CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026
Dreaming of a global research career in immunology and cancer biology? The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship 2026 is one of the most prestigious opportunities designed for aspiring Cancer Research Scientists. This program provides exceptional funding, mentorship, and international exposure, making it a top-tier opportunity for life science graduates aiming to lead breakthroughs in cancer immunotherapy and biomedical research.
About CRI Irvington
The Cancer Research Institute (CRI) is a globally renowned organization dedicated to advancing cancer immunotherapy research. The CRI Irvington fellowship program has a legacy of nurturing world-class scientists who contribute significantly to cancer research breakthroughs. It offers an unmatched opportunity for life science graduates to gain international exposure and mentorship.
Fellowship Program Details:
- Fellowship Program Name: CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
- Funding: Up to $78,000/Year
- Focus Area: Immunology & Cancer Research
- Application Deadlines:
- March 2, 2026
- September 1, 2026
Program Overview
The CRI Irvington Postdoctoral Fellowship Program is recognized as one of the most prestigious training opportunities in immunology and cancer immunology. It supports exceptional early-career researchers at leading global institutions by providing financial support, mentorship, and professional development to help them transition into independent scientific careers.
Program Focus & Scope
- The fellowship emphasizes hypothesis-driven and mechanistic research in both fundamental immunology and tumor immunology. It is designed to cultivate future scientific leaders who contribute to advancing the understanding of the immune system and its role in cancer.
- Applications are evaluated through a rigorous peer-review process based on:
- Candidate qualifications, research track record, and future potential
- Strength of the sponsor and quality of the training environment
- Innovation, significance, and feasibility of the proposed research
- The program expects applicants and sponsors to demonstrate:
- The impact of the proposed research on cancer immunology
- Opportunities for skill development and mentorship
- A clear pathway toward scientific independence and leadership
Financial Support
Duration: 3 years
Stipend:
- Year 1: $74,000
- Year 2: $76,000
- Year 3: $78,000
Additional Support:
- $5,000 annual institutional allowance for research expenses, travel, health insurance, or childcare
- Access to CRI Bioinformatics Bootcamp
Note: Administrative overhead deductions are not permitted
Eligibility Criteria
- Applicants must hold a doctoral degree before fellowship activation
- Research must be conducted under a qualified sponsor (Assistant Professor or higher)
- Research focus must be directly related to immunology or cancer immunology
- Applicants must have less than 5 years of mentored research experience (exceptions apply for M.D. candidates)
- Typically, applicants with more than 3 years in the same sponsor’s lab are rarely considered
- Fellowship must be conducted at a non-profit institution (globally)
- No citizenship restrictions
- Only one applicant per sponsor per round; sponsors may not supervise more than three CRI fellows simultaneously
- Resubmissions are allowed with significant improvements
Application Timeline
- Deadlines: March 1 and September 1 annually
- Submission Time: 11:59 PM (Eastern Time)
- Decision Notification: Within 10–12 weeks
- Fellowship Activation:
- Earliest: 4 months after deadline
- Latest: Within 1 year
- Start Date: First day of the month
Application Process
Applicants must submit their application through the CRI Application Portal, ensuring all institutional approvals and signatures are completed via DocuSign.
Required Documents
- Applicant background and research accomplishments (max 500 words)
- Training goals and skill development plan (max 250 words)
- List of other funding applications
- Curriculum Vitae and bibliography (NIH biosketch preferred)
- Research summary (max 500 words)
- Non-technical abstract (max 250 words)
- Specific aims (max 500 words)
- Full research proposal (max 4 pages, excluding references)
- Sponsor letter and sponsor CV/biosketch
- Two letters of recommendation (one from thesis advisor)
Key Notes
- Applications must be complete, including all signatures, to be considered
- Only PDF documents are accepted
- Strict adherence to page limits and formatting guidelines is required
- Early submission is strongly recommended to avoid disqualification due to incomplete applications
Program Impact
The CRI Irvington Fellowship has a long-standing legacy of supporting researchers whose work has significantly advanced immunology and cancer immunotherapy. Fellows gain access to a global network of experts, positioning them to lead future breakthroughs in the field.
