Research Projects:
Projects will be considered across the broad spectrum of the cancer research continuum, including basic research, clinical, population-based and translational research, and from a wide range of disciplines. For doctoral students, the research project may lead to additional data to enhance the specific aims of their thesis project, or it could be a standalone project.
Project Scope:
The project scope must be appropriate to be completed within the timeframe of the STRONGER Program.
Project Budget:
Successful applicants will receive the following funds for their research project.
Project research expenses: $1,000
Graduate student/Postdoctoral trainee mentor scholarship award: $500
Total award: $1,500
Application Review and Selection
Applicants are expected to participate in the following program activities.
April |TBD | CGRC-133/451
Mentors Orientation
The Program Directors will provide important information about the program and mentoring expectations and requirements.
April | TBD | Zoom
Virtual Meet & Greet for interns & mentors
Mentors will join a virtual Meet & Greet with the interns and will introduce their research labs.
May 13 | 12:30 – 4 p.m. | CGRC-133/451
Mentoring 101 Workshop
Effective Mentorship: Tools for Student Mentors
This interactive half-day workshop will equip you with evidence-based strategies to foster a productive, inclusive and growth-oriented research environment. Using the nationally validated CIMER (Center for the Improvement of Mentored Experiences in Research) curriculum, we will explore best practices for setting expectations, assessing mentee progress and promoting independence. These mentorship skills will not only enhance your mentees’ experiences, but will also provide a foundation for future mentoring roles, helping you cultivate strong mentor-mentee relationships throughout your career.
Presenters
Judy Traveis, Ph.D.
Associate Dean for Graduate Student Success, UF Graduate School
Talline R. Martins, Ph.D.
Director, Graduate Professional Development, UF Graduate School
May 18 | 11:30 A.M. – 6 p.m.
Introduction to Cancer Research Program
3MT® Research Project Presentations and Speed-Networking Session
11:30 a.m. – 12 p.m.
Lunch
12 – 1:15 p.m.
Cancer Research at UF
Introduction to the participating research labs
1:15 – 2:30 p.m. 3MT® Research Project Presentations
Applicants will be asked to provide a brief overview of their summer research projects in a three-minute presentation using a single PowerPoint slide, in the format and style of the UF 3-Minute Thesis competition.
2:45 – 5:15 p.m. Speed-Networking Session
The interns will participate in a speed-networking session with the applicants to learn more about the research projects.
5:15 – 6 p.m. Social Mixer
Mentor Matching
The interns will rank their choices for research projects and the mentors will rank their preferred mentee selections.
All rank order lists must be submitted by 8:30 a.m. May 19, 2026.
Mentors will be notified on May 19 whether or not their project was selected. The matched teams will be formally announced after the Keynote Presentation on May 20, 2026.
