Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Global Cancer Research and Training Pilot Grant

The Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Global Cancer Research and Training (MSK-GCRT) Pilot Grant provides funding to a physician or research assistant from an ARGO or other African MSK-GCRT collaborating institution to support global research in cancer management. 
 

VIDEO | 1:51

How MSK’s GCRT Program Is Improving Colorectal Cancer Care In Nigeria

Learn about MSK’s Global Cancer Research and Training (GCRT) Program (formerly GCDI) and how they are improving cancer care across the world in low income countries, starting with colorectal cancer in Nigeria.
Video Details

The goal of the project is to generate data that can be used to pursue additional, larger grants in the future. Applicants are required to design a one-year pilot study focused on cancer prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or outcomes in one of the following cancer types: breast, cervical, or colorectal. This project must be carried out in the applicant’s home country. An award will be paid directly to the recipient’s institution and must be used solely for expenses that are pre-approved and included in the budget.

African Research Group in Oncology (ARGO) is the first National Cancer Institute approved Colorectal Consortium in Africa established in 2013. The consortium was jointly established by Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex in Nigeria and Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center.

In Nigeria, the consortium has grown to include:

  1. University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital
  2. Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospitals Complex, Ile-Ife, Osun State
  3. University Of Ilorin Teaching Hospital, Kwara State
  4. University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State
  5. Federal Medical Center, Owo, Ondo State
  6. Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Lagos
  7. Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos
  8. Ahmadu Bellow University Teaching Hospital, Zaria
  9. University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital, Borno State
  10. Babcock University Teaching Hospital, Inisa-Iremo, Ogun State
  11. Federal Medical Center, Abeokuta, Ogun State
  12. Ekiti State Hospital, Ado-Ekiti
  13. Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, Imo State
  14. Federal Medical Center, Ido Ekiti
  15. University of Calabar Teaching Hospital
  16. LAUTECH Ogbomosho
  17. Abia State University Teaching Hospital
  18. Aminu Kano Teaching Hospital
  19. Univeristy of Abuja Teaching Hospital
  20. Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna State University
  21. Federal Medical Center Kebbi
  22. Ogun State Teaching Hospital
  23. University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital
  24. Federal Medical Center Yola
  25. University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin Edo State
  26. Ondo State Trauma and Surgical Centre
  27. UNIOSUN Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State
  28. Niger Delta University Teaching Hospital, Wilberforce Island, Bayelsa State

To qualify for this pilot grant, applicants must:

  1. Must be African citizens
  2. Currently reside in African country
  3. Hold a position in one of the above mentioned ARGO institutions or other MSK-GCRT African collaborating sites
  4. Demonstrate an interest in improving cancer management in their home country

Key Dates

  • Applications Currently Being Accepted
  • Applications Due: August 31, 2025
  • Notification Date: November 2025

Each grant will be issued at $5,000 dollars per grant. Please submit complete PDF grant applications via email to Cristina Olcese at [email protected]  Please do not send pieces individually.

Begin with baccalaureate or other initial professional education, such as nursing. Include postdoctoral training and residency training if applicable. Please include: Institute and Location, Degree (if applicable), Dates and Field of Study.
(Limit to 250 words) Briefly describe why your experience and qualifications make you a strong candidate for your role in the project that is the subject of the application.
List in chronological order previous institutions where you have worked, your title/position, and start and end dates, concluding with your current position. Include any professional awards you have received.
List publications in chronological order. Publications may be research articles, review articles, book chapters, etc. You may choose to include selected publications based on date of publication, importance to the field, and/or relevance to the proposed research. Candidates without any publications may enter “N/A.”
(Limit to 250 words) List ongoing and completed research projects. Begin with the projects that are most relevant to the research proposed in this application. Briefly indicate the overall goals of the projects and your role. Candidates without prior research experience may enter “N/A.”
What sex were you assigned at birth?
Please select one response that best describes your current primary activity:
What is your primary specialty?
Briefly describe your background in the area of your proposed research study (250 word limit).
This section should not exceed 1,200 words.
How do the activities proposed in your research project address a need in your home country? How will this research project benefit your home institution and cancer care in your country? Describe any relevant infrastructure available in your institution.