for successful independent cancer research." The training environment's quality and the mentor's track record are critical evaluation criteria.

Commitment to Research Career: Especially for the SPARK Program, "special attention is paid to the personal and career statements submitted as part of the application package. These statements should reflect a deep passion for exploring new horizons in research and a clear articulation of how SPARK aligns with the applicant's short and long-term educational and professional goals."

Breadth of Impact: The Foundation "doesn't restrict funding by cancer type, and funds very broadly, from basic bench science all the way to clinical trials." Applications should demonstrate potential for significant impact regardless of specific cancer focus.

Recent Funded Projects Include:

  • Alex M. Jaeger, PhD (2024): Engineering approaches to exploit MHC-II antigen presentation in cancer
  • Zibo Chen, PhD (2024): Protein-based molecular programming for cancer immunotherapy
  • Carissa Chan, PhD (2025): Research on gamma delta T cells
  • Professor Meghan Morrissey (2025): Innovation Award recipient

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Extreme selectivity: With less than 10% success rate, applications must demonstrate truly exceptional innovation and potential—incremental advances will not be competitive.
  • Novel approaches essential: Do not apply if your proposed research is a direct extension of your graduate work; the Foundation requires demonstrable expansion of your scientific skill set.
  • High-risk is welcomed: Unlike traditional funders, Damon Runyon actively seeks "high-risk/high-reward" research; lack of preliminary data is not disqualifying if the innovative potential is clear.
  • Mentor matters immensely: Invest significant effort in securing a mentor with an exceptional track record who can write a compelling evaluation of your independent research potential.
  • No cancer type restrictions: You can apply regardless of which cancer type you study; the Foundation funds broadly across all cancer research areas.
  • Financial benefits beyond the grant: Several awards include medical school debt repayment up to $100,000—a significant additional benefit for physician-scientists.
  • Career trajectory impact: 98% of fellows report positive career impact, and 68% accept academic positions (75% tenure-track assistant professorships), demonstrating the award's career-changing potential.

References

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