Professor Tung Ta-Cheng（1916 - 2008）was the founder of the Taiwan Oncology Society and two-term president of the society. The Tung Ta-Cheng Cancer Research Award was established in his honor to recognize a distinguished scholar in the field each year in Taiwan.

After graduating from Taipei Imperial University Medical College（renamed National Taiwan University College of Medicine after World War II）, Professor Tung studied biochemistry under Professor Hirohata Ryuzo（廣畑龍造）and started his career in teaching and research. In 1944 he received a doctorate degree from Kyushu Imperial University Medical School in Japan. At age 29, he became Chairman of Department of Biochemistry at National Taiwan University College of Medicine（NTUCM）, and served in that position for 27 years. During 1949-1951, Professor Tung was selected to conduct advanced studies of transamination reactions with Dr. Philip P. Cohen, and in enzyme chemistry with Dr. Henry A. Lardy, at the University of Wisconsin.

Professor Tung dedicated his life to studying numerous facets of biochemistry--including enzymes in amino acid and carbohydrate metabolism（e.g. demethylase）； food safety and nutrition（including enriched rice, milk substitutes for infants）； toxins, such as PCB, abrin, ricin, aflatoxin -- and their effects on cancer and the potential anti-cancer effects of jack beans（白鳳豆）and ganoderma lucidum（靈芝）in stimulating immune system.

He taught many students who became prominent members in biomedical research and teaching both at home in Taiwan and abroad in the United States. Professor Tung enjoyed collaborating with his colleagues and students, publishing more than 100 scientific papers and books. Serving as Dean of Students at NTUCM for 18 years, he was known to be one of the most popular professors at NTUCM.

After retiring from NTUCM in 1983, he was asked to serve as Dean of the Taipei Medical College. During his time there, he successfully reformed the institution. He also served as the sixth Chairman of the Board at MacKay Memorial Hospital, despite having to overcome the hospital’s most challenging management and finance crises.

Professor Tung was a devoted Christian and very active at church. A true community leader, he headed numerous philanthropic organizations, including the Taiwan Red Cross, where he served as President and as Chairman of the Board for two institutes for blind children. Professor Tung’s generosity of spirit and excellent leadership enhanced the many incredible achievements he made in the scientific field during his lifetime.

1. In order to memorize Dr. Tung Ta-Cheng and have his valuable achievements inspire people, the Taiwan Oncology Society honors one candidate each year with Dr. Tung Ta-Cheng′s Basic Cancer Research Award. The award applies to an individual who is pursuing careers in basic and clinical cancer research and grants to eligible candidates who help to improve the quality of cancer care in Taiwan.
2. Candidates do not necessarily need to be members of the Taiwan Oncology Society. The award is limited to a maximum of one （1） person each year and the award recipient will receive an honorarium of NT$ 200,000. The award applies to an individual who is pursuing careers in basic and clinical cancer research and grants to eligible candidates who help to improve the quality of cancer care in Taiwan. The recipient will not be eligible to receive the award again for a three-year period after the award was granted. The award is not granted, if there is no eligible winner.
3. To be eligible for applying for Dr. Tung Ta-Cheng′s Basic Cancer Research Award, application process shall begin with one of the three following requirements,
   I. Self-recommendation
   II. Recommendation from a current member of the Taiwan Oncology Society
   III. Recommendation from an institution in Taiwan
4. The society starts receiving application requests in November and the application deadline is December 31 each year. Applicants must submit the following documents, including one （1） original document along with seven （7） copies,
   I. A recommendation letter
   II. A recent curriculum vitae and a statement of purpose of research projects (which need to be presented as the Mini Review format of Janural of Cancer Research and Practice (JCRP))
   III. A list of publications within the last three （3） years or related publications within the last five （5） years
5. The Board of Directors has assembled an outstanding research selection committee to elevate candidates. The committee is composed of specialists from various fields and selection of the award winner will be made on the basis of the candidate′s significant, fundamental contributions to cancer research. The President or a director shall serve as a Committee Chair.
6. The outstanding research selection committee will determine which candidate is eligible and qualified. The award is not granted, if there is no eligible winner. The committee will determine the winner before the end of February next year and the final result will be reported to the Board of Directors and the Board of Supervisors.
7. Dr. Tung Ta-Cheng’s Basic Cancer Research Award will be presented at the annual member meeting. The winner shall present the results of his/her research projects at the meeting and also get his/her results published in society journals.
8. The honorarium funded by Dr. Tung Ta-Cheng’s medical research foundation.
9. The award criteria shall be adopted upon the approval of the Board of Directors and the Board of Supervisors and same as when amendments to the bylaws occur.