Top Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Research
The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program offers an elite postdoctoral fellowship for early-career scientists committed to advancing Cancer Research and immunology. Designed as a transformative fellowship opportunity for life science graduates, this globally recognized program empowers researchers with funding, mentorship, and training to become future leaders in cancer immunology at world-class institutions.
About the Cancer Research Institute Irvington
The Cancer Research Institute Irvington is a globally respected organization dedicated to advancing immunology and accelerating breakthroughs in Cancer Research. Through its fellowship programs, CRI has supported generations of scientists whose discoveries have reshaped cancer immunotherapy. The institute fosters a collaborative, innovation-driven environment that empowers fellows to lead transformative research worldwide.
Fellowship Details:
- Fellowship Title: CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Field: Immunology and Cancer Immunology
- Level: Postdoctoral
- Duration: 3 years
Top Postdoctoral Fellowship Overview
The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is one of the most prestigious training opportunities in immunology and cancer immunology. The program supports outstanding early-career researchers at leading universities and research institutions worldwide, providing the financial resources, mentorship, and professional development necessary to launch independent scientific careers at the forefront of discovery.
Focus and Scope
For decades, CRI fellowships have served as a training ground for scientific excellence, cultivating future leaders who push the boundaries of immunology and transform the landscape of cancer research. The program offers sustained financial support and targeted professional development, bridging the critical transition from doctoral training to independent investigation.
Applications undergo a rigorous peer-review process, with careful consideration of:
- The candidate’s qualifications, demonstrated track record, and potential for future impact
- The strength of the sponsor and the quality of the training environment
- The significance, innovation, and feasibility of the proposed research
The program emphasizes training through research, supporting hypothesis-driven, mechanistic studies in both fundamental immunology and tumor immunology. Applicants and sponsors are expected to demonstrate:
- How the proposed research advances understanding of the immune system’s role in cancer
- How the fellowship will provide new skills, approaches, and mentorship to expand the fellow’s expertise
- A clear trajectory toward independence, with training experiences designed to prepare the fellow for leadership roles in science
A Legacy of Excellence
The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship has a distinguished record of nurturing scientists whose discoveries have reshaped immunology and cancer immunotherapy. Awardees join a global network of innovators and mentors, gaining recognition and support to pursue ambitious research that drives the next generation of breakthroughs.
Financial Support
Fellowships provide three years of support, including:
- Stipend:
- Year 1: $74,000
- Year 2: $76,000
- Year 3: $78,000
- Institutional Allowance: $5,000 per year to the host institution for research supplies, conference travel, health insurance, or childcare (at the sponsor’s discretion)
Additional benefits include:
- Dedicated support to attend the CRI Bioinformatics Bootcamp
- No deductions for administrative overhead from either the stipend or institutional allowance
Eligibility For Top Postdoctoral Fellowship
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Hold a doctoral degree by the date of award activation
- Conduct research under a sponsor with a formal appointment as Assistant Professor or higher at the host institution
- Propose research directly related to immunology or cancer immunology
- Have fewer than 5 years of mentored research experience at the time of award activation
- For M.D. applicants, years of residency are excluded
- Use the doctoral degree conferral date when calculating eligibility
Additional eligibility notes:
- Only in exceptional circumstances will applicants with 3 or more years in the sponsor’s lab by the fellowship start date be considered
- Research may be conducted in the United States or abroad at a non-profit institution
- There are no citizenship restrictions
- Only one fellow per sponsor may apply per round
- Sponsors may not have more than three CRI-supported fellows at any time
Resubmissions
Applicants may resubmit at a subsequent deadline provided the application reflects progress. Changes should be clearly addressed in the new submission.
Deadlines and Award Activation
- Application deadlines: March 1 and September 1 annually
- If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, applications are due the following business day
- Notifications are sent approximately 10–12 weeks after the deadline
- Fellowships may be activated:
- As early as 4 months after the application deadline
- No later than 1 year after the deadline
- Awards activate on the first day of the month
Instructions for Applying
Applications must be submitted through CRI’s Application Portal, which includes institutional signatures and certification via DocuSign.
Supporting Materials
All required materials must be uploaded individually as PDF files in the online application system.
Required Documents for Top Postdoctoral Fellowship
- Applicant background and research accomplishments (max 500 words)
- Description of training goals, skill gaps, and how the fellowship will address them (max 250 words)
- List of other funding sources applied for or planned (with due dates)
- Applicant CV and bibliography (NIH biosketch preferred)*
- Project summary describing relevance to cancer immunology (max 500 words)
- Non-technical research abstract for a lay audience (max 250 words)
- Specific aims (max 500 words)
- Concise research proposal (background, significance, materials and methods; max 4 pages, excluding references)*
- Sponsor letter describing qualifications, training plan, supervision, authorship, and data provenance*
- Sponsor CV/biosketch and current research support (NIH biosketch preferred)*
- Two letters of recommendation (one from thesis advisor; sponsor may not submit)*
*Submitted as a PDF
Important Notes
- Applications are not considered complete until all signatories have signed via DocuSign
- Applications exceeding page limits will be disqualified
- Only PDF files are accepted
- Incomplete applications will not be reviewed
- Letters of recommendation should be uploaded by the applicant when possible; alternatively, referees may email PDFs to [email protected] (include applicant name and application ID)
- Letters should be scanned in grayscale, max 300 dpi
- All attached documents must be single-spaced, 12-point font or larger.
