The Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (CPRTP) Summer Research Program, funded by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), offers paid summer internships to undergraduate, graduate, and health professional students interested in cancer prevention research.
Donor Name: National Cancer Institute (NCI)
State: Texas
City: Houston
Type of Grant: Program
Deadline: 01/14/2026
Size of the Grant: Not Available
Grant Duration: Less than 1 Year
Details:
The Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (CPRTP) Summer Research Program is funded by a grant award from the National Cancer Institute-NCI (R25 CA056452, Dr. Shine Chang, Principal Investigator). The program awards paid summer internships to undergraduate, graduate, and health professional students interested in cancer prevention research.
Students conduct research using emerging science and cutting-edge technologies; interact with faculty and other summer interns; explore the possibility of a career in science; and engage in a robust curriculum of seminars in cancer prevention, career development, and scientific communication.
At the program’s conclusion, students hone their scientific communication skills by presenting their research findings in a 90-second oral elevator speech presentation and scientific poster. Summer alums benefit from collaboration with summer faculty mentors, submit publications to leading cancer research journals, and present their summer research projects at local, national, and international conferences. Summer alumni have launched successful careers in cancer prevention research and related disciplines.
Efforts in cancer prevention and control aim to reduce cancer incidence, recurrence, progression, and the associated adverse effects of cancer. Prevention, which involves stopping cancer from happening in the first place, is the most cost-effective, long-term strategy for the control of cancer. Cancer prevention and control researchers conduct observational and interventional studies aimed at intercepting causes at all stages of the cancer process—from early prevention to survivorship. Studies target cancer risk factors such as:
- Tobacco
- Alcohol
- Physical inactivity, dietary factors, obesity, and being overweight
- Infections, e.g., HPV, hepatitis B
- Environmental pollution, e.g., outdoor & indoor air pollution
- Occupational carcinogens, e.g., asbestos, benzene
- Radiation, e.g., UV/solar radiation, x-rays
Benefits
- These benefits are paid for by National Cancer Institute (NCI) grant to support the CPRTP Program.
- Students do not receive the money directly but may request to use these funds.
- The CPRTP Program Manager will provide detailed instructions before and after the program begins.
- Research Support
- Complimentary Airfare to Houston
- Housing Assistance
Eligibility Criteria
- Must be a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident and legally approved to be in the United States during the entire length of the summer program.
- Must be enrolled in a degree granting program within the United States during the spring and fall semesters of the program year and upload proof of enrollment for the spring semester in the Slate application.
- Must provide proof of enrollment for the spring semester of the program year.
- Must reside in Houston, Texas during the 10-week fellowship.
- Priority will be given to applicants with the following designations by the spring semester of the program year:
- Graduate/Master’s student
- Doctoral student (e.g., Ph.D., DrPH)
- Health Profession Doctoral students (i.e., first year M.D. or D.O. students).
- Undergraduate students at a four-year United States university or college, enrolled in a degree-granting program during the Spring and Fall semester of the program year, are welcome to apply and will be awarded internships on a case-by-case basis and based on availability.
- Must state an interest in cancer prevention within the personal statement. See What is Cancer Prevention?
- Applicants graduating in May of the program year must provide: 1) proof of application OR 2) proof of acceptance into a medical, graduate, or degree-granting program in the form of an acceptance letter (this must be uploaded in the Slate system with your proof of enrollment).
- Must commit to the entire 10-week program and not be involved in other summer employment, testing, internships, or coursework.
M.D. and D.O. Students
Students awarded this CPRTP summer internship who are beyond year one of medical school by the spring semester of the program year must upload a letter (please include this letter with the proof of enrollment in the Slate system) from the home institution/program on institutional letterhead stating that:
- The applicant will not be enrolled in the medical program during the summer fellowship dates (fellowship start and end dates must be listed), and
- The applicant will not be receiving credit for participating in the MD Anderson CATALYST Summer Training Program.
For more information, visit NCI.
