The major activity for Cancer Prevention Fellows is mentored research. All fellows are expected to develop original scientific projects and to report their findings at scientific meetings and in leading journals. Fellows select preceptors, who guide and enrich the fellow’s experience, from skilled investigators across all NCI divisions or participating FDA centers. Over 100 NCI staff members have served as preceptors.
During their first summer onsite at NCI, fellows spend time meeting with potential preceptors. A mutual agreement is reached between the preceptor and the fellow on the research that will be completed during the fellowship. A research proposal for the initial project is then prepared for approval by the preceptor and the CPFP scientific staff. Whereas the CPFP has all administrative responsibility for each fellow, the preceptor provides scientific supervision. Preceptors are responsible for arranging for office space, supplies, and equipment; encouraging presentations and publications at local and national meetings; and providing supplemental travel or training funds for research-related activities.
Some of the NCI divisions, programs, laboratories, branches, and offices from which Cancer Prevention Fellows may select their preceptors include:
- Center for Cancer Research
- Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences
- Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics
- Division of Cancer Prevention
FDA preceptors may be found through the NCI-FDA Joint Training in Cancer Prevention.
Research opportunities include, but are not limited to:
- Bioengineering
- Biomarker development
- Chemoprevention
- Clinical cancer prevention
- Epidemiology
- Health communication
- Health disparities and special populations
- Health services research
- Implementation science
- Informatics and big data
- Laboratory-based research
- Nutrition
- Screening and early detection
- Social and behavioral science
- Statistical or other types of quantitative methodology