MISSION
The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize provides early-career scientists in the USA the freedom to take risks and pursue their boldest research at a stage when traditional funding is lacking. While the Prize initially focused on the greater New York City area, since 2026, applicants and winners now represent institutions from across the United States. In the quest for cures, the Prize accelerates the collaboration between academia and industry. Prize winners each receive $250,000 a year for three years, totaling $750,000.
KEY CRITERIA
Radically innovative and scientifically sound research: Novel approaches in cancer research characterized by a strong scientific rationale and novel methodologies. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, basic research and technological applications. PSSCRA is seeking high-risk, high-reward proposals characterized by radically novel scientific approaches that would otherwise not be funded. The objective is to support projects that may be too innovative and speculative for traditional funding sources but still have a likelihood of producing important findings. It should be a unique project for scientists, who are encouraged to stretch their imagination into areas that can substantially change the area of research. Scientific merit will be evaluated and determined by the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize Scientific Review Council and Prize Advisory Board. For more insight, please review our panel of board members and archive of past winning proposals on our website: http://psscra.org.
Quality of the applicant: Applicants must display creativity, adaptability, strong written communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with others. They embody an entrepreneurial spirit for driving impact and scale.
Potential impact on the cancer field: Proposals that articulate a clearly defined impact on/importance to the cancer field will be favored. The goal is to advance research in new ways that will have an impact on understanding, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of cancer. Consider the significance of the research question being asked, and the potential to shift paradigms or address unmet needs.
ELIGIBILITY
An MD, PhD, or MD-PhD degree (or equivalent) is required. Applicants must have at least two (2) years of experience running their own laboratories but no more than six (6) years of experience by the anticipated start date of the research project (July 2027). Principal Investigators (PIs) must hold faculty appointments at academic research institutions in the United States of America at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor (or equivalent). Multiple applicants from the same institution may apply as long as eligibility criteria are met. Applicants may only apply to the Prize a total of two (2) times.
Applicants to The Pershing Square Foundation (PSF) prize programs (the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize, MIND Prize, and Lotus Award) can only apply to one program at a time. For example, if you apply to the 2027 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize, you cannot apply to the 2027 MIND Prize that same year.
Current PSF awardees (including MIND Prize and Lotus Award winners) may not apply to the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize until their existing award term has concluded, and final reports have been received.
An applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, by submitting an application for this funding, assures that his/her visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project and grant term within the United States. Investigators need not be specifically trained in cancer research; however, they should be working in an environment capable of conducting high-quality, high-impact cancer research.
2027 Prize Application Guidelines
The application portal for the 2027 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize is open. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is Monday, October 26, 2026 by 5:00pm ET.
Applications will be notified regarding the status of their application by late February. For those selected as a finalist, presentations will be held on April 13th and 14th in New York City (while not preferred, a Zoom option is available if needed).
Please be sure to thoroughly read the above application guidelines. Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions here.
If you have any questions regarding the Prize, please contact us at info@psscra.org.
Visit our website to learn more.
2027 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize
MISSION
The Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize provides early-career scientists in the USA the freedom to take risks and pursue their boldest research at a stage when traditional funding is lacking. While the Prize initially focused on the greater New York City area, since 2026, applicants and winners now represent institutions from across the United States. In the quest for cures, the Prize accelerates the collaboration between academia and industry. Prize winners each receive $250,000 a year for three years, totaling $750,000.
KEY CRITERIA
Radically innovative and scientifically sound research: Novel approaches in cancer research characterized by a strong scientific rationale and novel methodologies. Research areas may include, but are not limited to, basic research and technological applications. PSSCRA is seeking high-risk, high-reward proposals characterized by radically novel scientific approaches that would otherwise not be funded. The objective is to support projects that may be too innovative and speculative for traditional funding sources but still have a likelihood of producing important findings. It should be a unique project for scientists, who are encouraged to stretch their imagination into areas that can substantially change the area of research. Scientific merit will be evaluated and determined by the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize Scientific Review Council and Prize Advisory Board. For more insight, please review our panel of board members and archive of past winning proposals on our website: http://psscra.org.
Quality of the applicant: Applicants must display creativity, adaptability, strong written communication skills, and the ability to collaborate with others. They embody an entrepreneurial spirit for driving impact and scale.
Potential impact on the cancer field: Proposals that articulate a clearly defined impact on/importance to the cancer field will be favored. The goal is to advance research in new ways that will have an impact on understanding, diagnosis, prevention and/or treatment of cancer. Consider the significance of the research question being asked, and the potential to shift paradigms or address unmet needs.
ELIGIBILITY
An MD, PhD, or MD-PhD degree (or equivalent) is required. Applicants must have at least two (2) years of experience running their own laboratories but no more than six (6) years of experience by the anticipated start date of the research project (July 2027). Principal Investigators (PIs) must hold faculty appointments at academic research institutions in the United States of America at the level of Assistant or Associate Professor (or equivalent). Multiple applicants from the same institution may apply as long as eligibility criteria are met. Applicants may only apply to the Prize a total of two (2) times.
Applicants to The Pershing Square Foundation (PSF) prize programs (the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize, MIND Prize, and Lotus Award) can only apply to one program at a time. For example, if you apply to the 2027 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize, you cannot apply to the 2027 MIND Prize that same year.
Current PSF awardees (including MIND Prize and Lotus Award winners) may not apply to the Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize until their existing award term has concluded, and final reports have been received.
An applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, by submitting an application for this funding, assures that his/her visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project and grant term within the United States. Investigators need not be specifically trained in cancer research; however, they should be working in an environment capable of conducting high-quality, high-impact cancer research.
2027 Prize Application Guidelines
The application portal for the 2027 Pershing Square Sohn Cancer Prize is open. The deadline to submit a Letter of Intent is Monday, October 26, 2026 by 5:00pm ET.
Applications will be notified regarding the status of their application by late February. For those selected as a finalist, presentations will be held on April 13th and 14th in New York City (while not preferred, a Zoom option is available if needed).
Please be sure to thoroughly read the above application guidelines. Find answers to Frequently Asked Questions here.
If you have any questions regarding the Prize, please contact us at info@psscra.org.
Visit our website to learn more.