ROSEMONT, Ill., Aug. 6, 2026 — The Society of Surgical Oncology (SSO) and the Melanoma Research Alliance (MRA) today announced a collaborative Young Investigator Award, jointly funded by both organizations. SSO and MRA intend to support one award through the partnership. Young Investigator Awards aim to attract early-career faculty with original ideas into the field of melanoma, recruiting and supporting the next generation of melanoma research leaders.
Melanoma is the fifth most common cancer in the United States, according to the National Cancer Institute. While research and treatment have advanced significantly in recent years, substantial need remains for additional treatment options, including approaches for rare melanoma subtypes, optimization of existing and emerging therapies, and improved melanoma prevention, detection, and diagnostic tools.
“Collaboration serves a critical role in advancing the most promising research and ultimately benefitting patients,” says MRA’s Chief Science Officer Dr. Joan Levy. “This partnership between MRA and SSO will help support the next generation of researchers in their quest to address gaps in the current melanoma treatment landscape.”
The collaborative grant will fund one recipient a total of $255,000, distributed at $85,000 per year over three years. Awardees will receive funding to pursue innovative, original preclinical, translational, and/or early clinical research projects. Applicants must be within the first five years of their first independent, full-time academic faculty appointment.
All Young Investigator Award applicants must have their eligibility confirmed before submitting an application. Applicants must upload their Applicant Eligibility Checklist and biosketch in Proposal Central by 5 p.m. ET on Sept. 14, 2026. No letter of intent is required. MRA will confirm applicant eligibility by email.
Contact:
Nick Sautter Assistant Director, Scientific Initiatives, Society of Surgical Oncology NicholasSautter@surgonc.org
Dana Deighton Director, Communications and Engagement, Melanoma Research Alliance ddeighton@curemelanoma.org