In every generation, progress in science depends on more than ideas—it depends on bold and brave leaders. At the Cancer Research Institute (CRI), we’ve always believed that the most important investment we can make is in people. That’s why we’re proud to introduce the CRI IGNITE Award: Inspiring Growth and Nurturing Independence Through Excellence.
The CRI IGNITE Award was created as a critical stopgap in the scientific ecosystem: the often difficult transition between postdoctoral training and independent faculty positions.
As E. John Wherry, PhD, an associate director of CRI’s Scientific Advisory Council and co-chair of the CRI IGNITE Award selection committee, explains, “If we don’t protect this next generation of researchers, we risk losing the very people who will drive the discoveries of tomorrow. IGNITE fills this gap and ensures that the best and brightest can thrive.”
This moment of transition has never been more uncertain. With fewer faculty jobs available and institutions growing increasingly cautious about investing in new talent, too many brilliant scientists are being forced out of the pipeline – just as their ideas are ready to come to fruition. Without targeted support, the future of cancer research risks being defined by scarcity and lost opportunity.
The CRI IGNITE Award directly addresses this challenge by providing:
- Up to 2 years of mentored postdoctoral support ($150,000 annually) to solidify training and generate key preliminary data.
- Up to 3 years of faculty support ($250,000 annually) to launch an independent lab, paired with guaranteed institutional commitment in the form of lab space, mentorship, and protected time for research.
This model does more than bridge a funding gap—it builds a foundation for sustainable, long-term careers. Studies have shown that early-career support dramatically increases the likelihood of tenure and long-term productivity. IGNITE is designed to be precisely that kind of catalyst, building on CRI’s longstanding commitment to scientific training and support.
“For decades, CRI has been a steadfast pillar supporting the field of cancer immunotherapy,” said Lewis L. Lanier, PhD, co-chair of the IGNITE Award selection committee. “With IGNITE, CRI continues that legacy, ensuring the next generation of researchers has the foundation to thrive.”
For CRI’s CEO Alicia Zhou, PhD, IGNITE reflects both the urgency of the times, and the path forward. “IGNITE is about more than just funding – it’s about fueling possibility. We’re betting on the next generation of leaders in cancer immunotherapy, giving them the runway to turn bold ideas into breakthroughs that will change how we treat, and ultimately defeat, cancer.”
At CRI, we know that when we invest in people, we invest in the future of science, and ultimately the future of patients everywhere. IGNITE reflects our enduring mission: advancing breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy by empowering the people who will make them possible. Over the past 70 years, CRI’s fellowships and career awards have helped seed an entire field, supporting pioneers whose ideas once seemed impossible but today save lives around the world. IGNITE is the next step in that legacy.
Applications for the inaugural IGNITE Award are due January 9, 2026. For details, visit cancerresearch.org/IGNITE.
