Intramural Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences Program

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Guidelines

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How to Apply

To apply, please submit a completed application through the online application process before the deadline, November 30, 2026.

You will be asked to provide:

  • Personal Information – name, current/permanent address, phone, email, citizenship
  • Demographic Information – race (optional), ethnicity (optional)
  • Education – degrees awarded or expected
  • Research Interests
  • 3 Letters of Reference – name and email of individuals in the community who will provide a current and original reference letter. Letters from peers are discouraged.
  • 1 Letter of Assurance for PhD (for graduate students and future postdoctoral fellows) – name and email address of individual who can affirm your status (advisor, member of dissertation committee or department chair)

Additionally, you will need to upload several documents. These documents should be saved as PDFs and uploaded to your application.

Document Description
Curriculum Vitae

General

Applicants are encouraged to use their current curriculum vitae and to add any necessary information.

  • Please include your name and a page number on each page of the curriculum vitae.
  • Some of the information requested below will not be applicable to all individuals.

Please do not include any personal information beyond what is requested below. In particular, please do not provide your social security number, date of birth, USCIAS number (alien resident number on your green card), student ID, or home address.

Personal Information

  • Name (First middle last)
  • Preferred Telephone Number
  • Preferred E-mail

Education

Please list all colleges and universities attended and any other relevant training. Include the following information for each institution:

  • School, department, city and state, country
  • Dates attended, academic major degree(s), minor degree(s), year degree(s) awarded/expected

Work Experience

Please list current and past employment. Include the following information for each position:

  • Position title, employer's name, city and state, country, and telephone
  • Dates of employment, hours per week
  • Brief description of duties and accomplishments

Bibliography

Please list all publications and indicate whether they are "published," "in press," "submitted," or "in preparation."

Other Information

Please note that the items requested below may not be relevant to all applicants:

  • Board certification
  • Committee memberships
  • Grants awarded
  • Honors and awards
  • Patents
  • Peer-review service
  • Professional licenses
  • Professional society memberships
  • Scientific presentations
  • Teaching
  • Mentoring

NIH Biosketch also accepted
Personal Statement of Research Goals

Please answer each of the following questions in 250 words or less. *Note that your response to EACH prompt should be 250 words or less; so you should submit three prompts total.

  • (Research Interest) Describe your interest in cancer research. Discuss how your experiences and background have influenced your research interests. Please include examples of your motivation, excitement, and drive for research.
  • (Short Term Goals) In the next 2-3 years what do you expect to accomplish; how will training at NCI help you with your immediate career goals?
  • (Long Term Goals) Where do you see your career in 5-10 years? How will being an iCURE scholar help you fulfill your goals?
Transcripts Official transcripts are not required at this point in the application process.

You may complete the application at your own pace and in multiple sessions. Once you submit your application, requests will be e-mailed to your referees. We recommend that you contact your referees prior to submitting your application so they are prepared to receive and respond to your request. Referees will have a separate deadline for submitting their letters: December 7, 2026. All applications and requests for Letters of Reference must be completed through your application account.

Advice for Referees or Advisors

An applicant may ask you to provide supporting documents to complete their application to the iCURE program.

What may I be asked to provide?

Letter of Reference

An applicant may ask you to write a letter of reference because of your knowledge of their scientific accomplishments, motivation, skills, and potential for future leadership in their field. As a current or previous employer, professor, colleague, or collaborator, you may be asked to provide a letter. Please note that reference letters from peers are discouraged.

Letter of Assurance

Typically for Graduate Student Requests

An applicant may ask you to provide a letter of assurance if they are currently enrolled in an accredited doctoral degree program but have not yet completed the requirements needed for their intended program track. As the applicant's advisor, dissertation committee member, or department head, you may be asked to provide this letter of assurance.

  • Graduate student applicants: If the applicant is applying to the graduate student portion of the program, the letter should confirm that they are expected to complete all requirements for doctoral candidacy before the start of the program in September 2027.
  • Postdoctoral applicants: If the applicant is applying for a postdoctoral fellowship, the letter should confirm that they are expected to complete all degree requirements before the start of the program in September 2027.

When can I begin writing the requested letter(s)?

You may begin writing the requested letter as soon as an applicant asks you. Your letter must be:

  • a current and original letter
  • typewritten on official letterhead
  • written in English
  • signed
  • saved as a PDF document

How do I confidentially and securely provide the letter to the iCURE program?

Once an applicant submits their application , you will receive a request for each supporting document you are being asked to provide. This is the only method allowed for submitting your letters. If you do not receive a request, please contact the applicant to be sure they sent the request. If the applicant has sent a request, then please contact us for assistance.

When is the letter due?

Submitting the letter as early as possible is strongly recommended. If a letter is determined not to meet the aforementioned guidelines, you will be asked to submit a corrected version. All letters must be submitted by 11:59 PM EST on December 7, 2026. No new letters or corrected versions will be accepted after this date.