About the Program
SCEP focuses on career direction, strategic professional relationships, leadership and influence, communication and collaboration, professional visibility, adaptability, resilience, and continued professional growth.
Throughout the six-month experience, participants build on each session, make connections across the program, and apply new insights and strategies in their current roles and ongoing growth. Through interactive sessions, professional assessments, peer learning, reflection, and practical application, participants set aside time to step back from day-to-day responsibilities and intentionally focus on an important project—their own professional development.
Participants identify an individual professional development goal early in the program and take meaningful action toward it throughout the SCEP experience. The program concludes with a capstone and the development of a 12-Month Career Action Plan to support continued growth beyond SCEP.
Is SCEP Right for You?
SCEP may be a good fit if you are an NCI Staff Scientist or Staff Clinician who wants to:
- Be more intentional about your professional development and career direction.
- Better understand and apply your strengths.
- Build strategic professional relationships across NCI and NIH.
- Strengthen your ability to lead and influence without formal authority.
- Increase self-awareness and communicate and collaborate more effectively with others.
- Increase your professional visibility and articulate your value.
- Strengthen your adaptability and resilience in a changing professional environment.
- Explore career paths and possibilities for your continued professional growth.
- Create a plan for continued professional development.
Program Schedule
The 2027 SCEP program will run from January 22 through June 18, 2027. Regular sessions are held on Fridays from 9:30–11:30 a.m. ET and are offered virtually or in person at the NCI Shady Grove campus. The combination of in-person and virtual sessions is intentional and based on the learning objectives and activities for each session.
| Date | Session | Format |
|---|---|---|
| January 22 | Leading from Your Strengths | In person |
| February 5 | Career Direction and Professional Growth | In person |
| February 19 | Building Strategic Relationships at NIH | Virtual |
| March 5 | Leading Without Formal Authority | In person |
| March 19 | Building Confidence Through Influence | In person |
| April 9 | Building Your Personal Brand – Part I | Virtual |
| April 23 | Building Your Personal Brand – Part II | In person |
| May 7 | Navigating Change with Agility | Virtual |
| May 21 | Exploring Next Steps | Virtual |
| June 18 | Graduation | In person |
Program Commitment
Professional development requires an investment of time and active participation. SCEP is an interactive cohort experience, and participants are expected to attend and actively participate in all in-person and virtual sessions.
Participants should review the complete program schedule before applying and consider the time needed to participate fully in sessions and apply what they learn between sessions.
Applicants are encouraged to discuss their interest in SCEP and the program time commitment with their supervisor before applying. A formal supervisor endorsement is not required for the application or selection process.
How to Apply
Applications for the 2027 SCEP cohort will be accepted October 19–November 20, 2026.
Applications are not yet open. Please check back on October 19 to apply.
Application Requirements
Applicants will be asked to:
- Provide basic professional information.
- Provide a brief summary of their current role, primary responsibilities, and relevant professional experiences.
- Respond to three questions about their interest in SCEP, professional development needs, and how they hope to apply what they learn. Responses are limited to 250 words per question.
- Confirm that they have reviewed the program schedule and can commit to actively participating in SCEP.
Selection
Up to 15 NCI Staff Scientists and Staff Clinicians will be selected for the 2027 SCEP cohort. Applicants can expect to be notified of their selection status by mid-December.
Questions
For questions about SCEP, contact: NCISCEP@nih.gov