Education & Training For High School Students For Graduate Students Oncology Summer Internship (OSI) For Faculty Cancer Clinical Trial Bootcamp Mentorship, Education & Training Program For Undergraduate Students CURE-Cancer Trainee Membership Travel Awards Mentorship, Education and Training (MET) Program Home Mentorship, Education and Training Program Applications for the 2025 Cycle Coming Soon Catalyze Your Success in Cancer Research MET is a year-long professional development program for early-stage and mid-career faculty in basic, clinical, or population science research. Through individualized mentorship with senior CFCCC members, the program helps mentees navigate career and scientific challenges, strengthen their research, and advance their long-term trajectory in cancer research. Program Structure Program Kickoff: MET Advisory Panel Each mentee begins by presenting their research and key challenges to a MET Advisory Panel—a group of 3–5 senior CFCCC investigators. The panel offers strategic guidance, recommends resources, and suggests potential collaborators to support the mentee’s development. Ongoing Mentorship Following the panel, mentees are paired with one or more senior CFCCC members who serve as thought partners throughout the 12-month program. Mentor(s) meet regularly with the mentee to offer tailored advice, support career planning, and help advance scientific goals. Program Conclusion: CFCCC Scientific Retreat The MET experience culminates at the CFCCC Annual Scientific Retreat, where mentees present their progress and accomplishments to the broader cancer center community—highlighting outcomes from their year of mentorship. "MET allowed me to learn best practices directly from senior CFCCC members versus attempting to figure things out on my own... I tie my ability to successfully obtain the Hematology/Oncology Pharmacy Association Early Career Research Grant to my experience in MET." -Shawn Griffin, Pharm.D., 2022 MET Mentee Timeline and Eligibility Timeline: Applications open: August 13, 2025 Deadline: September 22, 2025 Notifications: October 10, 2025 Eligibility: Must hold an early-stage or mid-career faculty appointment at UC Irvine and be actively pursuing a career with a substantial cancer research focus in basic, clinical, or population sciences. Must obtain approval from their chair (and/or division chief, if appropriate) to allocate time for participation. Must be a CFCCC member or become a CFCCC member by November 2025. Must be available and committed to: Presenting at the MET Advisory Panel (October/November 2025) Engaging in regular mentorship meetings (approximately every 4-6 weeks) Presenting outcomes and accomplishments from the year-long MET at the annual CFCCC Scientific Retreat (fall 2026). FAQs Why should I apply? Expert guidance: Receive structured guidance from senior CFCCC investigators to overcome scientific and career challenges. Year-long mentorship: Benefit from an expert mentor(s) for 12 months, providing continuous support and advice. Collaboration opportunities: Connect with experienced researchers and potential collaborators to advance your career and research. Showcase your work: Present your research outcomes at the end of the program, enhancing your professional profile. Career development: Gain support tailored for early-stage and mid-career faculty, helping you to navigate career obstacles. How often would I meet with my mentor(s)? Approximately every 4-6 weeks. The mentee is solely responsible for coordinating regular meetings with their mentor(s). To kick off the year-long MET program successfully, it's suggested to meet monthly for the first three months and at least every other month thereafter. The frequency is ultimately decided by the mentee and mentor(s). What are the required program activities? Complete pre-, intra-, and post-evaluation surveys to assess development. Participate in the MET Advisory Panel, presenting a brief overview of your research and challenges to senior CFCCC investigators for guidance and collaboration. This meeting typically occurs in October or November. Schedule regular meetings with mentor(s), suggested monthly for the first three months and at least every other month thereafter. Present your outcomes and accomplishments from the year-long mentorship at the end of the program (fall 2026). Who do I contact for additional questions? Please email the Cancer Research Training & Education Coordination (CRTEC) team at cfcccadmin@hs.uci.edu.