The Aitch Foundation and Michigan State University’s Office of Research and Innovation invite applications for graduate assistantships in cancer research. This year we are happy to announce there will be a total of three awards. The total amount of support for each fellowship will be $30,000 for a 12-month period. Funding announcements will be made in late May 2026. The Aitch Foundation funds may be used to provide a graduate assistantship, but additional support for fringe benefits (tuition, fees, insurance) will not be provided, and it is expected that supplemental support will come from the research mentor.

Eligible applicants must be current graduate students at Michigan State University who are conducting research in one of the following programmatic areas:  early cancer detection and diagnostics; genetic and cellular changes contributing to tumor development; or the identification of new cancer targets or therapeutic agents. The expectation is that the student will devote the majority of his/her time to research, and candidates must therefore have successfully completed their preliminary exam before the start date of the assistantship.

To request funding for this program, graduate students should submit a proposal via the grant proposal system by 5pm on Thursday, April 2, 2026. Applications should include a CV, a letter of support from the mentor/thesis advisor, and a two-page research narrative.  The research narrative should focus on the importance of the research in meeting one or more of the stated goals of the program, and the plan for work to be undertaken during the year of funding. A faculty advisory committee will select the top applicants, based upon research accomplishments, potential for future contributions to cancer research and programmatic fit. Final selection of the Aitch Fellows will be made by the Board of the Aitch Foundation. The successful applicants will be asked to make a presentation on their research to the Aitch Foundation Board at the end of their Fellowship year. For questions contact Charles Hasemann (haseman1@msu.edu, 517-884-2367).

• February 5, 2026
  • RFA
• April 2, 20266
  • Application deadline. 
• May 4- May 8, 2026
  • Applicant interviews with Lauren Aitch. 
• May 15, 2026
  • Funding announcements will be made.
• June 1 – June 30, 2026
  • Project start date. Flexible, based on applicant input.