Stage 1: Letter of Intent (LOI): In the initial stage, applicants are required to submit a completed application form, an abstract, a biosketch, and a Mentor’s Statement of Support. The Awards Review Committee will review LOI’s and will determine which applicants move to the second stage.

Stage 2: Full Application: Applicants that are selected to move onto the second stage will be notified according to the timeline on the Fellowships webpage. Applicants selected to for the second stage will need to provide a research and budget plan, a description of facilities, a mentor’s statement of support, a mentor’s bio sketch, an institutional letter of support, and two personal references.

Applicants may meet the criteria for more than one fellowship, and applicants are welcome to apply for all fellowships for which they are eligible. Applicants will only be awarded one fellowship. Applicants must submit a separate application for each fellowship they wish to apply for.

Currently, we do not have an example application or template. Please refer to the Award Overview documents for details on the application material requirements. Our application portal, Proposal Central, will inform you of all necessary requirements to fulfill your application.

I. Abstract (1 page) The abstract should outline the project’s aims, expected outcomes, and overall impact. It must include the team members and explain how this award will assist the applicant in securing their next grant.

II. Biosketch/Credentials (up to 5 pages) NIH Biosketch format, instructions and samples available here. Use the “non-fellowship” format. Add this section at the end of the document to disclose additional research funding: Additional Information: Research Support

III. Mentor’s Statement of Support (maximum 2 pages) This letter should be from the individual acting as a fellowship mentor to the applicant. It must clearly present: The applicant’s role and academic appointment(s), the sponsor’s role in the proposed research, including plans to provide support as necessary, and plans and potential for the applicant to develop into an independently funded investigator.

I. Applicant’s Statement of Purpose (maximum 2 pages) This letter should outline the award and career objectives of the applicant toward cancer immunotherapy research. This letter should specify: • Current and future cancer immunotherapy research objectives • Further training requested by the candidate

II. Mentor’s Biosketch (maximum 5 pages) NIH Biosketch format, instructions and samples available here.

III. Institutional Letter of Support (maximum 2 pages) The letter must be written on letterhead by the department head, dean, or other senior member of the institution on behalf of the applicant. It should explain the applicant's relationship with the institution, and the nature and extent of support for the proposed research available from the institution, including laboratory space, financials and other resources.

IV. Research Plan and Budget Required Formatting: Calibri 11pt, Single Spaced, 1-inch margins. Figures do not count towards section page limits. The research plan should include a thorough statement of the candidate’s proposed research plan in cancer immunotherapy, including: a) Specific aims (maximum 1 page) b) Background and significance (maximum 1.5 pages) c) Preliminary results (if applicable) (maximum 1.5 pages) d) Methods and procedures (maximum 4 pages) e) Anticipated outcome (maximum 1 page) f) Long-range objectives (maximum .5 page) g) References (no limit) h) Research project budget (Note: The budget should outline the anticipated spend of the award among salary, research and other associated costs. The fellowship amounts must be entirely designated to salary, including support for equipment & supplies.) (maximum 1 page)

V. Facilities (maximum 1 page) Required Formatting: Calibri 11pt, Single Spaced, 1-inch margins. A description of the facilities for research and training needed by the candidate must be included.

VI. Two Personal References (maximum 2 pages each) Two letters of recommendation from two people familiar with the candidate’s qualifications must be included with the application.

Fellowship applications are accessible by SITC staff for administrative purposes and are shared with Awards Review Committee members for the purposes of review only. All staff, fellowship reviewers and committee members agree to adhere to SITC's confidentiality policy, and as such all individuals privy to information shared in fellowship applications will keep the application information confidential. 

SITC fellowship recipients and/or sponsoring institutions retain ownership of their work and research. 

The fellowship amounts are entirely designated to salary, including support for equipment & supplies. Indirect costs are not covered by SITC fellowships. 

Fellowship funds cannot be used to support travel to conferences or events. Fellowship recipients receive complementary registration and travel reimbursement to attend the SITC Annual Meeting in the year the fellowship is awarded.

Currently, there is not a SITC fellowship budget template. However, the proposed budget must account for the entire award amount and can only be designated to allowable expenses. Allowable expenses include salary support for the fellow, as well as necessary equipment and supplies required to carry out the project effectively.

There is no percentage requirement for funds allocated for salary. However, the proposed budget must account for the entire award and can only be designated to allowable expenses. Allowable expenses include salary support for the fellow, as well as necessary equipment and supplies required to carry out the project effectively.

SITC fellowship funds may not be allocated to overhead costs.