NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program

The NCI has formed a multilateral partnership with Ireland and Northern Ireland to promote cooperation in all aspects of cancer research, treatment, and prevention. As part of this Ireland-Northern Ireland-NCI Cancer Consortium, the NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program (CPFP) is now open to applicants from Ireland and Northern Ireland. It is intended that individuals applying through the Consortium will pursue careers in cancer prevention in Ireland or Northern Ireland upon completion of the fellowship.

The program aims to encourage successful applicants to pursue careers in cancer prevention and control on the island of Ireland. It equips participants to embark on such careers by giving them an opportunity to obtain a Masters in Public Health (M.P.H.) degree in Ireland/Northern Ireland in year one, followed by three years of mentored research in the NCI’s Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program in Washington, D.C. Fellows may apply for a fifth year of research funding to facilitate their return to Ireland/Northern Ireland to set up independent research in collaboration with an established mentor in Ireland/Northern Ireland.

To be eligible to apply through the Consortium, 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 the 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 Health Research Board (HRB) and the HSC Research & Development (R&D) Office 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/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 Office 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. Registration for the 2009 Fellowship Program is now open. The closing date for applications is 1 September 2008. Applicants should ensure that they allow sufficient time to obtain confirmation of eligibility and complete the online application prior to the deadline.

For further details on applying for the CPFP, please see the Guidance Notes. Additional information, including a link to the online application, is available at http://cancer.gov/prevention/pob/.

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Consortium Contact Information:

Health Research Board
Sallyann O' Brien, Ph.D.
Project Officer
Research Infrastructure and Special Initiatives Unit
Health Research Board
An Bord Taighde Sláinte
73 Lower Baggot Street
Dublin 2, Ireland
Phone: +353 1 2345 211
Fax: +353 1 6130179
E-mail: saobrien@hrb.ie
Website: http://www.hrb.ie

Health & Social Care Research & Development Office
Dr. Nicola Armstrong
Program Manager
12-22 Linenhall Street
Belfast BT2 8BS, Northern Ireland
Phone: 44-28-90553617
Fax: 44-28-90553674
E-mail: armstrongn@rdo.n-i.nhs.uk