FAQs: ACS Cancer Research High School Program

The goal of the American Cancer Society (ACS) Innovation in Cancer Research (CICR) High School Program is to expose high school students to research as well as careers in cancer research and oncology care via a virtual platform. Students also develop a broad, diverse professional network with fellow participants and professionals.

The 2-week virtual program occurs each year in July. 

ACS will monitor the program on an ongoing basis. Each institution hosting the ACS Cancer Research High  School Program will be required to disseminate evaluations throughout the program and provide the ACS with de-identified, aggregated data. ACS will utilize this data to modify the program as needed.

To apply and be eligible for funding, institutions must:

• Be in the United States and have undergraduate and graduate degree-granting programs, professional degree-granting programs, or be an eligible nonprofit institution with a current letter from the Internal Revenue Service conferring nonprofit status with academic affiliations. 
• Have evidence of an active cancer research program with a track record of extramural funding and publications in peer-reviewed journals.
• Have documentation of the appropriate resources and infrastructure to support the proposed grant, including its financial management and management of its research subjects.
• Have experience with Pathways programs and have held an ACS institutional grant (ACS IRG, CHERC, ACS Cancer Research Internship, Post-Baccalaureate Fellows), NIH institutional grant, or similar grants.

ACS Cancer Research High School Program institutions may request support for up to 20 students for the project period. 

Interested institutions may email CancerResearchTraining@cancer.org

The ACS CICR team will invite eligible institutions to apply for the ACS Cancer Research Program through ProposalCentral. 

• New application deadline: April 1 (Spring cycle)
• Renewal application deadline: October 15 (Fall cycle) 

The ACS Cancer Research High School Program peer review committee convenes in January and June to review all submitted applications. 

April applicants receive notice of funding decisions in August.

October applicants receive notice of funding decisions in April. 

Institutions are funded up to $25K for a 1-year project period. This includes stipend allowance of $500 per trainee for up to 20 students.

The balance of the award may be used for other associated programmatic costs including up to $10,000 for staff support, career development and networking activities, and team building.

No.

PIs must: 

• Work at a US academic institution or eligible nonprofit
• Be a full-time faculty member
• Be an Assistant, Associate or Full Professor
• Have a track record of extramural cancer research or training funding
• Have a track record of mentoring
• Have publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Have administrative/leadership experience (such as deputy director or director of a program, center, or department)

No. ACS funds a single institution and a single PI. Although we do not allow multiple PIs, institutions may have other doctoral-level faculty help lead the program.

No. Admission to participate in this high school program requires an application to an institution with an active Cancer Research High School Program funded by the ACS. View a list of those current institutions.

Yes. Accepted students receive a $500 stipend for the 2-weeks (part-time) they participate in the summer cancer research experience.

No academic credit is awarded for the completion of this summer program.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must be:

• Rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors with an interest in any STEM discipline
• At least 16 years old when the program starts
• Full-time students who are not enrolled in summer courses that interfere with the ACS Cancer Research High School Program