NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program

Through the Consortium, NCI has partnered with Ireland and Northern Ireland to develop clinical and research capacity for cancer prevention on the island of Ireland. As part of this effort, the Office of International Affairs at NCI collaborates with the Health Research Board (HRB), the HSC Research & Development (R&D) Division, and the NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) to award 2-4 fellowships to the CPFP. Fellowships are awarded to qualified scientists from Ireland or Northern Ireland with the expectation that individuals selected will return to the island of Ireland to pursue careers in prevention upon completion of the program.

The program aims to encourage successful applicants to pursue careers in cancer prevention by providing funding for a Master of Public Health (M.P.H.) from an accredited university in Ireland or Northern Ireland. Fellows are then expected to complete three years of mentored research at the NCI in Bethesda, Maryland. Upon completion of the program, fellows may apply for an extra year of research funding to facilitate their return to the island of Ireland to set up independent research in collaboration with an established scientist.

To be eligible to apply, the applicant must:

• Possess a doctoral degree (M.D., Ph.D., J.D., or equivalent) or expect to complete the degree requirements by the start date of the fellowship. If the applicant already possesses an M.P.H. degree and a primary degree in a health-related discipline OR if the applicant possesses a Ph.D. in epidemiology or biostatistics, they can begin the fellowship directly at NCI for four years.
• Provide proof of Irish, U.K., or E.U. citizenship (birth certificate or passport) and proof of employment in Ireland/Northern Ireland. Applicants who are not citizens of Ireland, the U.K., or the E.U. must be able to provide a copy of their work permit and details of current employment on the island of Ireland.
• For Northern Ireland applicants: Be employed by Health and Social Care (HSC); by voluntary, not-for-profit organizations in Northern Ireland involved in health or social care provision; by Queens University, Belfast; or by the University of Ulster.
• Be able to demonstrate the benefits of the award in terms of research and career advancement.

All applicants must be eligible to obtain a visa to work for three years in the U.S. from the relevant U.S. Embassy or Consulate. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that he or she will be able to satisfy the visa requirements before submitting an application.

The HRB and the HSC R&D Division will provide funding for the first phase, to include salary at the relevant level based on national post-doctoral salary scales, M.P.H. costs, and travel. In the second through fourth years, NCI will fund the fellow's stipend, medical insurance, research, and travel and training costs, in accordance with current CPFP policies. Fellows may apply for a fifth year of research funding to facilitate their return to Ireland or Northern Ireland through independent research in collaboration with an established mentor.

CPFP applications must be sent directly to NCI through an online application form. However, applicants must first contact the HRB or HSC R&D Division to establish proof of eligibility and obtain an official tracking number to proceed with their online application. Once applicants have received their official tracking number, they may proceed with the NCI online application. Applicants should ensure that they allow sufficient time to obtain confirmation of eligibility and complete the online application prior to the deadline.

For additional information about the CPFP program, please visit http://www3.cancer.gov/prevention/pob/.