Deadline: 10 December 2025
The American Brain Tumor Association is seeking applications for its ABTA Basic Research Fellowship Program to support both established and new scientists in discovering more about the causes, effects, diagnosis, and treatment of brain tumors.
The focus areas include Biomarkers of Risk, Disease Burden, and/or Treatment Response; Brain Tumor Biology; Clinical Research; Diagnosis; Drug Delivery; Etiology; Genetics; Imaging; Molecular/Genetic Epidemiology; Novel Therapeutics; and Risk Assessment.
An independent, multi-level external review process ensures that ABTA grants are awarded to the most meritorious brain tumor research projects. Through its funding initiatives, the ABTA supports innovative discovery science that enhances understanding of the causes, effects, diagnosis, and treatment of brain tumors.
The program also funds projects developing new drugs, imaging techniques, and advanced diagnostic methods, as well as research aimed at improving the quality of life for brain tumor patients and caregivers.
The ABTA Basic Research Fellowship provides up to $100,000 over two years to postdoctoral fellows embarking on careers in brain tumor research. These grants support basic and translational projects that hold significant potential to advance the understanding of brain tumor biology, causes, and treatments.
The fellowship offers direct cost funding for salary, equipment, supplies, and travel related to the research project, including participation in the ABTA National Conference. Indirect costs, tuition, and visa expenses are not supported.
The program seeks to encourage talented early-career scientists to enter or remain in the field, ensuring a continuum of dedicated and well-trained researchers who will emerge as future leaders in brain tumor research.
Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DrPH, DO, or equivalent) and be within five years post-completion of their degree or residency at the time of full application submission.
Applicants must not hold a faculty appointment, must be working at the mentor’s institution, and must dedicate at least 75% effort to the proposed project. The fellowship requires a Lead Mentor—an experienced brain tumor researcher with a full-time faculty appointment—and allows an optional Co-Mentor to provide complementary expertise.
The Letter of Intent (LOI) process identifies high-potential projects before full applications are invited. Applicants must include required documents such as biosketches, mentor letters of support, and a concise project narrative describing the hypothesis, aims and impact.
The LOI is reviewed based on research significance, scientific merit, feasibility, investigator qualifications, and career development potential. Successful applicants will demonstrate a strong commitment to brain tumor research and present a clear plan for scientific and professional growth.
For more information, visit ABTA.
