In This Section

FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship

The application period for the 2025-2026 FDA-AACR Oncology Educational Fellowship is now open!

Apply here! The application will close on August 1, 2025 at 11:59PM EST.

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 two in-person events: the AACR Annual Meeting in San Diego, CA, April 17-22, 2026, and Project ODAC Odyssey in May 2026 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 Oncology Drugs Advisory Committee.

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

TESTIMONIALS

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, or PhD, etc) within the past 10 years. Current or pending AACR membership is a 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 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. EST). The application is linked here.

Application Process

  • Online Application. The online application form is now available (see above). 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) 2025 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 not be accepted after the application deadline.

TIMELINE

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

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 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, or MD/PhD 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 application is required to submit an 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 1, 2025. All emails should use “(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 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 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 2026.
  • 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. Fellows will be provided with travel and lodging assistance to attend the AACR Annual Meeting 2026 and Project ODAC Odyssey. Financial assistance will be provided as a reimbursement.