The Pew-Stewart Scholars for Cancer Research supports assistant professors of outstanding promise in science relevant to the advancement of a cure for cancer. The award provides $300,000 in flexible support—$75,000 per year for a four-year period. Wayne State is limited to submit one proposal, and there is an internal process to select a proposal. Please read the following for more detailed information. Concept papers are due by April 21, 2025.

In line with The Alexander and Margaret Stewart Trust’s mission to invest in innovative, cutting-edge cancer research that may accelerate and advance progress toward a cure for cancer, applications are invited from nominees conducting cancer research. Based on their performance during their education and training, candidates should demonstrate outstanding promise as contributors in science relevant to the field of cancer. This program does not fund clinical trials research. Strong proposals will incorporate particularly creative and pioneering approaches to basic, translational, and applied cancer research. Candidates whose work is based on biomedical principles but who bring in concepts and theories from more diverse fields are encouraged to apply.

Ideas with the potential to produce an unusually high impact are encouraged. Selection of the successful candidates will be based on a detailed description of the work that the applicant proposes to undertake, evaluations of the candidate’s performance, and notable past accomplishments, including honors, awards, and publications. In evaluating the candidates, the National Advisory Committee gives considerable weight to both the project proposal and the researcher, including evidence that the candidate is a successful independent investigator and has the skill set needed to carry out their high-impact proposal.

Funding from the NIH, other government sources, and project grants from nonprofit associations do not pose a conflict with the Pew-Stewart program.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have been awarded a doctorate in biomedical sciences, medicine or a related field.
• As of Aug. 27, 2025, nominees must be running an independent lab and hold full-time appointments at the rank of assistant professor or equivalent.
  • Appointments such as research assistant professor, adjunct assistant professor, assistant professor research track, visiting professor, or instructor are not eligible.
• Candidates must not have been appointed as an assistant professor at any institution prior to June 11, 2021. Time spent in clinical internships, residencies, in work toward board certification, or on parental medical leave does not count as part of this four-year limit. Candidates who need an eligibility extension due to leave or other reasons should contact Pew's program office.
• Candidates may apply two times in total.
• Candidates should be conducting creative, interdisciplinary, basic or translational cancer research. This program is not designed to fund clinical trial research.
• If an applicant's university has more than one eligible nominating institution or campus, that applicant may apply frmo only one institution; the applicant may not reapply in a susequent year from a different one.
• Candidates may not be nominated for the Pew Scholars Program and the Pew-Stewart Scholars Program for Cancer Research in the same year.

Funding Terms

An award of $75,000 per year for four years will be provided to the sponsoring institution for use by the Pew-Stewart scholar, subject to annual review of his or her progress. Grant agreements will be issued in August of the award year. The awarded funds may be used at the discretion of the Pew-Stewart scholar, for personnel, equipment, supplies, or travel directly related to the Pew-Stewart scholar's research and as to best advance his or her research and career.

• The amount of the award that may be used for the principal investigator’s salary is limited to $12,500 per year (including benefits) or $50,000 over the duration of the grant. There are no limits on student or postdoctoral salaries.
• Not more than 8 percent ($24,000) of the total award value may be allocated for facilities and administration (F&A) charges or indirect costs (IDCs).
• Should the funds not be immediately required, they may be accumulated and carried over through the grant period and, with written approval of the program office, the grant may receive a no-cost extension for one additional year (without additional funds).
• Subawards are allowed.

Investigator Effort

It is expected that Pew-Stewart scholars will spend at least 80 percent of their time in work or activities related to the accomplishment of their overall research goals (which are not restricted to the specific aims proposed for this award). However, Pew provides flexible support to the general research aims of the Pew-Stewart scholar and does not require effort reporting.

Internal Process

Each university is allowed to nominate one faculty member. If you’re interested in being nominated, please submit a one-page concept with the following elements by Monday, April 21, 2025 ; this concept will be reviewed by the Cancer Center Executive Committee at KCI.

• Your name
• Title and that date you earned this title
• Title of your research
• Discussion of your work, its impact, and how it is novel
• Please list in a sentence or two how you would use the funding

If you have further questions or wish to submit a concept paper:

• Main campus faculty should Jared Mouro, Foundation Relations Specialist, at jmouro@wayne.edu
• For medical faculty, contact Susan Miller, Director of Research Philanthropy, at smiller@med.wayne.edu