CPRIT Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Prevention

The application is now closed. The following dates are relevant to the previous application cycle.

• Applicants must have already earned a doctoral degree in health science or related disciplines by the application deadline.
• May be from backgrounds in the basic biomedical sciences, medicine, biomedical statistics, epidemiology, behavioral and social sciences, nursing, and related public health disciplines.
• The proposed research project must be related to cancer prevention.
• This fellowship is available without regard to the applicant’s U.S. citizenship status. International applicants must have a valid visa that can accomodate two years of training at MD Anderson. 

The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) Fellowship in Cancer Prevention Research is funded for one year and may be renewed for a second year pending research progress and availability of funds.

Postdoctoral stipends are $53,760 and may be subject to a one-time raise, after the first appointment year, if approved by the mentor.  Fringe benefits include health insurance, paid institutional holidays, and annual and sick leave. 

Phase 1:  Initial Application

To apply, launch the application in the DISCOVER system using the link located at the top of this web page. There are 3 steps required in the DISCOVER system:

• Step 1: Download the application instructions and checklist located at the top of this page.
• Step 2: Use the application link to create a New DISCOVER application (similar to a job application).
• Step 3: Upload all required supporting documents. These documents cannot be uploaded until Step 2 is complete.
• Step 4: Request approximately three (3) letters of recommendation.  

All applications will be reviewed by our Advisory Committee and successful applicants will be invited to Phase 2.

Phase 2:  Invitation to Submit Research and Career Proposal

Successful applicants from Phase I will be invited to submit a Research and Career Proposal via email. The proposal will be reviewed by the CPRTP Advisory Committee, along with other subject matter experts.  Suggestions may be provided for improving the proposal.  Funding for the fellowship is contingent upon proposal approval by the Advisory Committee and Program Directors and processing of appointment paperwork (e.g. visa sponsorship forms, immunization, criminal background check) by the MD Anderson Research Trainee Programs (RTP) and Visa and Immigration Services Administration. For additional details, read these Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) of Postdoctoral Applicants.

Participating Mentors 

Applicants are encouraged to use the Participating Faculty Mentors List to identify mentors at MD Anderson Cancer Center and our partnering institutions: Rice University, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, and UTHealth. This comprehensive list includes the name and credentials of the faculty, along with a link to their faculty bio, keywords describing their research, email address, and office phone number.

How to Find Co-Mentors

Additional co-mentors are permitted and may have appointments in:

• Other MD Anderson departments outside of the DCPPS. Use the MD Anderson Faculty Search Tool. 
• Other non-partnering institutions, as long as the mentor requirements below have been met. 

Mentor Requirements

1. This program requires a minimum of two mentors with complementary research expertise in different disciplines.

2. At least one mentor must have a faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor level or higher within the Division of Cancer Prevention and Population Sciences (DCPPS) at MD Anderson. Faculty conducting cancer prevention research are concentrated within the five (5) departments below. Use the links to search for faculty and call the MD Anderson switchboard at 1-800-889-2094, if there is no contact number listed.  NOTE: Due to administrative requirements, trainees' paid appointments as postdoctoral fellows are made at MD Anderson, in the department of the main MD Anderson mentor (Assistant Professor level or higher). 

1. Behavioral Science 
2. Health Disparities Research 
3. Clinical Cancer Prevention 
4. Epidemiology
5. Health Services Research
   

3. At least one MD Anderson mentor must subsidize year two (2) of the fellowship appointment and supplement expenses. 

4. Preference will be given to applications that include at least one faculty mentor from one or more of our four (4) partnering institutions below. Applicants must indicate on the application checklist in DISCOVER, the name of the main mentor from the partnering institution. Use the CPRIT participating mentors list or the institution pages below and search by department name, research discipline, or faculty name, if known. 

1. Rice University
2. Texas A&M University
3. University of Houston
4. UT Health (not School of Public Health)

5. At least one mentor’s expertise must be based in quantitative methodology.