Selected by the Board of Scientific Advisors, these researchers were chosen for their past accomplishments and the potential of their proposed projects. The incoming fellows are tackling complex biological challenges, including mapping how tumor cells sequester nutrients to fuel growth and identifying host defenses against bacterial infections.

Sue Biggins, chair of the Board of Scientific Advisors and director of the Basic Sciences Division at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, described the group as scientists possessing the drive to pursue unconventional questions. The funding, which covers three years of stipends, is supported by a coalition of partners, including the Robertson Foundation, the Achelis & Bodman Foundation, and Merck Research Laboratories. This 2026 group marks the third-largest class in the fund’s history, reflecting a concerted effort to sustain scientific careers during a challenging period for the field. The organization will begin accepting applications for the 2027 cohort in October.