The UF Health Cancer Institute’s Advance, Communicate, Engage (ACE) Program is now accepting applications for our inaugural cohort, launching in August 2026.
ACE is a six-month professional development experience designed for early to mid-career oncology researchers who are ready to translate their science into influence. You will develop practical communication skills that most researchers never receive formal training in and graduate as a Cancer Research Ambassador for the UF Health Cancer Institute.
- Application deadline: June 1, 2026
- Cohort size: 3 to 5 participants
How the program works
One 90-minute workshop per month, led by communication experts, covering:
- Media training: how to speak to journalists and on camera
- Community engagement: connecting your research to the public it serves
- Government relations: making your science matter to policymakers
- Philanthropic communications: building donor relationships around your work
- Personal brand development: establishing yourself as a go-to voice in your field
Between sessions, online modules guide portfolio-building activities you can use immediately.
What participants walk away with
- Practical, practiced communication skills across multiple high-stakes contexts
- A professional portfolio developed over six months
- A 2-year appointment as a Cancer Research Ambassador
- A $1,000 professional development stipend
- A spotlight marketing package through UF Health Cancer Institute channels
- A seat on the UF Health Cancer Institute Senior Leadership Council
Time commitment
Two to three hours per month, August 2026 through February 2027.
Who should apply
Early to mid-career oncology researchers and UF Health Cancer Institute members who are doing strong science and want the skills to make that science more visible.
Questions?
Contact training@cancer.ufl.edu or martina.murphy@medicine.ufl.edu
