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FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship

The application period for the AACR-FDA OCE 2024-2025 Fellowship year is now closed.

Please visit AACR.org in June 2025 for the 2025-2026 fellowship application. Those who have submitted applications and need to submit additional information/documents, please email [email protected].

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

Purpose: This fellowship is designed to promote scientific progress through exchange of scientific knowledge in oncology education, collaborative learning, and research. Through targeted educational activities and interactions with experts from the AACR and the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence, FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellows will increase their familiarity and experience with oncology drug development and the regulatory review process.

Activities: Over the course of one year, fellows will participate in virtual educational events on topics to include: INDs, NDAs/BLAs, expedited pathways, animal studies, clinical pharmacology, statistics, clinical trial design, companion diagnostics, biomarkers, and precision oncology. The sessions will be a mix of didactic content and group discussions. Fellows will be expected to complete assignments relevant to lesson content between meetings.

Fellows will be provided with travel and lodging assistance to attend the AACR Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL, April 25-30, 2025. Additionally, the fellowship capstone, Project ODAC Odyssey, will involve fellows developing and leading an in-person mock meeting of the Oncology Drug Advisory Committee in May 2025 at the FDA White Oak Campus.

Additional mentoring and networking opportunities will be offered through the AACR throughout the year.

Duration: One year. Program participants are required to attend all sessions in full.

TESTIMONIALS

ELIGIBILITY

The FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship is open to early-career cancer investigators or clinicians who have earned an advanced degree (DO, MD, MD/PhD, or PhD, etc) within the past 10 years. Current or pending AACR membership is a requirement for applying. Strong candidates will have excellent English writing skills and a demonstrated interest in oncology drug development and the regulatory review process. We welcome applications globally, but meeting visa travel requirements for in-person portions are the responsibility of the fellow.

APPLYING

Interested candidates must complete the application process on or before the application deadline (August 1, 11:59 p.m. Eastern time).

Application Process

  • Online Application. The online application form will be available in June 2024. Applications should include a short bio (max 250 words) and curriculum vitae (4-page maximum). The CV should include the applicant’s education, professional accomplishments, publications, and any honors and awards. The NIH Biographical Sketch Format Page will not be accepted.
  • Letters of Recommendation. Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation (two-page maximum for each) in the online application portal. However, if letters are not ready when filling out the application, they may be submitted via a single email to [email protected] by the application deadline, please include your name and “FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship” in the subject line. These letters should address the applicant’s professional/scientific competence and what makes them a good candidate for the FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship. Both references should be able to speak to your scientific and/or clinical experiences from a supervisory or mentoring perspective.

Recommendation letters should be sent to [email protected] with the subject line “(Applicant name) 2025 FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship.”

TIMELINE

  • June 1: Application period opens
  • August 1: All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. (local time)
  • September: Selected fellows notified
  • October: Hold first virtual fellowship activity (Date TBD)

STAFF CONTACT

Nicholas Warren, PhD
Associate Director, Regulatory Science and Policy
Email

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What qualifies as “early-career?”
    For the purposes of this fellowship, “early-career” individuals have received their terminal degree within the past 10 years and are currently working fulltime in academia in research, teaching, and/or clinical capacities. Eligible positions could include postdoctoral fellows, staff scientists, assistant professors, clinical fellows, and medical residents. Undergraduates, graduate students, and individuals working in industry or in an industry-sponsored fellowship are NOT eligible for the FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship. Please contact us if you are unsure if your current position qualifies for the fellowship.
  • What counts as an “advanced degree?”
    For the purposes of this fellowship, only individuals with a PhD, MD, DO, or MD/PhD are eligible to apply. If you have questions about your specific degree and circumstances, contact us to discuss.
  • Do I need to be a member of the AACR to apply?
    AACR membership is required. Membership in the AACR confers useful benefits. Applicants must have applied to become members of the AACR before submitting their fellowship application, however only proof of application is required to submit an application.
  • Can I submit application materials as I complete them, or should I submit everything together?
    We would prefer to receive all materials in the application survey.

    However, if you have everything except the reference letters completed, you may submit those documents and follow up with a second email containing your letters of recommendation, as long as all materials are received by August 1, 2024. Please make sure all emails have “(Applicant name) FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship” as the subject line.
  • Should I submit my letters of recommendation myself or have my reference-writers send them on their own?
    You should submit all your application materials, including the letters of recommendation. You are responsible for ensuring all materials are submitted prior to the deadline. The FDA and AACR will not consider applications for which there are missing or incomplete materials.  
  • How many fellows will be selected for the FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship?
    We have previously accepted approximately 20 fellows in each class and expect to continue accepting similar numbers.
  • What will the selection process be like?
    Applications will first be reviewed for completeness; incomplete applications will not be considered. A selection committee comprising FDA staff and AACR members with experience in the drug development and review process will select fellows based on strength of qualifications and references.  
  • Is this a full-time fellowship, or something done in addition to current clinic and/or research commitments?
    The FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship is an additional learning opportunity for early-career scientists on top of their current responsibilities. We anticipate the time commitment is roughly 5 hours per month, including one 3 hour-long monthly virtual meeting starting in October. Fellows are also expected to attend the AACR Annual Meeting, which lasts approximately 5 days in April and an additional in-person capstone project in May 2025.
  • Is U.S. citizenship a requirement?
    No, U.S. citizenship is not required to apply for or become a fellow.
  • Can I apply for the fellowship if I am located outside of the U.S.?
    Yes, the fellowship welcomes interested applicants globally. Meeting visa travel requirements for in-person events are the responsibility of the fellow. International fellows are encouraged to start the visa application process soon after being notified of acceptance into the program.
  • Will there be a stipend?
    No, there is no stipend.