AFRICAN LEADERSHIP TRAINING FOR ONCOLOGY RESEACH 

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 15TH APRIL 2025

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

The African Leadership Training for Oncology Research (ALTOR) is a six-month training program designed to pilot a curriculum developed to cultivate professional competencies among African investigators to initiate and lead impactful cancer research in their home institutions. This curriculum has been jointly developed by four institutions from Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Zambia, funded under the US NCI Global Oncology Research Leadership Training Award. This award supports the development and implementation of contextualized educational activities to foster professional skills essential for successful and impactful cancer research careers. This US NCI initiative is implemented by CDRF Global in partnership with the Sunrise Foundation.

This joint initiative is now accepting applications from early- to mid-career researchers and health practitioners interested in strengthening their professional competencies to advance cancer research and policy in Africa and beyond. The professional skills acquired through this training are intended to complement trainees’ technical research skills. Therefore, those with a technical research foundation will benefit most from this initiative. Selected trainees will develop implementation science technical research skills alongside the professional competencies [including, but not limited to, grantsmanship, scientific writing, communication, teamwork and networking, time management and career planning, mediation and negotiation, leadership and mentoring, policy and community engagement].

With nearly 70% of cancer-related deaths projected to occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) by 2040 (GLOBOCAN 2020), strong cancer research in LMICs, including Africa, is essential for generating generalizable knowledge and innovative tools for effective cancer control locally and globally. Strong local research leadership in Africa is crucial to advancing global health security and well-being for all communities, including Americans, by accelerating cancer-related research in Africa. African investigators are well positioned to lead research collaborations as they understand best the social, cultural, economic, and political contexts, as well as the unique needs, challenges, and opportunities for local cancer control.

PROGRAM FORMAT

The training will be conducted both virtually and in-person. The virtual component will take place via Zoom, and the in-person component will take place in the countries affiliated with the four funded institutions (Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, and Zambia). Selected applicants will complete the in-person training component in the country from which they apply.

ELIGIBILITY

  1. Applicant must demonstrate permanent residency in either Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, or Zambia – the countries affiliated with the four funded institutions. The applicant does not have to be affiliated with any of the funded institutions.
  2. Applicant must demonstrate active engagement in cancer research and/or cancer-related work such as policy development/implementation or clinical practice.
  3. Applicant must have completed a doctoral degree or its equivalent such as a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) Doctor of Medicine (M.D.). In many LMICs, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB, MB BS, BM MCh, MMed, etc.) are considered the highest degrees of study and equivalent to a doctoral degree.  OR a professional degree (e.g., BSN, PharmD) with demonstrated academic or leadership achievements.
  4. Applicant must be in the early- or mid-stages of their careers, with those who hold positions at their local institutions (academic or non-academic) preferred.
  5. Preference will be given to applicants who are actively involved in cancer research and/or cancer-related clinical and policy work and show potential for continued advancement in their cancer research careers.  

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must submit the following:

  1. Research Plan (1-2 pages, NIH-style format): NIH Research Plan Guidelines
  2. Career Development Plan / Personal Statement (1-2 pages), addressing:
    • Your commitment to global oncology and how this program will enhance your ability to contribute.
    • Your experience in cancer-related work (clinical, research, policy, health systems).
    • Your career plan and long-term aspirations.
    • How receiving this training will impact your career trajectory.
  3. Comprehensive Biosketch (NIH format): NIH Biosketch Guidelines
  4. Two Letters of Recommendation (one professional, one administrative).
  5. Degree certificate and other relevant certification

SELECTION PROCESS

  1. First-Level Selection: Conducted by a review committee in the in-country funded institution.
  2. Final Selection: Conducted by a joint review committee comprised of the four funded institutions.

Review Criteria forthcoming.

POST-SELECTION COMMITMENTS

Selected scholars must:

  • Successful candidates will be required to sign a Trainee Agreement outlining commitments and expectations.
  • Successful candidates will be required to develop a career development plan for longitudinal tracking to ensure sustained progress.
For more information please contact: sunrisefoundationproject@gmail.com