Sparkathon 2023

The Sparkathon 2023 class will benefit from meaningful collaborations within cancer immunotherapy and hear the latest research in a synergistic environment amongst peers and experts in the field. In addition, they will form connections across institutions that may serve them in future endeavors. The opportunity to connect with other Sparkathon classes each year at SITC’s Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs will create a broader network of early career scientists and offer more opportunity for cross-institutional collaboration.

• Leadership. Development of leadership skills.
• Communication. Enhancement of writing and presentation skills.
• Mentorship. Establishment of continued mentorship from world-renowned faculty.
• Science. Design and implementation of innovative projects that solve tangible problems in the applicant’s field.
• Job search. Preparation for an academic job search.
• Job. Better understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that new faculty face
• Collaboration. Opportunity to form organic collaborations with peers and work cross-institutionally to efficiently create outcomes to enhance the field.
• Network. A dynamic network of cancer immunotherapy professionals – formed to further individual professional development and foster collaborations across institutions and work settings. SITC Sparkathon participants and alumni will develop affinity amongst their peers and the broader society.
• Engagement. Emerging leaders may receive new, more visible leadership opportunities within the society.

Applicants selected for the Sparkathon 2023 program will participate in a professional unconscious bias training during the Sept. 2023 Sparkathon program.  This training will include participants from the in person WIN LI program, which is being held at the same location as Sparkathon. Click here to learn more about the WIN LI program.

• Participants must be individuals who plan to transition from their mentored position to a full-time independent role in academia and industry within the next 1-2 years. It is desirable for applicants to have had some involvement with SITC, for example applicants can have: received a SITC award or fellowship; submitted an abstract; attended a SITC educational event such as the SITC Annual Meeting, Spring Scientific or collaborative program; created or updated their profile on the SITC Connect website, posted on a discussion board on the SITC CONNECT website; utilized SITC’s online resources; provided feedback to SITC in some way such as responding to a survey; etc.
• Participants must complete and submit an application by 5:00 p.m. PST Tuesday, April 18, 2023. Complete applications will consist of: a. a cover letter; b. research statement; c. letter of recommendation from mentor; d. institutional letter of support; and e. a one-page NIH-formatted Specific Aims Page, and f. the applicant’s NIH biosketch.
  
  • Applicants should exhibit dedication and research related to the 2023 Sparkathon topic, “Toxicity management and mechanisms.”
  • Please review the complete application requirements and review criteria at the end of this document.
• Participants must be available to attend the two-and-a-half-day in-person retreat from Sept. 27–29, 2023 in Chicago, IL. Participants will also meet again at the 2023 SITC Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs to participate in a one-day in-person program on Oct. 31, 2023, in San Diego, CA.
  
  • Accepted applicants will participate for free in the Sparkathon 2023 program and receive travel and lodging reimbursement for the program.
  • Accepted applicants will also receive travel and lodging reimbursement for attending the one-day program before the 2023 SITC Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs.

1. This document should state briefly:
   • Your interest in participating in the Sparkathon 2023 program
   • Your involvement with SITC and/or the field of cancer immunotherapy (such as through a committee; receipt of a Presidential Travel Award or the Presidential Award; awardee of a SITC fellowship; submission of an abstract; attending a SITC educational event such as an Annual Meeting, interim workshop or collaborative program; creating or updating your profile on the SITC CONNECT website; posting on a discussion board on the SITC website; using SITC’s online resources; providing feedback to SITC in some way such as responding to a survey; etc.)
   • Interest/passion for immunotherapy
   • How you stay current on trends in the field
   • Your qualifications
   • Career objectives and plan to obtain a faculty position in the next two years
   • What makes you a creative problem solver and innovator
   • Any additional information that will enhance your application and/or address the review committee’s selected review criteria outlined in section
   • Description of current and future research
   • A description of current or proposed research in the area of toxicity management and mechanisms.

1. Mentor’s Statement of Support: This letter should be from 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
   • Plans and potential for the applicant to develop into an independently funded investigator
2. Letter of Support from outside your institute:
   • The relationship with the applicant
   • The sponsor’s role in the proposed research, including plans to provide support as necessary
   • Plans and potential for the applicant to develop into an independently funded investigator

1. One page NIH-formatted Specific Aims page on your future work in the area of toxicity management and mechanisms.

1. The biosketch must include a history of applicant’s training, publications and full disclosure of all grants or awards currently received or pending.