The mission of the Global Cancer Program at the UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center is to reduce the global cancer burden through innovative research, education, and collaboration. The 2026-27 Global Cancer Fellowship Program is designed to support the development of future leaders in global oncology through mentorship, training, and international collaboration.
Fellowship Program Goal
Develop Fellows into Independent Global Oncology Leaders: Equip fellows with the knowledge, skills, mentorship, and professional networks needed to design, lead, and advance cancer control efforts in low- and middle-income settings across domains such as research, program development, project implementation, policy, and advocacy.
Program Objectives
- Provide Structured, Longitudinal Mentorship: Offer multi-level mentorship from faculty mentors, peers, and global collaborators to support fellows’ professional goals, career development, and leadership growth during and beyond the fellowship period.
- Strengthen Applied Skills Relevant to Global Oncology Leadership: Deliver practice-based training in topics such as implementation science, grant development, scientific communication, leadership, and related areas through monthly live training sessions and UCSF coursework offerings.
- Facilitate Scholarly Exchange Through Monthly Future Global Cancer Leader Seminars: Create opportunities for fellows to present research, share ongoing projects, and receive feedback from faculty, peers, and the broader global oncology community.
- Build a Global Network of Collaborators in Cancer Control: Foster meaningful connections among fellows, alumni, faculty, and international partners to promote long-term collaboration, mentorship, and career opportunities in global oncology.
Fellowship Components
- Monthly live virtual professional development seminars
- Individualized mentorship and career development support through structured faculty and peer mentorship
- Access to UCSF coursework, specifically in research skills
- Participation in the monthly Future Global Cancer Leader Seminar Series
- Engagement in Fellowship alumni network
Eligibility Criteria
- Hold an M.D., Ph.D., Pharm.D., R.N., or equivalent professional or doctoral degree
- Be an early-career investigator who is either:
- in the final stages of clinical or research training, or
- within the early years of a faculty appointment
- Demonstrate a strong interest in global oncology research, cancer control, implementation science, education, policy, or capacity-building initiatives
- Be affiliated with UCSF or a Global Cancer Program international partner institution: priority will be given to applicants from the three GCP Hubs (Tanzania, Mexico, Vietnam), however applicants from other countries are encourage to apply and will be considered.
- Demonstrate institutional support for career development and participation in the Fellowship.
Application Instructions
Applications for the 2026 Global Cancer Fellows cohort are due by June 30, 2026. To apply, please submit the following materials to [email protected]:
1. Personal Statement (Do not exceed 1000 words)
- Please describe how your career goals relate to global cancer control
- Describe your previous involvement with relevant coursework, clinical work, research, program or policy development.
- Please state why you are interested in an international mentored global oncology training experience and how this program will contribute to your professional advancement.
2. Career Development Plan & Coursework (Do not exceed 1000 words)
- Briefly describe your Career Developmental Plan including anticipated coursework and mentoring plan.
- Please highlight if there is UCSF coursework that can advance your career goals, as it is possible to enroll in coursework at UCSF. Example coursework and training resources include:
- Advanced Training in Clinical Research Courses
- CTSI Training in Implementation Science courses
The applicant must identify which course(s) would be of interest and demonstrate time available to take the courses. We have learned that these courses are very labor intensive and most people can only manage 1 course/semester on top of existing commitments.
3. Project Proposal (Do not exceed 1000 words)
- Please provide a summary of a cancer control project that you will be focusing on during the duration of the mentorship program. This could be any form of cancer control initiative, including program development/implementation, research/evaluation, training, policy, or other project related to cancer control in LMICs. Briefly describe your project proposal and a summary of methodological approach. Please include both short-term and long-term objectives for your project, including what you hope to accomplish over the course of the 12-month program.
4. Letters of Support
- Please provide a Letter of Support from a mentor at your home institution, with a statement of commitment to providing mentorship for research and continued investment in your research career development.
5. Please submit your CV or NIH-style Biosketch with the application.
Current Global Cancer Fellows
Learn more about our current Global Cancer Fellows here!