The American Cancer Society's Diversity in Cancer Research (DICR) Internship Program is a paid summer research opportunity for under-represented minorities (URM) that provides training and educational opportunities to encourage the pursuit of biomedical careers. For 10 weeks, undergraduate-student interns engage in hands-on research and are mentored by accomplished investigators in cancer research labs or in clinical or community settings at leading research institutions, such as teaching hospitals, universities, medical schools, and cancer centers. Interns work in a collaborative environment with other scientists and experience the day-to-day world of cancer research while participating in research projects. Throughout the remainder of the year, interns also actively engage in planned, longitudinal career-development and networking activities. Interns are expected to complete post-internship surveys in a thorough and timely manner.
The program is led by the Extramural Discovery Sciences team and aims to improve diversity and inclusion in the cancer workforce by increasing the number of under-represented minorities trained as cancer researchers. The program’s long-term goals are to advance diversity and inclusivity in the cancer-research workforce and to drive greater innovation, problem-solving, and collaboration.
Location(s)
- Participating institutions vary each year.
Schedule
- 10 weeks during the summer (exact dates vary by location); additional dates throughout the year.
Cost/Compensation
- Interns will receive a weekly stipend of $500 for 10 weeks, totaling $5,000. Interns will also receive an allowance up to $500 to offset travel, housing, and other costs.
Eligibility Requirements
- Rising college sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are part of a URM population with an interest in any STEM discipline may apply
- Applicants must be in good academic standing with at least a 3.0 overall GPA
- Applicants must be full-time students and cannot be enrolled in summer courses concurrent with the internship
- Determination of URM eligibility is guided by the NIH definition of underrepresented minorities in science based on race and ethnicity
- Able to participate in the full 10 weeks of the program and additional activities throughout the year.
Deadline
Each participating institution will issue their own application and corresponding deadline. Past locations include:
- Case Western University in Cleveland, Ohio
- Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia
- Georgetown University in Washington, DC
- Indiana University School of Medicine in Indianapolis, Indiana
- University of Chicago, Illinois
- University of Colorado in Denver, Colorado
- University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky
- University of Maryland in Baltimore, Maryland
- University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, New Mexico
- University Oklahoma Health Sciences Center in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri
- Yale University School of Medicine in New Haven, Connecticut
Application or Entry Requirements
- Interns are selected by the individual institutions that apply to receive supplemental funding from the American Cancer Society for the DICR program. Each institution uses its own selection committee to choose 4 to 10 interns and sets its own criteria for application requirements and review.
Notifications of Decisions
Financial Aid Details
Other Dates to Keep in Mind
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The American Cancer Society is a nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia and dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Founded in 1913, the organization strives to improve the lives of people with cancer and their families by combating cancer through advocacy, research, and patient support and ensuring that everyone has an opportunity to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer. The ACS has spent more than $5 billion on cancer research since 1946, leading to many breakthroughs in cancer treatment and prevention. The society was one of the first organizations to raise awareness of the link between smoking and cancer and has played a key role in reducing smoking rates in the U.S. The ACS also serves one million callers each year through its National Cancer Information Center.
