FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship
The application period for the FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship 2026-2027 will open on June 15 and close August 3. The below information has been updated for the 2026-2027 fellowship year. Please find the application below under the “Applying” header on June 15.
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
The FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship is a program for early-career cancer researchers and clinicians designed to increase their experience with and interest in oncology drug development and regulatory review processes. This is facilitated through targeted educational activities and interactions with experts from the AACR and the FDA Oncology Center of Excellence.
Over the course of one year, fellows will participate in monthly virtual educational events on topics which will include but are not limited to: INDs, NDAs/BLAs, expedited pathways, new approach methodologies, clinical pharmacology, biostatistics, clinical trial design, oncology endpoints, 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 also be provided with travel and lodging assistance to attend two in-person events: the AACR Annual Meeting in April 2027 in Orlando, Florida, and Project ODAC Odyssey in May 2027 at the FDA White Oak Campus. Fellowship activities at the AACR Annual Meeting will include a small number of required sessions in our Regulatory Science and Policy Track and a “Meet and Greet” with FDA staff, among other engagements. Project ODAC Odyssey, the fellowship’s capstone project, will involve fellows developing and leading a mock meeting of the FDA Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee. Program participants are required to attend all sessions in full, barring emergencies.
TESTIMONIALS
Video Testimonials from Previous Classes of Fellows:
Selected Testimonials from the 2025-2026 Class of Fellows:
“The AACR-FDA Fellowship was a career-defining experience. It provided unparalleled, behind-the-scenes insight into the intersection of oncology, drug regulation, and policy. It bridges the critical gap between clinical research and regulatory decision-making, and I highly recommend it to any fellow looking to make a broader impact in the field.”
“As someone who is passionate about drug discovery, this Fellowship provided invaluable insight into the dynamic oncology regulatory process, equipping me with practical expertise to advance my career.”
“Overall, I leave the FDA–AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship extremely grateful, confident that the knowledge and connections gained here will support my career and future endeavors. For anyone thinking about applying, I would say: do not hesitate, go ahead with the application. You will not regret it.”
Additional Information – A Special Report in Clinical Cancer Research:
Reflections and Roadmaps: Career Development beyond the FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship.
ELIGIBILITY
The FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship is open to early-career cancer researchers and/or clinicians who have earned an advanced degree (DO, MD, MD/PhD, PhD, PharmD, etc.) within the past 10 years. Current or pending AACR membership is required to apply. 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 events is the responsibility of the fellow.
APPLYING
Interested candidates must complete the application process on or before the application deadline (August 3, 11:59 p.m. EST). The application for the 2026-2027 year of the fellowship will be linked here on June 15.
Application Process
- Online Application. The online application form will be made available on June 15 (see above), and must be completed by August 3. The application requires the submission of a curriculum vitae, a short bio (250 words max), and a statement of interest (300 words max). The NIH Biographical Sketch format will not be accepted as a CV.
- Letters of Recommendation. Applicants should submit two letters of recommendation (two-page maximum for each). Both recommendation letters should be sent to [email protected] by the applicant in a single email with the subject line “(Applicant name) 2026-2027 FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship”. 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. Letters will generally not be accepted after the application deadline. If letters must be submitted after the application deadline due to extenuating circumstances, please contact us ahead of time.
TIMELINE
- June 15: Application period opens
- August 3: All application materials must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. EST
- September: Selected fellows notified
- October: Fellowship formally begins
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as “early-career?”
For the purposes of this fellowship, “early-career” individuals have received their terminal advanced degree within the past 10 years and are currently working full-time 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 generally not eligible for the FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship, although some extenuating circumstances may apply. For example, if you received a terminal degree within the last 10 years and entered a subsequent degree-granting program, you are eligible. Please contact us at [email protected] 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, PharmD, MD/PhD, or other equivalent degrees are eligible to apply. If you have questions about your specific degree and circumstances, contact us at [email protected] 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 membership application is required to submit a fellowship application.
Can I submit application materials as I complete them, or should I submit everything together?
All materials aside from letters of recommendation should be submitted in the application survey. Please submit letters of recommendation as one email to [email protected] by August 3, 2026. All emails should use “(Applicant name) 2026-2027 FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship” as the subject line. If letters must be submitted after the deadline due to extenuating circumstances, please contact us ahead of time.
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 with missing or incomplete materials.
How many fellows will be selected for the FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship?
We have previously accepted 20 fellows in each class and expect to continue accepting similar numbers.
What is the selection process like?
Applications are first reviewed for completeness; incomplete applications will not be considered. A selection committee comprising FDA and AACR staff with experience in drug development and the regulatory 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 five hours per month, including a three hour-long monthly virtual meeting and two hours of preparation ahead of these monthly meetings. Fellows are also expected to attend the AACR Annual Meeting, which lasts 5 days in April 2027, as well as the additional 1-day in-person Project ODAC Odyssey capstone project in May 2027.
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. Instead, fellows will be provided with travel and lodging assistance to attend the AACR Annual Meeting 2027 and Project ODAC Odyssey. In the past, this has covered the vast majority of expenses for all fellows. However, depending on home location, fellows’ choice of accommodations, and how early fellows book flights and accommodations, the provided travel assistance may not cover all expenses. All financial assistance will be provided as a reimbursement. If you have any financial questions or concerns, please reach out to [email protected].
What is the fellowship schedule?
Tentatively, the below dates and times will be when fellowship activities take place. Other optional professional development opportunities may also become available to fellows. If you know you will be unavailable for any of the below dates but are still interested in applying, please reach out to us at [email protected].
Icebreaker event (virtual): Wednesday, October 14, 2026, 3:00 PM-4:00 PM (ET)
Session 1 (virtual): Tuesday, October 27, 2026, 1:00 PM-4:00 PM (ET)
Session 2 (virtual): Wednesday, November 18, 2026, 12:00 PM-3:00 PM (ET)
Session 3 (virtual): Wednesday, December 16, 2026, 12:00 PM-3:00 PM (ET)
Session 4 (virtual): Wednesday, January 13, 2027, 12:00 PM-3:00 PM (ET)
Session 5 (virtual): Wednesday, February 10, 2027, 12:00 PM-3:00 PM (ET)
Session 6 (virtual): Wednesday, March 10, 2027, 12:00 PM-3:00 PM (ET)
AACR Annual Meeting 2027 (in-person in Orlando, FL): Friday, April 2, 2027 to Wednesday, April 7, 2027
Session 7 (virtual): Wednesday, April 14, 2027, 12:00 PM-4:00 PM (ET)
Project ODAC Odyssey (in-person at FDA White Oak Campus): Wednesday, May 19, 2027