Binaytara Announces the David Aboulafia Merit Award to Support Researchers at the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities 2026

Binaytara has announced the David Aboulafia Merit Award to support early-career researchers presenting at the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities 2026 (SCHD26). The award provides 25 first authors with $500 travel support and waived registration, reducing financial barriers and strengthening the future of cancer health equity research.

Binaytara and the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities 2026 (SCHD26) planning committee have created a new award in honor of Dr. David Aboulafia. In recognition of his service, leadership and dedication to improving cancer health equity, Binaytara has created the David Aboulafia Merit Awards. This year, the awards will go to the first authors of 25 exceptional research abstracts submitted to SCHD26. Realized as a $500 award to contribute to travel and accommodation costs for SCHD26 and waived registration fees, these merit awards will reduce financial barriers for early-career investigators and oncology/hematology fellows to attend SCHD26.

BELLEVUE, WA—As the Summit on Cancer Health Disparities 2026 (SCHD26) approaches on March 27-28, 2026, Binaytara is rolling out merit awards for researchers presenting at the conference. Named the David Aboulafia Merit Award, this recognition goes to exceptional abstracts selected to be showcased at SCHD26, Binaytara’s flagship national conference that brings together leaders improving cancer health equity. Along with a waived conference registration fee, each awardee will be granted $500 to contribute to travel and lodging costs.

The David Aboulafia Merit Awards reflect Binaytara’s commitment to strengthening the research foundation of cancer health equity while expanding access to professional development opportunities.

“I hope these award funds will improve equitable access to continuing education for early-career heme/onc clinicians,” said Dr. David Aboulafia. This funding opportunity addresses the financial barriers that often prevent promising early-career researchers and clinicians from participating in continuing education and scholarly exchange, helping level the field for medical professionals.

How SCHD26 is Founded on Research Excellence and Inclusion

In a similar line of early-career support, Binaytara invited oncology/hematology fellows and early-career cancer health equity investigators to submit abstracts for SCHD26. After receiving a record-breaking influx of submissions, the abstract committee led by Don S. Dizon, MD from Tufts Medical Center, and Martha Pritchett Mims, MD, PhD from Baylor College of Medicine—reviewed the abstracts. Accepted abstracts were then published in Binaytara’s peer-reviewed International Journal of Cancer Care and Delivery (IJCCD).

Research Takes Center Stage: The Impact Pitch

First authors of accepted abstracts were invited to submit a full research proposal to compete for Binaytara’s Implementation Science Research Awards of up to $25,000 each at SCHD26. These larger research awards will be given to research project proposals focused on improving the way evidence-based cancer care is delivered in real-world settings. Which projects receive funding will be determined by a panel of judges and an engaged audience at a first-of-its-kind Shark Tank-style pitching event. This event is the inaugural Impact Pitch: Binaytara Research Award Challenge—a live event where early-career investigators present innovative, practice-changing ideas in cancer care, competing to win up to $25,000 to fund their research project.

“This is really seed money with no strings attached,” Dr. Aboulafia said of the Implementation Science Research Awards. “It is an opportunity to advance their careers, advance their aspirations, and support their clinical investigations in this field. We are looking for people who have great ideas, who want to share them, are looking to expand on them, and have institutional support—someone who has an opportunity to do this work at their own institution.”

Funding for the Future of Cancer Health Equity

According to a 2024 study, 19% of clinicians surveyed reported not attending conferences due to a lack of funding. Binaytara is pleased to lighten the financial burden of conference attendance with the David Aboulafia Merit Award, ensuring promising scholars can participate in the conversation that will shape the future of cancer care equity at SCHD26.

A collaborative environment geared toward minimizing cancer health disparities, SCHD26 will allow the next generation of cancer researchers and fellows to share their work in improving cancer care and delivery with advanced-career healthcare professionals. This year, SCHD is co-chaired by Dr. David Aboulafia (Virginia Mason Medical Center) and Dr. Ana María López (Sidney Kimmel Comprehensive Cancer Center), both longtime health equity advocates.

Be it participating in the Impact Pitch or shaping the next generation of implementation science research from the audience, presenting a poster, or striking up a conversation with a key opinion leader, SCHD26 is rife with opportunities for those early in their research journeys and those with decades under their belt alike.

SCHD will be held at the Hyatt Regency Bellevue in Bellevue, Washington, on March 27th and 28th. To register for SCHD26 and witness the Impact Pitch live, visit Binaytara’s conference page. For more updates on SCHD26 or for future funding opportunities, follow us on social media and join our mailing list.