Cancer Research Postbac (CRP) Program

Male scientist on a computer next to a female scientist — Credit: iStock

THE APPLICATION CYCLE FOR THE 2024 CRP PROGRAM IS OPEN THROUGH JANUARY 17

The Cancer Research Postbac (CRP) program (formerly known as Introduction to Cancer Research Careers) provides recent college graduates the opportunity to complete a paid postbaccalaureate fellowship at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). Candidates will have the ability to spend up to 2 years conducting full-time research in basic and clinical research, cancer epidemiology and genetics research, cancer control science, or global health.

Similar to the general NCI Postbac Program, CRP Fellows are expected to spend 40 hours a week conducting research, attending meetings with their research group, and participating in related workshops. However, CRP aims to provide valuable professional development designed to advance your career in biomedical research. The CRP cohort meets monthly, as well as quarterly with postbacs in similar programs across the NIH which builds a sense of community and extends networking opportunities. Fellows are also eligible to receive travel support to attend a scientific conference to further enhance their postbac experience.

I joined the program because I desired to join a collaborative community where I would interact with mentors and colleagues who could help me develop professionally and personally on my journey toward becoming a physician-scientist. The program has provided innumerable resources that have allowed me to make long-lasting connections, attend informative conferences, and learn cutting-edge lab skills to conduct translational research.

Deanna Riley, CRP Fellow

Benefits of a CRP Fellow

Sense of community with CRP cohort
Receive a travel award to encourage presentation of your work at a national meeting
Professional and career development opportunities to prepare you for medical school or graduate school
Access to additional training, courses, and workshops to facilitate your project goals

Training at NCI makes individuals highly competitive for future academic or job pursuits. Many of our CRP Fellows desire to go to medical or graduate school. In combination with the other NIH offerings, our fellows receive application and interview support and are successful at achieving their goals. After completing their postbac, CRP Fellows have typically gone on to complete graduate school or medical school or have entered the scientific workforce.

The application cycle is now OPEN through January 17, 2024.

How to Apply

Information on eligibility, and the application and selection processes can be found at Train at NCI. NCI is committed to training the next generation of scientific leaders, and it is crucial that this reflects the diversity of the population it serves. Candidates from backgrounds underrepresented in biomedical research (NOT-OD-20-031) are strongly encouraged to apply.

For Additional Information

If you have questions about the program or application process, please contact ncicrp@nih.gov.

I applied to the program to explore my research without the resource limitations that I faced in my undergraduate studies. I knew that joining the program would expose me to innovative cancer biology techniques, allow me to be trained by expert scientists, and give me time to develop my career.

Julie Lee, CRP Fellow

Eight people standing next to each other and smiling at the camera — The 2022 cohort of fellows meet with Tom Misteli, Ph.D., CCR Director. Pictured left to right: Isabella Church, Natalia Garcia Dutton, Valeria Velez Galiano, Deanna Riley, Tom Misteli, Ph.D., Victoria Alfano, Elizabeth Lopez and Lynn Fu.

Fellows practicing their 3-minute talks in preparation for Poster Day — Fellows practicing 3-minute talks in preparation for Poster Day.