SMART – Medical Student Opportunity (Student Mentorship and Research Training)

SMART – Medical Student Opportunity (Student Mentorship and Research Training)

Due Date:

Year-long, full-time blood cancer research fellowship for U.S. medical students, pairing each trainee with a physician-scientist host lab and dedicated lab mentor (“lab champion”). The program builds hands-on bench skills, career-shaping mentorship, and national exposure (including ASH attendance), with structured oversight from LLS to nurture the next generation of clinician-scientists in hematology/oncology.

Eligibility Criteria:

  • Enrolled and in good standing at an LCME- or COCA-accredited U.S. medical school.

  • From a school not affiliated with an NCI-Designated Cancer Center or where malignant hematology opportunities are limited.

  • Ideally 3rd or 4th year at application; 2nd year with stated interest in heme/onc welcomed.

  • U.S. citizen or U.S. permanent resident.

  • Selection materials: personal statement; dean’s letter (confirming support for time away and medical coverage); second letter from a senior administrator or faculty involved in the student’s education; prior wet-lab experience a plus.

  • Research site is expected to be at a different institution than the medical school (exceptions considered).

Funding Details:

  • 75,000 USD stipend for living expenses (12 months).

  • Up to 5,000 USD for relocation.

  • 10,000 USD to host lab for research costs.

  • Up to 3,000 USD per year for ASH meeting attendance for up to two years (during and immediately after the research year).

  • Structured mentorship: weekly meetings with host PI, day-to-day guidance from a lab champion, quarterly check-ins with LLS scientific staff, and an external clinical mentor.

  • Required outputs: final report (LLS template); expected ASH participation; authorship on presentations/manuscripts commensurate with contribution.

Deadline:

  • Applications due: December 15, 2025 (3:00 PM ET)

  • Acceptance notifications: February 2026

Where to go for further information: