Hold’em for Life Early Career Professorships in Cancer Research

To support the career trajectory and research activities of early‑career clinician scientists by protecting dedicated research time and providing resources that enable their success in academic medicine, specifically in the area of cancer research.

The professorship is valued at $225,000 over a three-year (3-year) term ($75,000 per annum) effective July 1, 2026. At least one professorship will be available for the July 1, 2026 start date.

Early-Career Clinician Scientists, Clinical Investigators, and Quality & Innovation (QI) clinicians working in all areas of cancer research, including basic science, preclinical and clinical research, and knowledge translation are eligible to apply.

Full time clinical faculty members with an academic position description of Clinician Scientist, Clinical Investigators and QIs, at the minimum rank of Assistant Professor within the first 5 years of their academic appointment are eligible to apply. Applicants with confirmed offers for full-time academic appointment in Temerty Faculty of Medicine are also eligible to apply. 

Applicants who are more than five (5) years beyond their first academic appointment but have experienced career interruptions such as maternity or parental leave, extended sick leave, or clinical training, may have their eligibility considered by the review committee.  At the Notice of Intent stage, applicants should include a brief statement and timeline outlining any disruptions.

1. Notice of Intent deadline: Monday, April 6, 2026
   • Please complete the web form and submit a well-formatted CV (any format) to patricia.cayetano@utoronto.ca noting “Hold'em for Life - Spring 2026" in the subject line
2. Full application deadline: Friday, May 8, 2026
3. Decisions made:  June 2026
4. Funding start date: July 1, 2026

Completed applications should be emailed to patricia.cayetano@utoronto.ca by 5pm on Friday, May 8, 2026.

1. Application cover sheet
2.  Research Summary
   • Include a one‑page research statement describing how your program supports or plans to advance cancer research. Please include:
     • Title of the proposal
     • Broad goals of the proposed research
     • Relevant background and/or rationale for the proposed work
     • Specific research aims, including a brief overview of the methodology used to address each aim
     • Description of core expertise and collaborations (within or outside the research community) that will contribute to achieving the research goals
     • Expected outcomes and the potential significance or impact of the research
       • Describe how the work will advance knowledge and/or contribute to improved health care, health systems, or health outcomes in the context of cancer
3. Detailed Research Proposal (3-4 pages, inclusive of references)
   • Provide a detailed narrative of your research plan. Highlight the originality of the research concept, your approach, and how your expertise positions you for success. Describe how the findings will contribute to disease understanding, identify potential therapies, and support trainee supervision and mentorship.
   • Include the following sections:
     • Introduction
     • Proposed Research Program
     • Significance and Innovation
     • Translation Strategy
4. List of top 5 publications or scholarly outputs (1 page)
   • List your top five publications or comparable scholarly outputs in order of significance or impact.
   • All outputs must be completed and published. Works in progress or under review will not be considered.
   • You may include a brief description highlighting the importance of each selected publication.
5. Well-formatted CV 
   • Submit an up‑to‑date CV, tailored to your clinical research achievements (maximum 30 pages).

A committee chaired by the Director of Clinical Research and Translation will review all submitted applications. Reviewers will be required to declare any potential conflicts of interest prior to being assigned applications. Following the review process, the top candidates will be recommended to the Dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine for appointment to the professorship.

Funds may be provided to awardees as a stipend, a research allowance to support their research program, or a combination of the two.

The successful applicant must submit an annual report to the Director of Clinical Research and Translation prior to the award’s anniversary date each year.

Questions regarding the Hold’em for Life Early Career Professorship in Cancer Research, please contact Patricia Cayetano, Academic HR Officer at patricia.cayetano@utoronto.ca