Program Overview

Introduction to the Cancer Prevention Research Training Program (CPRTP) Summer Research Program

The CPRTP Summer Research Program is a paid summer internship funded by a grant award from the National Cancer Institute (R25 CA, Dr. Shine Chang, Principal Investigator). The program awards internships to undergraduate, graduate, and health professional students interested in cancer prevention research.

Eligibility Criteria

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• Be U.S. citizens or permanent residents
• Be enrolled in a degree-granting program within the United States during the spring and fall semesters of the program year
• Provide proof of enrollment for the spring semester of the program year
• Reside in Houston, Texas, during the 10-week fellowship
• State an interest in cancer prevention within their personal statement

Application Process

The application process involves:

1. Launching the application through the CATALYST Inquiry Form
2. Completing the inquiry form and uploading required documents, including a resume/CV, official transcript, and statement of research experience and interest
3. Creating a Slate account and requesting letters of recommendation
4. Completing additional application forms, including demographics and future plans, internship questions, and academic awards and honors

Stipend, Housing, and Benefits

The program offers:

• A stipend of $18 per hour ($7,200 before taxes over 10 weeks)
• Stipend payment on the 5th and 20th of each month via direct deposit
• Limited housing assistance for out-of-state interns
• Complimentary airfare to Houston for interns with out-of-state permanent addresses
• Research support of up to $1,000 for expenses related to the cancer prevention project

Mentor Match Process

The mentor matching process involves:

• Identifying potential mentors through department pages or a curated list of participating summer faculty mentors
• Entering a minimum of six faculty names and a short paragraph summarizing reasons for wanting to work with the selected faculty in a Qualtrics survey
• Mentor requirements, resources, and the matching process are outlined on the Find a Summer Mentor page

Frequently Asked Questions

The program has a comprehensive FAQ section that addresses various questions, including:

• Is the CPRTP summer program part of CATALYST?
• How many CPRTP summer fellowships are available?
• How do I indicate my interest in the CPRTP Cancer Prevention Summer Program in the Slate application?
• May I participate 100% remotely from another location?

What is Cancer Prevention?

Cancer prevention and control efforts aim to reduce cancer incidence, recurrence, progression, and associated adverse effects. Researchers conduct observational and interventional studies targeting cancer risk factors such as tobacco, physical inactivity, and environmental pollution.

Quick Facts

• Appointment location: On-campus/hybrid
• Identification verification: Required on the MD Anderson campus
• Stipend: $18 per hour
• Stipend payment frequency: 5th and 20th of each month
• MD Anderson COVID-19 PPE requirements: Masks not required, but adherence to posted campus and department PPE is necessary
• Other immunizations (including TB tests): Mandatory for all interns
• Laptops: Provided by the CPRTP, with instructions for pick-up and return
• Housing assistance: Provided with limited funding, on a case-by-case basis, for interns with out-of-town permanent addresses
• Complimentary round-trip airfare to Houston: Provided with limited funding, on a case-by-case basis, for interns with out-of-town permanent addresses

CPRTP Summer Program Testimonial

Noah Choi, 2018 CPRTP Summer College Student, shares his experience in the program.

Join the CPRTP Listserv

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Other CATALYST Summer Programs

The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center offers various summer programs, including the Medical Students Summer in Oncology Program, Supporting Tobacco-Related Ongoing Education and Research (STRONGER) Scholar Program, U54 Partnership Summer Program in Cancer Research, and University Outreach Summer Program.