A Graduate Student’s Roadmap to Making the Most of AACR Membership
By Abigail M. Fielder, a graduate student at Wayne State University School of Medicine, and Brian G. Morreale, a graduate student at Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center, who are both members of the AACR Associate Member Council
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the largest cancer research organization in the world and provides numerous opportunities for scientists at every stage of training. For graduate students, AACR offers far more than access to journals or discounted conference registration. Through conferences, funding opportunities, career development programs, advocacy initiatives, and leadership roles, AACR provides resources that help trainees build scientific skills, expand professional networks, and explore diverse career trajectories within cancer research.
As we celebrate Graduate Student Appreciation Week, it is also an opportunity to recognize the critical role that graduate trainees play in driving scientific discovery and cancer research. The dedication, curiosity, and perseverance of graduate students are foundational to the future of the field. As trainees progress through graduate school, the importance of community, mentorship, and professional visibility becomes increasingly clear, and AACR fosters these connections while exposing trainees to new scientific ideas and career paths. This article highlights several ways graduate students can make the most of AACR membership and leverage its resources to support their professional development and long-term scientific careers.
1. Find Your Entry Point into AACR
Many trainees first encounter AACR early in their academic journey. Over time, it often evolves from a line on one’s CV into a community that expands scientific perspectives, strengthens professional networks, and connects trainees with peers and mentors navigating similar challenges and milestones. Identifying the right entry point can help graduate students make the most of the many opportunities available to AACR Associate Members.
For many trainees, the AACR Annual Meeting serves as their first introduction to the organization. As the premier oncology conference in the world, the Annual Meeting brings together thousands of scientists and clinicians across all disciplines and career stages to present new discoveries, clinical trial results, and late-breaking advances in cancer research, while also creating opportunities for collaboration and scientific exchange. More than 22,000 scientists from around the world attend the meeting each year, presenting thousands of abstracts and clinical trial updates that highlight the latest advances in cancer research.
In addition to the Annual Meeting, AACR hosts specialized conferences and workshops focused on specific areas of cancer research, which often provide more opportunities for direct scientific discussion with investigators working in closely related research areas. These meetings create environments where trainees feel more comfortable asking questions and engaging in scientific dialogue. AACR also organizes Scientific Working Groups, which bring together researchers with shared interests and help coordinate sessions at meetings and other collaborative initiatives, helping trainees identify communities that align closely with their research interests.
2. Engage Beyond the Presentation
Scientific and community engagement are critical aspects of attending AACR meetings that help young scientists grow. While poster presentations are an important part of the experience, many of the most meaningful interactions take place beyond the presentation itself.
Trainee networking events, Associate Member Council (AMC) activities, and gatherings hosted by AACR constituency groups create welcoming environments where graduate students can connect with peers and senior investigators across institutions. One example is Women in Cancer Research (WICR), a constituency group that recognizes women’s scientific achievements and supports their career advancement.
Additionally, career development panels, meet-the-expert discussions, and small group conversations allow trainees to engage directly with investigators and ask questions about both science and career paths.
Students should also reach out to new acquaintances and possible collaborators or employers after the conference through email, professional networking platforms, or social media to help turn brief introductions into lasting professional relationships. Similar to a neural network, constant reinforcement builds connection and strengthens connections based on activity.
3. Take Advantage of Trainee-focused Opportunities
Beyond conferences, AACR offers programs designed to support early-career scientists and introduce trainees to a range of career paths in cancer research. Career development sessions and workshops feature scientists sharing their professional journeys and providing insight into careers in academia, industry, policy, and other areas. For example, later this year the AACR Integrative Molecular Epidemiology Workshop and the Translational Cancer Research for Basic Scientists Workshop will provide interactive environments where trainees can engage with investigators and explore evolving research topics.
AACR also provides opportunities for trainees to participate in science advocacy, leadership, and mentorship. Programs such as AACR Early-career Hill Day bring trainees to Washington, D.C. to meet with members of Congress and advocate for sustained cancer research funding. (Read about the experience of one such trainee in this blog post by Natalie Snider-Hoy who shared what she learned by participating in 2025.) Leadership opportunities, including election to the AMC, enable trainees to contribute directly to the organization while developing communication and collaboration skills. AACR also encourages trainees to mentor future scientists through programs such as the AACR Undergraduate Student Caucus and Poster Competition and the AACR Special Program for High School Students, which will take place on April 18 and April 21, respectively, at the AACR Annual Meeting 2026.
4. Explore Funding Opportunities
AACR offers several funding mechanisms that support trainees throughout their research careers with opportunities to present their research, gain grant-writing experience, and advance their scientific training.
Travel awards and Scholar-in-Training Awards not only help offset travel costs to attend AACR meetings but also provide recognition for trainees’ research contributions. Funding opportunities are also available for specialized conferences and are typically listed on individual conference websites.
In addition, AACR supports international trainees through initiatives such as the Global Scholar-in-Training Awards (GSITA), which provide financial support to attend the Annual Meeting. The AACR Global Alumni Committee (GSAC) further helps international scientists with their career development and by strengthening their connections across the global cancer research community. (Members of GSAC shared how they are making an impact on GSITA alumni in this blog post following their one-year anniversary.)
5. Transform AACR Membership Into Community
Engaging with AACR provides graduate students with opportunities to build professional relationships that extend beyond individual meetings or events. Through conferences, workshops, and AACR initiatives, trainees connect with peers, mentors, and collaborators who share a common interest in advancing cancer research.
Graduate training can sometimes feel isolating, particularly when navigating research challenges and career decisions. But being part of the AACR community can transform this training period into a collaborative, supportive, and energizing experience. Over time, the AACR Annual Meeting becomes a place where researchers reconnect with colleagues, share discoveries, and celebrate progress in cancer research, and AACR membership becomes an enduring source of mentorship, collaboration, and scientific community.
