2023 SITC Fellowship Opportunities Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the submission period?

The 2023 SITC Fellowship submissions will open Feb. 5, 2023. The application submission period will close 11:59 p.m. EST on Monday, April 17, 2023.

2. What are the eligibility requirements?

You are allowed to apply to multiple opportunities if you meet the requirements (although you are only allowed to receive one award). Click the links below for details pertaining to each opportunity.
2023 SITC-Bristol Myers Squibb Postdoctoral Cancer Immunotherapy Translational Fellowship Award
2023 SITC-AstraZeneca Immunotherapy in Lung Cancer Clinical Fellowship
2023 SITC-Genentech Women in Cancer Immunotherapy Fellowship Award

2023 SITC-Merck Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship

2023 SITC Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Fellowship
2023 SITC-Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals Adverse Events in Cancer Immunotherapy Clinical Fellowship Award

3. Are international submissions accepted?

Yes, international applicants are eligible to apply for most of SITC's 2023 fellowship opportunities. The exception is the 2023 SITC-Genentech Women in Cancer Immunotherapy Fellowship which is only available for US-based candidates.

4. What is the cost for submitting a fellowship application?

Submission is free for each opportunity. All applicants must be SITC members in good standing at the time of submission (i.e., current in dues). Individuals with student memberships are eligible to apply and student membership rates start as low as $50. Access more information on SITC membership and apply to join SITC here.

5. Can I apply for more than one fellowship?

It is possible that a submission 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.

6. How long is the fellowship term?

Terms for the SITC Fellowships will begin on August 1, 2023 and end on July 30, 2024. The SITC-Bristol Myers Squibb Postdoctoral Cancer Immunotherapy Translational Fellowship is the only exception, its term begins August 1, 2023 and ends July 30, 2025.

7. Will the fellowship monies be used for indirect costs?

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

8. Is there a salary requirement within the budget?

Though SITC requires the recipient to devote at least 75% of their workday to the funded project, there is no percentage requirement for funds allocated for salary. However, the proposed budget must account for the entire award.

9. What is included in the fellowship submission?

Each submission will include:

Applicant Statement of Purpose
Applicant Biosketch
Mentor Statement of Support
Mentor Biosketch
Institutional Letter of Support
Research Plan and Budget
Description of Facilities
Two Personal References

10. When will fellowship recipients be notified?

Applicants will be notified of their acceptance or rejection in June, 2023.

11. Can I accept other fellowship and grant opportunities while completing my term as a SITC fellow?

Acceptance of a fellowship award presented by SITC does not preclude the grant recipient from obtaining grant support from other sources.

12. Do I have to be a member of SITC to apply for a fellowship?

All applicants must be a SITC member in good standing (i.e. current in dues) by the submission deadline. Access more information on membership and apply to join SITC here.

13. What are the requirements upon acceptance of a fellowship?

Recipients of a SITC presented fellowship are required to submit a mid-term report and a final report detailing the status of their research. The report includes a write-up of the progress that has been made, as well as a financial accounting of funds.

14. How do I withdraw a submission?

From the application home page, click on the application you wish to withdraw. Next, click the Award Application ID# and select “Withdrawn” from the award application status. Click “Update Award Application” to finalize the withdrawal of your submission.

15. Are individuals with an investigator-initiated NIH class of grant or comparably funded, multi-year grants eligible to apply?

No. However, we encourage these individuals to consider sponsoring a mentee to apply for a SITC Fellowship. If you have specific questions regarding your current funding and your eligibility, please contact SITC staff at education@sitcancer.org.

16. Are Lecturers/Instructors/Investigators or equivalent positions eligible to apply for SITC Fellowships?

Yes, as long as they are currently within postdoctoral or postgraduate training, or no more than four years from completing such training, and as long as their current position is not deemed a tenure track position.

17. Are Assistant Professors or equivalent positions eligible to apply for SITC Fellowships?

No, Assistant Professors on tenure track are not eligible for these awards. However, those who are currently within postdoctoral or postgraduate training, or are no more than four years from completing such training, are eligible to apply, as long as their current position is not deemed a tenure track position.

18. Are Associate Professors/Senior Researchers/Principle Investigators or equivalent positions eligible to apply for SITC Fellowships?

No. If you have questions about your specific career status and whether you are eligible to apply, please contact SITC staff at education@sitcancer.org.

19. What is SITC's confidentiality policy regarding fellowship application content?

Fellowship applications are accessible by SITC staff for administrative purposes and are shared with fellowship reviewers and 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.

20. What are guidelines for intellectual property relating to fellowships?

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

SITC-named Fellowship Terms & Conditions

• Receipt of this award does not preclude the applicant from obtaining grant support from other sources. Support from the fellowship award is to be acknowledged in presentations and publications resulting from the research sponsored by the award.
• The award is nontransferable. The award recipient is directly responsible as an employee to the supporting academic institution. The sponsoring institution is responsible for documenting their role in terms of supporting the education and research efforts as well as providing adequate research capacity, including space and equipment, for the award.
• SITC may discontinue the award if it is documented that the purpose or the terms of the award are not being fulfilled. In this event, the recipient will be notified in writing of this determination, the reason and the effective date.
• The recipient must submit a halfway point and a final written progress report to SITC, including disposition of funds. Any unused funds will be returned to SITC.