Damon Runyon aims to address the critical shortage of physician-scientists in the field of cancer research. By encouraging physicians to pursue research careers, the Foundation seeks to accelerate the translation of scientific discovery into more effective patient therapies, ultimately improving survival and quality of life among cancer patients.
The grant aims to combat the critical shortage of scientists in pediatric cancer research by supporting promising young researchers dedicated to preventing and developing new treatments for childhood cancer. This Award, a collaboration between the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Foundation and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, focuses on both theoretical and experimental research across all aspects of pediatric cancer. It encourages the pursuit of innovative approaches in basic or clinical research that may lead to significant advancements in understanding, diagnosing, preventing, or treating pediatric cancers. Candidates seeking the Damon Runyon-St. Jude Pediatric Cancer Research Fellowship must apply with the mentorship of a Sponsor, who will aid in their research and professional development. The program also offers financial assistance to alleviate up to $100,000 of the Fellow's medical school debt, further supporting their commitment to cancer research.