The St. Baldrick’s Foundation Summer Fellowship provides funding for a medical student or undergraduate to spend a summer engaged in pediatric oncology research under the guidance of an experienced mentor. This short-term fellowship introduces aspiring physicians/scientists to hands-on childhood cancer research, with the goal of inspiring the next generation of pediatric oncology researchers. Over an 8–12 week project in summer 2026, the student will contribute to a mentor’s ongoing research (ranging from lab studies of childhood cancer biology to clinical or epidemiological studies) and gain invaluable research training and mentorship. The award is essentially a stipend that allows the student to focus full-time on the research project and learn research methodology in a pediatric cancer context.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Student applicants must be currently enrolled in an MD, DO, or equivalent medical school program (typically between M1–M3 year) or an undergraduate (or other health professional student) with a demonstrated interest in pediatric cancer research.
- Each student must identify a mentor in advance. The mentor must be an established pediatric oncology researcher (MD or PhD) at an academic or research institution, with an ongoing project suitable for a student to join. Mentor-student pair is required; the application is submitted by the mentor as PI, naming the student fellow.
- The research must be in the field of pediatric oncology (any childhood cancer type). Students from all countries are eligible, but the research must be conducted at a qualified institution (often in the U.S.).
- The student should be able to commit to ~full-time research during the summer period. A brief proposal outlining the project and the student’s role is part of the application. Selection criteria include the project’s training value for the student and the mentor’s commitment to fostering the student’s development.
Funding Details:
- Award amount: $5,000 USD for the summer. This is provided as a stipend to support the student’s living expenses during the research period (approximately 10–12 weeks). There is no overhead allowance or separate budget for research costs (the mentor’s lab typically covers any project expenses).
- The award covers a single summer (one-time, non-renewable fellowship). Multiple awards are granted each year.
- Students will likely present a summary of their work to St. Baldrick’s at the end of the summer (e.g., a brief report or poster).
- The mentor receives the funds and is responsible for ensuring the student’s research experience and for any necessary approvals (IRB/IACUC) for the project. St. Baldrick’s does not require a budget from the mentor aside from confirming the stipend usage.
Deadline:
- February 20, 2026 – Completed applications (mentor and student info, project proposal, and required forms) must be submitted by this date.
- Awards will be announced by May 1, 2026 , allowing students to plan their summer; the fellowship research period generally takes place between June and August 2026.
Where to go for further information: