Irish Cancer Society Clinician Research Development Fellowship 2026

The Irish Cancer Society wishes to invite eligible Non-Consultant Hospital Doctors (NCHDs) training in any oncology-related discipline*, to submit an application for the Irish Cancer Society’s Clinician Research Development Fellowship 2026.  

The purpose of this award is to provide the opportunity for NCHDs to develop cancer research experience. This is intended to be a transformative investment for a clinician who has already demonstrated that they are passionate about conducting active, patient-focused cancer research, but needs the extra support to enable them to accelerate their trajectory to leading and directing research based in the Republic of Ireland. 

The ideal candidate:

• is an NCHD at an early stage of their career
• is based in the Republic of Ireland
• is conducting training in a cancer-related discipline
• is enrolled on a HST scheme affiliated with a Postgraduate Training Body (or conducting an equivalent parallel training path)
• has the desire and potential to become a future leader in cancer research in Ireland

This award applies to the below research themes:

1. Translational Biomedical Research can be defined as ‘bench to bedside’ or patient-focused biomedical research, the aim of which is to translate existing knowledge about cancer biology into techniques and tools that will accelerate progress towards patient treatment. Research in this area will build upon basic biological discoveries and improves their Translational Biomedical potential through pre-clinical studies. Much of the outputs of Translational Biomedical research naturally merge into Clinical research, the next area of focus. Please note, applications in drug design, SAR (structure–activity relationship) analysis, drug screening or basic biomedical research will not be considered at this time.
2. Clinical Research involves carefully designed studies in people to evaluate the safety, effectiveness, and benefits of new approaches to cancer treatment and care. For example, clinical research may investigate whether a new medicine can improve survival outcomes for individuals with a particular type of cancer. In addition to funding Investigational Medicinal Product (IMP) trials, the Irish Cancer Society is committed to supporting high-quality non-IMP clinical research. The Society welcomes applications for non-drug-based trials that have the potential to improve cancer outcomes, patient experiences, and quality of care. Eligible areas of research for non-IMP trials include, but are not limited to, diagnostics, digital health and other technologies, radiotherapy, surgery, psycho-oncology, exercise and physical activity, nutrition, supportive care interventions, and multidisciplinary approaches that combine multiple treatment or care modalities.
3. Survivorship Research seeks to improve the care and outcomes experienced by people affected by cancer, through person-centred research methods. Studies should yield person-centred data, and can include research such as prevention/screening incidence and behaviour; psycho-social or physical long term effects of cancer and its treatment; quality and experience of treatment and care (including palliative and end-of-life care); self-management and health behaviour; health literacy and information; genetic risk and counselling; physical and practical needs of people living with cancer or those who care for them (e.g. financial, employment, accessibility). Survivorship research does not include in-vitro or ex-vivo methods (i.e. studying cancer cells or tumour tissue outside a living organism), or in-vivo methods (i.e., studying cancer cells or tumour tissue within a living experimental model)

Applications must be completed and submitted through the Irish Cancer Society’s new online grant management system. To submit an online application, you are required to register at the following address: https://irishcancersociety.optimytool.com/en.

Milestones:

• Thursday, 23rd July 2026; Grant Call Opens
• Wednesday, 19th August at 3pm; Application Deadline
• August / September 2026; Review of Applications
• October 2026; Award Announced
• December 2026; Earliest Grant Start

Please Note: the above dates are provisional and subject to change at the discretion of the Irish Cancer Society. Shortlisted applicants must be available to attend an interview (online) to be considered for this award. 

For any questions about this call, please email grants@irishcancer.ie .