Cancer Research Funding Opportunities  

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center offers access to competitive grants, fellowships, and awards that support our investigators at every stage. Explore our currently available opportunities:

Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Cancer Program Award

Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center invites applications from all departments within UIHC to apply for an Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) research award which benefits cancer patients diagnosed between 13 to 39 years of age. AYA research awards will be available for submission bi-annually in the fall and spring. Spring deadline: Noon, Monday, May 4, 2026 

AYA Award Guidelines Spring 2026

AYA Award Spring 2026 Application

Questions? Contact michelle-altmaier@uiowa.edu.

Vere D. Wenger Travel Awards

The Holden Comprehensive Cancer Center Vere D. Wenger Travel Awards help offset partial travel expenses for University of Iowa faculty and staff from all colleges and disciplines—including the humanities, law, medicine, and the natural and social sciences—who present papers at conferences or attend professional meetings that advance cancer knowledge or enhance the well-being of cancer patients. These funds are intended for researchers who lack other sources of travel funding. Applications must be submitted and approved before the meeting. Awards may be used for travel to all locations in accordance with University of Iowa travel policies and may also be applied toward registration costs for virtual conferences and meetings.

The leaders of the cancer center’s three formal research programs make the decisions regarding the allocation of these funds. Members, trainees, and staff seeking travel support to attend cancer-related meetings should direct inquiries to the program leadership most closely aligned with the research topic. Holden leadership is available to assist applicants who are unsure which program to contact.

The following will be required before requests will be funded:

  • Information on the dates, location, and sponsorship of the meeting

  • A letter of acceptance of the paper and/or a program listing the presentation

  • An abstract of the paper

Please contact tami-thompson@uiowa.edu with questions.