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The Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (iCURE) program provides recent college graduates, including post-masters individuals, graduate students and postdoctoral fellows, the opportunity to complete paid fellowships within the NCI intramural research program. Within the NCI divisions, scholars will have the ability to explore opportunities in basic and clinical research, cancer epidemiology and genetics research, cancer control science as well as global health. A core to the iCURE program is multi-level mentoring that begins during the application process and continues throughout the experience.
The Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (iCURE) Program supports the career progress of scholars toward independence while fostering the biomedical research pipeline. By providing research opportunities, mentorship, and career development support, the iCURE program cultivates a pool of researchers to tackle cancer research complexities, aligning with the NCI's mission to advance cancer biology understanding, improve diagnosis and treatment, and reduce cancer's burden.
Why choose NCI iCURE for a Fellowship?
The iCURE fellowship is an opportunity to spend up to 2 to 3 years conducting full-time research at the NCI. NCI offers competitive stipends that are determined by the applicant's degree and years of relevant experience. Stipend levels increase with the number of years of experience. Annual increases may be given. Stipends are subject to change depending on Federal guidelines and funding availability.
The iCURE program aligns with the current Collective Bargaining Agreement between National Institutes of Health and NIH Fellows United for benefits allotted to fellows.” An iCURE fellowship duration can be extended beyond iCURE support based on mutual agreement with research PI and iCURE scholar, in accordance with NIH fellowship policies.
At the core of the iCURE program is multi-level mentoring that begins during the application process and continues throughout the experience. During this time, scholars will be matched with a peer contact and a peer guide. In addition, scholars will be mutually matched with a Research PI and an outside research mentor, ensuring a good fit, shared research and career support interest.
iCURE Timeline
- Application Cycle Opens
January 5, 2025 - Application Due Date
February 16, 2026 - Reference Letter Due Date
February 23, 2026
- Opportunities to work closely with world-class biomedical research scientists at the NCI
- Professional and career development opportunities to prepare scholars for next steps include pursuing advanced degrees, seeking mentorship, and gaining experience in leadership roles or specialized fields, ultimately fostering growth as independent investigators and leaders in their respective disciplines
- Connection to an extensive and sustaining mentoring network, including a cohort of peer and near peers
- Support by NCI program staff as well as information and resources on intramural and extramural funding opportunities
Learn more about the research
The NCI is comprised of two components: intramural and extramural. The Intramural Research Program (IRP) supports projects conducted by scientists located at NCI whereas extramural refers to grants and contracts provided to other institutions. The majority of training opportunities can be found within the IRP, which includes the Center for Cancer Research (CCR) and the Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG). Additional opportunities can be found in select extramural divisions, including but not limited to the Center for Global Health (CGH) and the Division of Cancer Control and Population Science (DCCPS).
The Center for Cancer Research (CCR) is home to more than 250 scientists and clinicians leading intramural research at NCI. CCR is organized into over 50 branches and laboratories, each one grouping scientists with complementary interests. CCR's investigators are basic, clinical, and translational scientists who work together to advance our knowledge of cancer and AIDS and to develop new therapies against these diseases. CCR investigators collaborate with scientists at the more than 20 other Institutes and Centers of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), as well as with extramural scientists in academia and industry.
CCR is committed to supporting and training the next generation of cancer researchers, helping launch careers in basic/translational and clinical cancer research. The CCR and NCI offer a research environment that is second-to-none in quality of science and quality of life. All fellowships are intended to increase the number of scientists and physicians who specialize in basic, translational, or clinical biomedical research. Fellows will receive strong mentoring, work with multidisciplinary teams, and have access to world class technology, as well as over 40 cores and other resources.
Investigators within CCR are located on the Bethesda or the Frederick campuses. For additional information about research at CCR, please visit https://ccr.cancer.gov/
The Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics (DCEG) conducts population and multidisciplinary research to discover the genetic and environmental determinants of cancer and new approaches to cancer prevention.
DCEG's multidisciplinary research covers most types of cancer and many exposures in a variety of populations. Our cadre of in-house scientists - epidemiologists, geneticists, biostatisticians, and clinicians - form interdisciplinary teams to study complex questions. DCEG forms collaborative partnerships within the NIH/NCI intramural research program and with scientists at academic and medical institutions around the world, which enables it to carry out its research. Fellows will receive world-class training in epidemiological methods, statistical analysis, study design, genetic susceptibility, functional studies, etiology, exposure assessment, and more.
Investigators within DCEG are located at the Shady Grove (Rockville) campus. For additional information about research at DCEG, please visit https://dceg.cancer.gov/
The Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) aims to reduce risk, incidence, and deaths from cancer as well as enhance the quality of life for cancer survivors. The division conducts and supports an integrated program of the highest quality genetic, epidemiological, behavioral, social, applied, and surveillance cancer research. DCCPS-funded research aims to understand the causes and distribution of cancer in populations, support the development and delivery of effective interventions, and monitor and explain cancer trends in all segments of the population. Central to these activities is the process of synthesis and decision making that aids in evaluating what has been learned, identifying new priorities and strategies, and effectively applying research discoveries to reduce the cancer burden. Fellows will work with a mentor on research projects, literature reviews, data analyses, presentations, and/or manuscript preparation.
Scientists within DCCPS are located at the Shady Grove (Rockville) campus. For additional information about DCCPS, please visit https://
The Center for Global Health (CGH) supports NCI's mission to improve cancer control worldwide. CGH contributes by advancing global cancer research and training and coordinating NCI engagement in global cancer control. CGH also represents NCI in international research partnerships, playing a key role in coordinating multinational research efforts for global benefit.
Fellows can expect to work on specific research projects, gaining valuable experience and establishing meaningful connections in the field of cancer research. Fellows will support strategic communications projects across the Center with a focus on communications planning and implementation, website management, and social media strategy to increase access to NCI research resources for global audiences.