The Interdisciplinary Training in Cancer Research Program (IDTG) was established to foster collaboration between disciplines through interdivisional education and training.
We train young scientists to design and conduct research on significant problems in cancer by combining information and approaches from basic cellular and molecular biology, epidemiology, clinical trials and studies, and behavioral-social sciences. Our program helps researchers excel in the increasingly complex and specialized environments required for future cancer research. Trainee research projects typically transcend the traditional boundaries separating the molecular and cellular, clinical, epidemiologic and social cancer sciences. Research project topics include studies of molecular and cellular mechanisms, detection and diagnosis, risk and behavioral factors that influence cancer incidence, development and assessment of treatment strategies, and studies of cancer outcomes. Projects with a focus on infectious agents clearly explain the relevance of the proposed studies to the incidence of cancers associated with that agent.
Trainees work with two mentors who provide distinct, complementary areas of expertise, for example, by studying basic molecular and cellular mechanisms in combination with epidemiological analyses, or by participating in clinical research studies while studying behavioral or environmental factors that influence therapeutic outcomes.
The program supports 10 trainees each year. Eight of the trainees are appointed to a National Cancer Institute (NCI) training grant (T32 CA080416) and two additional trainees are supported by the Fred Hutch using funds provided by an endowment initiated by the Hearst Foundations.
Required programmatic activities include, but are not limited to, monthly trainee meetings, an annual colloquium and lunch with a program-hosted Current Biology Seminar Series speaker.
Training Grant Positions: A Ruth L. Kirschstein National Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant awarded to the University of Washington by the National Cancer Institute. The grant is administered jointly by UW and Fred Hutch and includes four predoctoral slots and four postdoctoral slots.
Open to pre- and postdoctoral trainees at UW and Fred Hutch who are eligible for Kirchstein-NRSA support. Each trainee must be a citizen of the United States, a non-citizen national, or must have been lawfully admitted for permanent residence and possess an Alien Registration Receipt Card (1-151 or 1-551) or some other verification of legal admission as a permanent resident.
- Initial appointments to the grant are 12-24 months long. Trainees must competitively reapply for additional periods of funding. The standard appointment period is December 1–November 30.
- Stipends (Kirstchstein-NRSA) and benefits are UW-based (Fred Hutch postdocs will remain Fred Hutch employees and receive their benefits from Fred Hutch).
- In-state tuition (operating fee, 10 credits F/W/S, 2 credits SU) is covered at approximately 60% for predoctoral trainees.
- Mentors are responsible for covering any shortfalls in trainee costs.
- Mentors can be based at UW, Fred Hutch, and/or Seattle Childrens; however, both mentors must have appointments with the University of Washington.
Fred Hutch-Funded Positions: These institutional funds bolster the overall training program and complement the training grant by allowing us to increase the total number of trainees and support trainees who are not eligible for training grant support.
Open to pre- and postdoctoral trainees. Trainees and primary mentors must be based at Fred Hutch. There is no citizenship requirement.
- Initial appointments are 12-24 months long. Trainees must competitively reapply for additional periods of funding. The standard appointment period is December 1–November 30.
- Predoctoral salaries are equivalent to UW’s School of Medicine rates. Postdoctoral salaries are supported up per the Kirschstein-NRSA postdoctoral scale.
- Tuition is covered but grad student stipend + tuition may not exceed the Kirschstein-NRSA postdoctoral stipend level 2.
- Mentors are responsible for covering any shortfalls in trainee costs.
We especially welcome applications from underrepresented individuals, individuals with disabilities and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
I am interested in the program and want to apply. When are you accepting applications?
We update the website, post flyers, and send announcements across departments/divisions several weeks prior to the deadline. The initial Call for Applications is typically distrubted in mid-July and the application deadline is typically early September.
Do I need to submit applications to both funding sources or identify a funding source for consideration?
No. Only one application is required for consideration for both funding sources. Program leadership will evaluate positions available and applicant eligibility when reviewing applications.
I am a foreign national with a student visa. Can I apply?
The Fred Hutch-funded positions in the program do not have citizenship requirements; however, applicants must be based at Fred Hutch.
Can staff scientists apply?
Training grants provide support for graduate students and postdocs in their training phase. Staff scientists are no longer in the training phase and cannot apply.
What is the time commitment of the program?
Trainees are generally appointed to the program for at least 12-months, with opportunities to re-apply for further funding. They must dedicate at least 40 hours per week (full-time effort) to the program.
I am looking for support for a few months in between fellowships. Can I apply?
The program does not support short-term training.
I am not able to start an appointment on December 1. Can I still apply?
Please consult with the program's administrator regarding your specific situation before applying.
Kirschstein-NRSA awards provide stipends. What is the difference between stipend and salary?
A stipend is not "salary" and is not provided as a condition of employment with either the Federal government or the recipient organization. See NIH Grants Policy Statement 11.3.8.2. Please contact your local IRS office if you have questions about stipend tax applicability and obligations.
What is the difference between stipend supplementation and additional compensation?
See NIH Grants Policy Statement 11.3.10.
Date | Time | Location | Activity |
January 16 | 12-230pm | Pelton Auditorium | Current Biology Seminar & Lunch with Dr. Christophe Benoist, Harvard University |
January 22 | 1-2pm | FH: A2M-025 | New Trainees Meeting: Introductions, Hutch Resources & IDPs |
| February 12 | 1-2pm | UW: J-406 | Trainee Meeting: Saumya Jani & Matthew Chan |
February 28 |
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| Individual Development Plans Due |
| March 18 | 11am-12pm 1pm-2pm | A1M-025 | Trainee Meeting: Dr. Brett Chevalier, Chief Scientist, Anterra Capital, Inc. Two Presentations - 11am & 1pm: Em Keith Lowe for Zoom Link |
| April 15 | 1-2pm | FH: A2M-025 | Trainee Meeting: Juliana Young & Tran Nguyen |
| May 20 | 1-2pm | FH: A1M-025 | Trainee Meeting: Kelly Heard & Sarah Huang |
| June 1 |
|
| Progress Reports Due |
September 30 | 1-2pm | FH: A2M-025 | Trainee Meeting: Jobelle Peralta & Maria Purice |
October 28 | 1-2pm | UW: J-406 | Trainee Meeting: Irina Kopyeva & Lindsey Moore |
November 15 | 12-4pm | D1-080/084 | Annual Colloquium |
Other Requirements
Responsible Conduct of Research: To learn more, visit the University of Washington's Biomedical Research Integrity Program site or Fred Hutch's Research Ethics Education Program site (requires login).
Seminars: Trainees are highly encouraged to attend Fred Hutch's Translational Research Program seminar series and Current Biology seminar series.
Science Writing Workshops: TBD
No applications will be accepted in 2024
Instructions
- Complete the application form and include your biosketch, research proposal, and both mentor's biosketches and their letters.
- Combine all application components into a single PDF with the naming structure "Last name, first_IDTG-Application_Date.pdf"
- Email your complete application to the IDTG Program Administrator.
Application Form
The 2023 IDTG Application deadline is Friday, September 8, 2023. Email the completed application, research proposal, mentors biosketches & letters to Keith Lowe.
Application Components
| Biosketch | Provide details of your academic training and any relevant research and work experience. Please use the fellowship version of the NIH biosketch format. |
| Research Proposal | Describe how your proposed research project relates to cancer biology. For research involving infectious agents, explicitly describe the relevance of the proposed studies to cancers associated with that agent. Summarize how the research focuses on an important, currently unanswered question. Indicate why and how the answer to that problem would lead to new areas of investigation or otherwise significantly affect the field. Describe your training goals and the exact nature of the interdisciplinary training as part of your research plan. Discuss the theories, approaches, scientific and non-technical skills, etc. you will learn or enhance during your time in the program. Avoid providing excessive experimental details. Explain why each mentor is necessary for your training plan and detail their roles in the proposed research.
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| Mentor Biosketches & Letters | Letters and current NIH-formatted biosketches are required from both mentors. The letters should:
The primary mentor should also confirm they have sufficient and appropriate funding to cover shortfalls in trainee costs, such as supplies, equipment, and/or other research expenses; additional compensation or supplementation; tuition and benefits. While additional letters of recommendation are not required, post-doctoral applicants may submit one additional letter from their primary Ph.D. thesis advisor, if desired. Mentors may submit letters directly to the program’s administrator. If they do, applicants must indicate this in the last section of the application form under “Additional Comments.” |
All peer-reviewed articles resulting from research supported in whole or in part with direct costs from NIH must be compliant with the NIH Public Access Policy and must include an acknowledgement of NIH award support, for example: Research reported in this publication was supported by the National Cancer Institute of the National Institutes of Health under award number T32CA080416.
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