Early Career Investigator Award Abstracts

Regular and Early Career Investigator Award Abstract Submission Period

April 22, 2026–June 25, 2026 at 5 p.m. PT.

Abstract DatesAbstract Reference GuideQuick Reference Guide

In 2026, SITC will offer 41 Early Career Investigator Awards recognizing excellence in novel research and providing early career investigators with experience necessary for successful careers.

Regular Abstracts with primary and presenting authors that are students, postdoctoral research fellows, clinical fellows, or junior faculty with three or fewer years on staff and are current SITC members, may be eligible to receive a Early Career Investigator Award. Early Career Investigator Award Abstracts require a letter of recommendation as well as additional information regarding the percentage of contribution by the primary and presenting author.

An abstract submitted for a Early Career Investigator Award that does not receive an award may still be accepted as an abstract for SITC 2026 and will be considered a Regular Abstract.

Early Career Investigator Award Eligibility

To qualify for SITC Early Career Investigator Award, the abstract author must:

  • Be a current SITC member
  • Must meet at least one of the below criteria:
    • Be a student (undergraduate or graduate)
    • Be within postdoctoral or postgraduate training
    • Be a junior faculty (instructor/assistant professor) with three or fewer years on staff (total from all institutions; inclusive of experience in all fields)
  • Serve as both the primary author and presenting author on the abstract
  • Meet the June 25 deadline for abstract submission and indicate that they wish to be considered for an award
  • Include a letter of recommendation from a lab supervisor stating their categorization
  • Outline their contribution level to the four areas listed below. A greater level of participation will be judged more favorably and will be used as one of the criteria for judging award recipients. Categories include:
    • Conception and design
    • Collection and assembly of data
    • Data analysis and interpretation
    • Abstract writing

Additional Abstract Submission Fields

Submitters of abstracts that qualify for a Early Career Investigator Award and indicate they would like to be considered for a Early Career Investigator Award must include the following information in their application:

  • Upload a letter of recommendation from a supervisor (.doc, .docx, .pdf)
  • Confirm they are a SITC member
  • Confirm they are a student, postdoctoral research fellow, clinical fellow, or junior faculty with three or fewer years on staff, and if so, identify which category they represent
  • Indicate the percentage of contribution by the primary and presenting author in regards to conception and design, collection and assembly, data analysis and interpretation, and abstract writing

Important Dates for Early Career Investigator Award Abstracts

April 22, 2026
Regular Abstract and Early Career Investigator Award Abstract Submission Site Opens

June 25, 2026
Regular Abstract and Early Career Investigator Award Abstract Submission Site Closes at 5 p.m. PDT

July 31, 2026
Regular Abstract and Early Career Investigator Award Abstract Notifications Sent

Aug. 7, 2026
Regular and Early Career Investigator Award Abstract Presentation Acceptance Confirmations and Deadline for Regular and Early Career Investigator Award Abstract Withdrawals (Withdrawals must be made by emailing Education@sitcancer.org to Indicate a Withdrawal)

Oct. 2, 2026
Regular and Early Career Investigator Award Abstract Title and Author Information Released at 9 a.m. ET

Nov. 3, 2026
Embargo Lifted and Full Regular, Early Career Investigator Award Abstracts and Late-breaking Abstracts Made Public at 9 a.m. ET and all accepted abstract are available in the JITC Supplement

Nov. 6–8, 2026
41st Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs

Feb. 2027
Final Supplement Published in JITC

Early Career Investigator Award Categories

Eligible individuals that submit a Early Career Investigator Award Abstract for SITC 2026 will be considered for one of the following award categories.

Early Career Investigator Awards are reviewed and selected by the Presidential Award Review Committee, which is comprised of the SITC Executive Committee and two nominated at-large directors. The Presidential Award Review Committee selects the four Presidential Travel Awards, who present during the Presidential Session, and the Abstract Travel Award recipients. In addition to the abstract information and requirements for Early Career Investigator Award, the Presidential Award Review Committee takes into consideration the review scores and feedback of all reviewers as well as the contribution, institution, and background of the presenting author. The Abstract Travel Award recipients not selected for the Presidential Travel Awards and any other abstracts not selected for an award are still considered for oral presentation or poster presentation and will be considered a Regular Abstract.

Abstract Travel Awards

Thirty-seven Abstract Travel Awards will be presented by SITC to early career investigators who submit an abstract to the society’s 41st Annual Meeting. Those selected have the opportunity to present a poster of their abstract at the 41st Annual Meeting and are eligible for an oral presentation during the Annual Meeting. Award recipients will also receive:

  • Up to $750 in travel stipend (applied to SITC 2026)
  • SITC Abstract Travel Award certificate and poster ribbon

Presidential Travel Awards

Four abstracts submitted in any category and authored by early career investigators will be selected for an oral abstract presentation during the Presidential Session of SITC’s 41st Annual Meeting. Presenting authors not selected for the SITC Presidential Award will receive a SITC Presidential Travel Award in recognition of their achievement. Recipients will also receive:

  • Up to $750 in a travel stipend (applied to SITC 2026)
  • One-year complimentary SITC membership
  • Presidential Travel Award certificate and poster ribbon

Authors selected for a Presidential Travel Award will present during the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026, from 9:05–10:30 a.m. (session time is subject to change). Each presentation will be 10 minutes in length, followed by four to five minutes of questions and answers. Oral presenters must be capable and comfortable presenting the abstract to a large audience and answering audience questions.

  • $1,000 honorarium
  • Up to $1,000 in travel stipend (applied to SITC 2026)
  • One-year complimentary SITC membership
  • A commemorative Presidential Award plaque and a poster ribbon noting them as the Presidential Award Winner.

Presidential Award

Established in 1991, the SITC Presidential Award serves as recognition to the early career investigator deemed to have the most outstanding oral abstract presentation at the SITC Annual Meeting. The recipient of the Presidential Award will receive:

The Presidential Award Winner will be determined following the Presidential Session on Sunday, Nov. 8, 2026 at the 41st Annual Meeting. Individuals who have previously won the SITC Presidential Award are ineligible for the same award.