Novartis Canada Reopens NOYCIA 2026 to Support Emerging Oncology Researchers

The program provides funding, visibility and a national platform for early-career oncology clinicians and researchers in Canada.

Mar. 31, 2026 at 3:21am

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Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc. is calling on Canadian early-career oncology clinicians and researchers to submit abstracts for the 2026 Novartis Oncology Young Canadian Investigator Awards (NOYCIA), a national program dedicated to supporting and recognizing emerging oncology researchers across Canada. The program has provided over $1.1 million in grants since 2004, and this year's selected recipients will each receive a $5,000 grant to present their research at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

Why it matters

NOYCIA reflects Novartis Canada's longstanding commitment to advancing oncology research in the country by supporting the next generation of oncology leaders and innovative cancer research that can improve patient outcomes. The program helps build confidence and visibility for emerging investigators within the Canadian oncology community.

The details

Each year, ten researchers are selected based on the scientific merit of their work following independent review by a scientific panel. The selected recipients will receive a $5,000 grant and the opportunity to present their research during the NOYCIA ceremony, held on May 31, 2026, in Chicago during the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting. NOYCIA is open to postdoctoral students, residents, fellows, graduate students, medical students, PhD candidates and undergraduates affiliated with a Canadian institution who are first authors on an abstract accepted for presentation at ASCO 2026.

  • NOYCIA was established in 2004.
  • The 2026 NOYCIA ceremony will be held on May 31, 2026 in Chicago during the ASCO Annual Meeting.

The players

Novartis Pharmaceuticals Canada Inc.

A pharmaceutical company that has invested over $1.1 million in grants through the NOYCIA program since 2004, providing funding, visibility and a national platform for emerging oncology researchers in Canada.

Dr. Mitchell Elliott

An oncology fellow at Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, UHN and a 2024 NOYCIA award recipient, who stated that the program offered critical support and national visibility at an important point in his training.

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What they’re saying

“NOYCIA reflects our long-standing commitment to Canada's oncology research community. For more than two decades, this program has helped spotlight the next generation of oncology leaders and supported innovative research that pushes the boundaries of what's possible for patients. I encourage all eligible trainees and their supervisors from across the country to participate and contribute to the future of cancer research in Canada.”

— Dimitri Gitas, Country President of Novartis Canada

“NOYCIA provided critical support at an important point in my training. The program offered national visibility and helped build confidence as I took the next step in my academic career within the Canadian oncology community.”

— Dr. Mitchell Elliott, Oncology fellow

What’s next

The deadline for submitting abstracts for NOYCIA 2026 is April 15, 2026. Details on eligibility, submission requirements, and key milestones for the program are available at www.noycia.ca.

The takeaway

Novartis Canada's longstanding investment in the NOYCIA program demonstrates its commitment to fostering the next generation of oncology leaders in Canada and supporting innovative cancer research that can improve patient outcomes. The program provides critical funding, visibility and a national platform for emerging investigators to share their work and build their careers within the Canadian oncology community.