Deadline: 01-Sep-2026
The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship supports early-career researchers in immunology and cancer immunology, providing three years of financial support, mentorship, and professional development. The program bridges the transition to independent scientific leadership while promoting mechanistic and hypothesis-driven cancer research.
Fellowship Overview
This fellowship fosters innovative studies on the immune system’s role in cancer, emphasizing mechanistic research, skill acquisition, and career trajectory toward independent investigation. Fellows benefit from structured training, mentorship, and access to CRI resources like the Bioinformatics Bootcamp.
Financial Support
- Stipend: $74,000 (Year 1), $76,000 (Year 2), $78,000 (Year 3)
- Host institution allowance: $5,000 per year for research-related expenses (supplies, travel, health insurance, childcare)
- No administrative overhead deductions
Who is Eligible
- Doctoral degree holders by fellowship start
- Conduct research under a sponsor with assistant professor or equivalent at a non-profit institution
- Research must be directly related to immunology or cancer immunology
- Less than five years of mentored research (M.D. applicants may exclude residency)
- Typically, <3 years in the same sponsor’s lab before fellowship start
- Global eligibility; no citizenship restrictions
- Only one applicant per sponsor per round, max three CRI-supported fellows per sponsor
How to Apply / How it Works
- Identify a sponsor at a non-profit institution aligned with cancer immunology research.
- Prepare a detailed research proposal demonstrating innovation and mechanistic focus.
- Outline mentorship plan and skill acquisition goals.
- Submit application through the CRI portal, ensuring compliance with eligibility rules.
- Resubmissions permitted if improvements and progress are clearly addressed.
Tips / Common Mistakes
- Avoid exceeding five years of mentored research experience.
- Ensure the proposed research is mechanistic and hypothesis-driven.
- Confirm sponsor eligibility and institutional requirements.
- Clearly highlight career trajectory toward independent scientific leadership.
FAQs
- What is the duration and stipend? Three years; $74,000, $76,000, $78,000 annually.
- Who can sponsor fellows? Non-profit institution staff at assistant professor level or higher.
- Are there citizenship restrictions? No, the fellowship is open globally.
- Can M.D. applicants count residency toward experience? Residency may be excluded in eligibility calculation.
- Is prior experience in the same lab a limitation? Typically yes, >3 years requires exceptional justification.
- Can sponsors support multiple fellows? Maximum three CRI-supported fellows per sponsor at a time.
- What additional support is provided? Access to CRI Bioinformatics Bootcamp and $5,000 research allowance per year.
Conclusion
The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship empowers early-career researchers worldwide to advance cancer immunology, acquire new skills, and build a pathway toward independent scientific leadership while contributing to mechanistic and innovative research.
For more information, visit CRI.
