An official website of the United States government
The Interagency Oncology Task Force Fellowship (IOTF) provides postdocs the opportunity to gain research and regulatory skills by completing a fellowship at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The fellowship is offered as a partnership of the FDA, National Cancer Institute (NCI), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Department Health and Human Services (HHS).
NCI is committed to training the next generation of scientific leaders, and it is crucial that these scholars reflect the diversity of the population we serve. We strongly encourage individuals from underrepresented populations in biomedical research to submit applications.
The partnership between NCI and the FDA provides physicians and postdoctoral fellows the opportunity to conduct oncology research and regulatory review for up to three years. Specifically, the program trains scientists in research and research-related regulatory review, policies, and regulations to develop a skill set that bridges the two disparate processes. Fellows learn to build awareness of regulatory requirements into the early stages of the medical product development process and will develop strategies to improve planning throughout research and regulatory review.
IOTF Timeline
- Application Cycle Opens
May 1, 2024 - Application Due Date
Jun 3, 2024 - Reference Letter Due Date
Jun 10, 2024
As part of the program, fellows will:
- Conduct mentored research at the FDA in Silver Spring, MD with scientists across the FDA divisions;
- Receive formal training in the regulatory review process, clinical trial design, and/or product development (varies based on the track); and
- Participate in courses, workshops, and conferences to enhance the hands-on training
Why Choose this Fellowship?
The IOTF fellowship is a unique opportunity to gain both research and regulatory review training. The fellows gain invaluable hands-on experience in understanding critical ethical issues and requirements in product research, have the opportunity to participate in the review of regulatory files, and participate in product-related research. Since the program was established in 2005, the IOTF has trained 90 scientists who have remained in industry or regulatory fields. Notably, 75% of the participants have received full-time staff or reviewer positions at the FDA.
Learn more about the Fellowship
The IOTF fellowship is composed of four tracks (based on career stage) and provides up the three years of research and regulatory review training. For some of the tracks, the FDA partners with a specific NCI program. In each track, the fellow is required to train at the FDA White Oak Campus in Silver Spring, MD. Due to the differences in career stage and NCI program partners, there are some distinct differences between the tracks. To learn more about the program tracks, visit the IOTF website. For specific questions about the FDA, please contact our partners in the Office of Scientific and Professional Development.
This track trains physicians currently participating in the NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship in aspects of clinical trials methodology and analysis, epidemiology, clinical aspects of medical product development, and regulation to facilitate the movement of drugs, biologics, and devices from the basic bench science to commercialization.
NIH Hematology Oncology fellows can spend time during their second or third years participating in regulatory research and review at the FDA. They often continue to spend one day per week in clinical activities at the NCI. Visit the NIH Hematology Oncology Fellowship to learn more about the program.
- Training in clinical trial design, clinical pharmacology, pharmacoepidemiology, and product development in the context of clinical research
- Spend protected time conducting regulatory research and review at the FDA
This track trains physicians Board Certified in Oncology in aspects of drug, biologic, or device development and related issues and standards to facilitate movement from basic bench science to commercialization.
Fellows spend one year conducting regulatory research and review at the FDA. Fellows are supported directly by the Center for Cancer Training and receive a stipend comparable to a senior postdoctoral fellow (starting at approximately, $80,400). NCI also covers the cost of your health insurance, which includes medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance.
- Understanding of the review process for regulatory pathways, as well as legal and regulatory aspects of cancer product development
- Spend protected time conducting regulatory research and review at the FDA regulatory research and review at the FDA
This track trains individuals with postdoctoral research experience in aspects of research and review of the medical product development process to facilitate the movement of drugs, biologics, and devices from the bench to the bedside.
Fellows spend up to two years conducting regulatory research and review at the FDA. Fellows are supported directly by the Center for Cancer Training and the stipend starts at $65,000. NCI also covers the cost of your health insurance, which includes medical, prescription, vision, and dental insurance. Current NCI fellows will transfer from their current research group to the Center for Cancer Training, but their fellowship package will be maintained.
- Understanding of the regulatory requirements for product development/ approval process, and review of regulatory files
- Participation in the development of product standards and guidance document development
This track trains postdoctoral fellows participating in the NCI Cancer Prevention Fellowship (CPFP) program in aspects of the cancer prevention drug, biologic, or device development processes, including their application to study populations, to facilitate the movement of novel approaches from the bench to the community
CPFP fellows can spend up to three years conducting regulatory research and review at the FDA. Fellows will continue to participate in all CPFP activities at NCI. Visit the CPFP to learn more about the program.
- Understanding the design and analysis of clinical trials, familiarity with the IRB approval process, and determining clinical endpoints in cancer prevention and early detection trials
- Gain understanding of critical ethical issues and requirements in product research, development and review
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 Division of Cancer Control and Population Science (DCCPS) and the Center for Global Health (CGH).
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 the NCI mission by advancing global cancer research and coordinating NCI engagement in global cancer control. CGH implements and advances programs that strengthen NCI's existing global research portfolio, coordinates and develops research and training initiatives, and establishes and facilitates international research networks and partnerships to decrease the global burden of cancer. Fellows will support in programmatic aspects of CGH's programs, which includes but is not limited to topics such as technology and mHealth for cancer control in low- and middle-income countries, dissemination and implementation science, and behavioral research for cancer prevention.
Scientists within CGH are located at the Shady Grove (Rockville) campus. For additional information about CGH, please visit www.cancer.gov/