AACR Global Scholar-in-Training Awards 2027: Deadline Nov 18, Flights & Hotel Paid
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The AACR Global Scholar-in-Training Awards (GSITA) 2027 send early-career cancer researchers from countries building their research capacity to the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 in Orlando, Florida. This is not a partial travel grant. The AACR books and pays for your round-trip flight and your hotel, gives you free meeting registration, and hands you a stipend card for meals when you arrive. The application deadline was extended to 18 November 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. You also need an abstract control number from the Annual Meeting abstract system before you can apply. Researchers in eligible African countries are considered for the AACR-Amgen award automatically, which adds support to attend the AORTIC International Conference.
Overview
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) runs the GSITA to help promising researchers present their work at one of the largest cancer meetings in the world. It covers basic, clinical, translational and epidemiological cancer research. The awards are merit-based. Reviewers score the quality of your personal statement, your eligibility, your accomplishments, and how much the award would help your career and your home institution. The AACR-Amgen GSITA uses the same application and the same rules. The only difference is that it also supports attendance at the AORTIC International Conference, run by the African Organisation for Research and Training in Cancer. Applications opened on 28 September 2026 and are submitted through the Applications/Awards tab of your myAACR account. Winners are told by email in January 2027. Previous recipients of the GSITA, AACR-Amgen GSITA or the African Cancer Research Travel Award cannot apply again. Questions go to the AACR award team listed on the official page. If your work is outside cancer research, our grants category lists other conference and research funding.
Eligibility Requirements
- Early-career cancer researcher working in a country on the AACR GSITA eligible-country list
- Student or Associate Member of the AACR in good standing, with membership current through 2026
- Nonmembers should have applied for membership at least one month before the original 10 November deadline; late membership requests may not be processed in time
- You must have started an abstract submission to the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 and hold its control number
- Late-breaking abstracts are not eligible
- Previous GSITA, AACR-Amgen GSITA and African Cancer Research Travel Award recipients are not eligible
- Applicants from eligible African countries are automatically considered for the AACR-Amgen GSITA; no separate form
Benefits
- Complimentary round-trip airfare, booked through the AACR travel agency (Corporate Traveler)
- Hotel accommodation for the official meeting dates, reserved and paid for by the AACR at a hotel it selects
- Free registration for the AACR Annual Meeting 2027, processed by the AACR
- A stipend for meals and other eligible travel costs, given as a gift card when you arrive at the meeting
- An informal interview with AACR staff and a visit to a local research institution after the meeting
- AACR-Amgen recipients from Africa also get support to attend the AORTIC International Conference
Application Process
- 1Check that your country is on the official GSITA eligible-country list
- 2Confirm your AACR Student or Associate membership is active through 2026
- 3Start your abstract submission for the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 and copy the control number it generates
- 4Download and complete the AACR Biosketch template
- 5Get the Institution Certification Form signed by your institution and save it as a PDF
- 6Write your personal statement, covering your research and career goals and how you will share what you learn at home
- 7Log in to myAACR, open the Applications/Awards tab and submit the GSITA application before 18 November 2026, 11:59 pm ET
- 8Watch your email in January 2027. If selected, get your US visa and book flights with the AACR travel agency at least one month before the meeting
Required Documents
- Abstract title, abstract body and abstract control number
- Completed AACR Biosketch (the official template, not a general CV)
- Personal statement: research interests, reasons for attending and long-term career goals
- Plan for sharing the knowledge gained with your institution, colleagues and local research community
- Institution Certification Form, uploaded as a PDF through myAACR
Deadline
Application deadline (extended): 18 November 2026, 11:59 pm ET. Applications opened 28 September 2026. Results by email in January 2027. Visa and flight bookings must be completed at least one month before the Annual Meeting or the award is forfeited.
Visit Official WebsiteFrequently Asked Questions
Does the AACR GSITA pay for flights and hotel?
Yes. The AACR pays for round-trip airfare booked through its travel agency, pays for your hotel for the official meeting dates, gives free registration, and provides a stipend gift card for meals.
When is the AACR GSITA 2027 deadline?
The deadline was extended to 18 November 2026 at 11:59 pm ET. Apply through the Applications/Awards tab in myAACR.
Do I need a separate application for the AACR-Amgen award?
No. Eligible applicants from Africa who apply for the GSITA are considered for the AACR-Amgen GSITA automatically.
Can I apply without submitting an abstract?
No. You need the control number created when you start an abstract submission for the AACR Annual Meeting 2027. Late-breaking abstracts do not qualify.
What happens if I cannot get a visa in time?
You must finish your visa and flight arrangements at least one month before the meeting. If you do not, the award is forfeited, and you may have to pay back nonrefundable costs if you cancel.
Conclusion
If you are an early-career cancer researcher in an eligible country, this is one of the few awards that removes almost every cost of presenting at a top global meeting. The work is in the paperwork: start your abstract today to get your control number, get the Institution Certification Form signed early, and submit before 18 November 2026. If you win, apply for your US visa immediately. Missing the one-month travel cut-off cancels the award. Apply only through the official AACR site; it never charges an application fee.