Mission Boost Grants (MBG)

About this program

The American Cancer Society’s Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) program funds basic, translational, clinical, and cancer control research through multiple mechanisms — including Research Scholar and Mission Boost Grants, mentored fellowships, clinician-scientist awards, institutional block grants, and targeted RFAs — with awards ranging from one-year commercialization and pilot grants to multi-year center-level awards (e.g., CHERC). Funding levels and durations vary by mechanism (examples include RSGs up to $215K/year, Mission Boost multi-stage support, and institutional IRGs up to $120K/year); most submissions are managed through ProposalCentral and follow recurring deadlines (commonly June 1 and Dec 1). Eligibility differs by mechanism: many opportunities accept independent investigators at any career stage, RSG applicants must be within 8 years of initial independent appointment, postdoctoral fellowships require ≤3 years of postdoctoral training and appropriate US citizenship/visa status at submission, while clinician-scientist and IRG awards target faculty and institutions respectively; specific RFAs may impose additional requirements (e.g., US–UK PIs). Applicants should consult the individual RFA or mechanism page for budget rules, allowable indirect costs, and LOI requirements.