Announcements

The National Cancer Institute’s Integrative Cancer Biology Program

 2010 Summer Cancer Research Fellowships

Research Experience for Undergraduates:  opportunities for current sophomore and junior level students

June 7 through August 6, 2010*

*Some fellowship sites may have modified program dates

Program Description
The 2010 Summer Cancer Research Fellowship program provides a unique opportunity for eligible sophomore or junior college students to engage in innovative approaches to cancer research through the National Cancer Institute’s (NCI) Integrative Cancer Biology Program (ICBP). The ICBP, composed of nine multidisciplinary centers across the United States, focuses on the analysis of cancer as using systems biology approaches. Researchers within each ICBP center integrate experimental biology with mathematical and computational modeling to gain new insights into the biology and management of cancer.

Selected student participants will be paired with a faculty-mentor from a participating ICBP center, based on the student’s indicated research interests and prior classwork. Through mentored research projects, faculty lectures, seminars, discussions, and other activities, the student will gain an understanding and appreciation of the major research questions currently under investigation, as well as the novel approaches being used within the ICBP centers.

Travel, Stipend, and Housing
Participants will receive a travel allowance of up to a maximum of  $600 for travel to the ICBP center at the beginning of the program and return travel home at the end of the program. Participants will receive a stipend of $3,300 for the summer program.  Housing accommodations will be arranged through the individual ICBP center; the NCI – ICBP program will cover housing costs up to $100 per night.  

Application and Eligibility
Application to the ICBP Summer Cancer Research Fellowship program is open to students currently enrolled as sophomores or juniors in an accredited college or university located in the continental United States. A student must live in the United States and be a United States citizen or hold a permanent resident visa to be eligible. Priority will be given to students who have at least a 3.0 GPA computed over the last three semesters and who have successfully completed relevant course work in the areas of biological, chemical, physical, computational, mathematical or statistical sciences, or engineering. Students will be selected based on their academic record, statement of interest, and two faculty recommendations. Students from under-represented minority groups and women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Beginning Monday, December 7, 2009, students may apply for the 2010 Summer Cancer Research Fellowship Program online by clicking on the following URL or cutting and pasting the URL into their web browser:

https://web.ncifcrf.gov/careers/icbp/

The online application form is the only format accepted by the NCI – ICBP for application to the program. Faculty recommendations are submitted online through a unique URL sent to each faculty’s email address provided by the student on his/her application. The following information is to be submitted by the student at the time of application to allow for consideration of acceptance into the program:

• Student's home address.
• Student's physical address during the current school year.
• Student's personal email address during and after the current school year.
• Student's home phone during and after the current school year.
• Student's other phone (cell) during and after the current school year.
• Names and email addresses of two faculty members who will be providing Student recommendations (Note: The accuracy of these email addresses is extremely important for the NCI-ICBP program to communicate with the faculty members providing a recommendation.)  Applicants should give advance notice to their recommending-faculty of the application deadline and the impending NCI-ICBP email that will contain a unique URL for him/her to submit their recommendation.
• Selection of two project choices in order of preference from a drop-down list. For a description of project choices, please visit: http://icbp.nci.nih.gov/education_outreach/student_resources/undergraduate_opportunities/projects.html
• A description of the student's research experience, if any (400 words maximum).
• A ranking of the student’s research interest and competence in (1) biological wet lab experience, (2) analytical mathematics; and (3) computer science
• A statement of interest in (1) why the student would like to participate in the NCI - ICBP program, (2) rationale/specific reasons for selection of first choice of projects, and (3)  rationale/specific reasons for selection of second choice of projects (400 words maximum).
• An uploadable unofficial electronic transcript (.PDF format ONLY) from all college/universities the student has attended.

The applicant will be notified by email when his/her faculty recommendations have been received and when his/her application is determined to be complete. Incomplete applications will not be considered.  An email will be sent notifying the applicants of his/her selection status approximately 6 weeks after the student application deadline.

Deadline for student applications:           Monday, January 25, 2010

Deadline for faculty recommendations:  Monday, February 1, 2010

Inquiries regarding the 2010 Summer Cancer Research Fellowship Program may be directed to:
Betty Tarnowski, Ph.D.
Division of Cancer Biology
National Cancer Institute
Tel.  843-588-2977

Email. tarnowsb@mail.nih.gov