The two-year Cancer-PREP program is for post-baccalaureate students and aims to prepare them for a career in cancer prevention, basic cancer or translational research.

The program will have a significant impact in bringing new perspectives and voices to solving critical needs in cancer research and treatment.

The Cancer-PREP program is funded by a grant from the American Cancer Society.

American Cancer Society logo

The Cancer-PREP experience will provide fellows with a unique combination of career-development and confidence-building opportunities. Cancer-PREP will examine state-of-the-art research technologies and ethical issues related to biomedical research. Cancer-PREP fellows can expect to have a comprehensive experience through:

  • acquiring hypothesis generation and problem-solving skills
  • contributing significantly to biomedical and community-based research
  • working within a mentoring dyad, preparatory series on graduate and professional school success
  • cohort-building activities

Cancer-PREP will offer unique opportunities to grow a skilled workforce in cancer research and health fields that reflects New Mexico’s communities, serves New Mexicans with passion and commitment, and improves access to cancer care in the state.

Rolling Applications Invited! You may apply at any time.

To Apply, email the following to UNMCCC-Training@salud.unm.edu:

  • 1-Page Essay Describing Your Career Plans
  • 1-Page Essay on either a) a recent scientific advance which fascinated the applicant or b) a current cancer-related problem that the applicant would hope one day to solve
  • Unofficial College Transcript
  • 2 letters of recommendation
  • Selection of up 3 potential research mentors at UNM

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants must:

  • Have a Bachelor's degree in any STEM discipline (science, technology, engineering, or mathematics) or health profession
  • Agree to participate in the post-baccalaureate program full-time and cannot be simultaneously enrolled full-time in a graduate degree program
  • Demonstrate a passion for cancer research and commit to the 2-year program
  • Cancer-PREP Scholars eligibility is guided by the NIH definition of underrepresented minorities in science

Scholars receive a stipend of at least $35,000 a year. Scholars may also receive additional funds to:

  • Travel to professional meetings
  • Cover application fees
  • Offset health insurance coverage

Selected scholars will receive interview invitations via email in March/April for July start dates.

If you have any questions, please reach out to MWingo@salud.unm.edu.


For more information, please contact the Cancer-PREP Administrative team at UNMCCC-Training@salud.unm.edu.

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