Sparkathon 2023

SITC Sparkathon 2023 Topic: Toxicities in Cancer Immunotherapy

Applications for the Sparkathon 2023 program were due April 25, 2023 by 5 p.m. PST and are now closed.

This exclusive program brings together early career investigators with established leaders in cancer immunotherapy to foster leadership development, collaborations and scientific exchange. 

The SITC 2023 Sparkathon program is supported, in part, by Incyte, and Genentech, A Member of the Roche Group. Additional support has also been made through a challenge grant by an anonymous donor.

About Sparkathon

download pdf of application & eligibility criteria

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SITC will select eligible, qualified early career scientists that will meet on Sept. 27–29, 2023, in Chicago, IL. Accepted participants will also convene at a second meeting on Nov. 1, 2023, prior to the society’s 38th Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs (SITC 2023) in San Diego, CA.

Accepted applicants into this elite program will participate for free and receive reimbursement for eligible travel expenses to SITC Sparkathon. 

Program Details, Goals & Outcomes

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.

Eligibility

  • 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 25, 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 Nov. 1, 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.

Application Process

Sparkathon 2023 applications were due April 25, 2023 by 5 p.m. PST and are now closed.

Participants apply by completing an electronic application. The selection process aims to obtain a balanced class with diverse representation across institutions. All accepted applicants into this elite program will participate at no charge and receive travel reimbursement.

Review Criteria

The review committee will assess the following items for each candidate but will consider all other strengths and experiences emphasized in the applications. Items are listed by order of importance.

  • Likelihood of securing an independent position in the next 1-2 years
  • Dedication and research related to the 2023 Sparkathon topic; “toxicity management and mechanisms.”
  • Collaboration/team player (for example through co-authoring a paper)
  • Communication
  • Knowledge of and experience in cancer immunotherapy
  • Publications
  • Appointments/varied experience so far in career
  • Grants/awards received
  • Presentations given

*Priority will be given to applicants who reside in and are employed at an institution located in the United States. However, international applicants may be selected based on merit.

*In alignment with SITC’s diversity, equity and inclusion strategic plan, the Sparkathon program aims to enhance diversity by increasing participation from underrepresented populations in the U.S. Biomedical Sciences according to the NIH Statement on Diversity. Priority will be given to qualified applicants who identify as an underrepresented group or from a diverse background based on self-reported data in the application.

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COMPLETE APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

All components below must be uploaded to the electronic application system.

I. Cover Letter

  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.

II. Letters of Support

  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

III. NIH-Formatted Specific Aims Page

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

IV. Candidate's NIH Biosketch

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

Sparkathon Organizers

Sandra Demaria, MD

Sandra Demaria, MD
Weill Cornell Medicine

Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD

Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD
Brigham and Women’s Hospital

Howard Kaufman, MD, FACS

Howard Kaufman, MD, FACS
Ankyra Therapeutics and Massachusetts General Hospital

Marco Ruella, MD

Marco Ruella, MD
University of Pennsylvania

Sparkathon Faculty

Michael Bishop, MD
University of Chicago

Brian Brown, PhD
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital

Laura Cappelli, MD, MHS, MS
Johns Hopkins University

Marco Davila, MD, PhD
Roswell Park Comprehensive Cancer Center

Sandra Demaria, MD
Weill Cornell Medicine

Jennifer L. Guerriero, PhD
Brigham and Women's Hospital

James Gulley, MD, PhD, FACP
National Cancer Institute

Howard Kaufman, MD, FACS
Ankyra Therapeutics and Massachusetts General Hospital

Saad Kenderian, MD
Mayo Clinic

Ashley Koegel, MD
Bristol Myers Squibb

Ivan Maillard, MD, PhD
University of Pennsylvania

Thomas Marron, MD, PhD
Mount Sinai Hospital

Marco Ruella, MD
University of Pennsylvania

Elad Sharon, MD
Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Chloe Villani, PhD
Massachusetts General Hospital

E. John Wherry, PhD
University of Pennsylvania

SITC SPARKATHON ALUMNI NETWORK

After participation in the Sparkathon 2023 program, emerging leaders will come together to create an alumni network to further their work, make new and strengthen existing connections, and serve as a resource for subsequent classes. This network will facilitate collaborations among members and as demonstrated leaders, members may be considered for future society leadership opportunities, including high profile committee and Board service. After participation in the Sparkathon 2023 program, emerging leaders will come together to create an alumni network to further their work, make new and strengthen existing connections, and serve as a resource for subsequent classes. This network will facilitate collaborations among members and as demonstrated leaders, members may be considered for future society leadership opportunities, including high profile committee and Board service.

PROFESSIONAL ETHICS

Professional, responsible, ethical behavior is expected from participants throughout the Sparkathon program. With regard to the Sparkathon program, this includes active participation, meeting submission deadlines, being respectful and supportive of fellow members, adhering to a general code of ethics, and adhering to SITC’s Meeting Code of Conduct. Failure to adhere to the highest of ethical standards and other program requirements can result in possible termination from the project.

COVID-19 Measures

At SITC programs, our goal is to have a safe and meaningful in-person experience. SITC will refer to the CDC COVID-19 Community Levels to guide health precautions for in-person meetings. In addition, SITC strongly recommends that in-person meeting attendees take the following precautions:

  • Stay up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations
  • Take a rapid COVID test prior to attending a meeting and do not attend in person if you test positive
  • Do not attend the meeting if you have symptoms that could be consistent with a “cold” or any other respiratory infection and leave the meeting if you develop such symptoms
  • Wear a mask in crowded indoor settings
  • Follow all health and safety protocols as required by SITC and local and state health departments
  • Review current CDC and applicable local guidance for protecting yourself from COVID-19

Attendees will have access to the meeting content online if they are unable to attend in person due to illness or a positive COVID test. For hybrid programs, attendees can change from in-person to online-only registration by contacting events@sitcancer.org. 

Registered attendees will be notified in advance of any changes to precautions, recommendations or requirements for a SITC meeting.

View Past Programs

SPARKATHON 2022 SPARKATHON 2021 SPARKATHON 2018 SPARKATHON 2017