Research We Fund: Extramural Discovery Science

FAQs: ACS Extramural Discovery Science and Grant Application Submissions

Extramural Discovery Science (EDS) has 3 scientific programs with 14 peer review committees (PRCs) that cover the cancer research continuum.

What are the 3 EDS Scientific Programs?

Our Scientific Programs:

  • Biochemistry and Immunology of Cancer Research
  • Cell Biology and Preclinical Cancer Research
  • Clinical and Cancer Control Research

What happens if I select a Scientific Program that isn’t the best fit for my proposal? 

While your selection helps guide the sorting of applications, we determine the final placement within PRCs to ensure that it's been assigned to the most appropriate one. You'll receive an acknowledgment letter after the application deadline indicating which PRC will review your application.

I’m resubmitting my application. Should I list my previous peer review committee or a new one?

Please use the committee code from your previous submission, even if that committee no longer exists. We’ll assign the application to the PRC with the appropriate expertise. Note that you’ll also need to select the EDS scientific program that’s associated with your selected PRC.
Example: Your application was previously reviewed by Cancer Drug Discovery (CDD), so you should list CDD in ProposalCentral as the previous committee. You also need to select the scientific program Cell Biology and Preclinical Cancer Research.

When are Institutional Research Grant (IRG) applications accepted?

The deadline for IRG applications is April 1.  The review of IRGs is managed by the Clinical and Cancer Control Research Program.

I am not eligible based on the grant policies, but I have experienced extenuating circumstances. How do I request an extension to my eligibility?

Send a request for an evaluation of eligibility and any questions to grant.eligibility@cancer.org by:

  • September 1 for Fall applications
  • February 15 for Spring applications

Attach each of these to the email: 

  • Letter about the rationale for requesting an exception to the ACS eligibility rules  
  • Full Curriculum vitae (CV)
  • NIH biosketch

If your request is approved, you'll receive a formal letter or email confirming your eligibility to apply. 

When you send in your application: In the appendix, add your letter or a copy of the extension-request email.