Fellowship Description
The ASCO Cancer Foundation Long Term International Fellowship (LIFe) provides young oncologists in developing nations the support and resources needed to advance their training by deepening their relationship with a US or Canadian colleague and his or her institution. Through a one or two year fellowship the recipient will earn valuable training and experience with which they can affect change in cancer care in their home country. Recipients must return to their home institutions after completing their fellowship and are expected to disseminate the knowledge they have gained.
Three specific objectives have been identified for the Long Term International Fellowship Program
- Opportunity the recipient to gain research experience (laboratory, translational, or epidemiological)
- Opportunity for the recipient to observe clinical oncology practice in an academic center
- Development of a relationship for future collaboration between the host, the recipient, and their institutions
The ASCO Cancer Foundation currently has the following Long Term International Fellowship fellowships available for 2010.
- A one year Long Term International Fellowship fellowship available for a recipient from any country identified as World Bank income level low, lower middle, or upper middle.
- Additional Long Term International Fellowship fellowships will be added as funding becomes available.
The ASCO Cancer Foundation (TACF) will administer fundraising and grant distribution for the fellowships. Funds will be sent from TACF to the host institution in January of the award year. The host institution will then be responsible for financial management of the fellowship. Any funds not spent on the fellowship will be returned to TACF.
Recipients must attend the ASCO Annual Meeting that falls during the first year of their award term where they will be honored at The ASCO Cancer Foundation Grants Brunch. Recipients will also be expected to submit their research to ASCO via an abstract or publication submission following their fellowship.
Long Term International Fellowship (LIFe) Supporter:
Application Criteria
ASCO Long-term International Fellowship – ASCO LIFe Application Criteria
Hosts must
- Be an ASCO member in good standing
- Be employed at a US or Canadian institution with sufficient infrastructure to provide for a 1 year fellowship
- Independently identify fellowship applicants
- Agree to cover any costs in excess of ASCO’s contribution
- Complete the host section of the Long-term International Fellowship Application
- Complete fellowship evaluations as requested by ASCO
Applicants must
- Be an ASCO member in good standing
- Reside in a country identified by the World Bank as income level low, lower middle, and upper middle
- Have the support of their home institution including a letter of support from their supervisor
- Be a medical doctor who has finished a fellowship in clinical oncology or the equivalent
- Have less than 10 years experience in the field of oncology
- Complete the applicant section of the Long-term International Fellowship application including submission of a CV of up to 3 pages in length
- Commit to return to country of origin at the completion of their fellowship
Application
The 2010 Long-term International Fellowship application cycle is now closed. Applications for the 2011 cycle will be accepted beginning August 2010.
It is the responsibility of the host and applicant to develop a relationship and create a project plan which includes defined learning objectives. Collaboration in the development of a research plan is encouraged. Fellowships should be a combination of clinical training and clinical and laboratory research in accordance with institutional rules and regulations.
Hosts are encouraged to learn the local realities of their fellow’s home institution through a site visit or other research dependent on their own resources. The fellow applicant and the mentor host will submit a joint application to ASCO with both parts completed.
Applications were due to ASCO by October 15, 2009 for the fellowship to begin anytime in the calendar year 2010. Applications should be completed and returned jointly by the prospective host and fellow. A decision will be distributed by December 15, 2009.
Selection Criteria
The strongest consideration will be given to applications that demonstrate:
- High level of geographic need in applicants home country
- Accordance with geographical priority of financial sponsor (if applicable)
- Strong merit and potential of applicant including clinical training, board certification, scholarly activity (and limited international training)
- Fellowship plan which includes didactic opportunities (tumor board, research meeting) and clinical shadowing experience
- An applicable, achievable, and publishable research project
- Support from the home institution including ability to assist the applicant with implementing the results of the research project and to continue researching in the area of interest
- A host with strong academic and professional status and a background in the area of fellowship research focus who agrees to provide appropriate supervision to the applicant over the course of the fellowship
- A host institution with applicable academic focus, accreditation, and an active clinical fellowship program
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