Fellowships
Upstream Research Center Fellowship Opportunities
The goal of the Upstream Research Center Fellowship Program is to develop a diverse cadre of interdisciplinary early-career scholars committed to advancing cancer health equity through research, practice, and capacity building in persistent poverty areas. Learning and networking opportunities include:
Mentored research experience. The mentoring team may include Upstream Research Center faculty, faculty working in relevant areas at other institutions, community partners, and the fellow's existing mentors. In collaboration with their mentoring team, fellows will develop an Individual Development Plan (IDP).
Opportunities to conduct community-engaged research. Community engagement is the spine of the Center, integrated throughout its projects, cores, and activities. Fellows are expected to build their capacity and experience in this area and will be provided with many opportunities to collaborate with the Center’s community partners.
Vertical and peer networking within the Upstream Research Center and across the Persistent Poverty Initiative Network. Upstream fellows will be part of a cross-institution peer cohort. Fellows will be encouraged to participate in the Center’s research projects and cores, monthly seminar series, journal club, pilot grant program, Persistent Poverty Initiative Network annual meeting (travel costs will be covered by the Center), and the Upstream Research Center’s annual retreat.
Access to career and professional development activities across institutions. Fellows will have the opportunity to participate in an integrated set of career and professional development activities at Stanford, UC Davis, and UCSF (e.g., grant and science writing online workshops, team science training sessions, leadership development programs, and workshops on utilizing real-world data).
Important Dates
Applications for the Upstream Research Center Fellowship Program are due November 27, 2023, at 5:00 PM PST. Decision letters will be sent in December 2023. The Program will begin on January 2, 2024.
Award Amount and Terms
Fellows are expected to devote at least 50% professional effort to the Upstream Research Center Fellowship (e.g., research, career development, and community engagement activities) and will be provided with salary support of up to $40,000 per year. Fellows will be encouraged to apply for Upstream pilot grants which provide up to $75,000 in funding for research focused on understanding and addressing the social determinants of cancer inequalities in persistent poverty areas in Northern California. Appointments are for one year with the option of extending for an additional year.
Application Guidelines
Post-baccalaureate, graduate, medical, predoctoral, and postdoctoral students or instructors at Stanford, UC Davis, and UC San Francisco are eligible to apply.
US citizen, noncitizen national of the United States, or lawfully admitted permanent resident at the time of application.
The Upstream Research Center Fellowship Program requires that you have a primary mentor at Stanford, UC Davis, or UC San Francisco by the due date of the application. The primary mentor will be responsible for the remainder of any salary and benefits expenses not covered by the fellowship. The Upstream Research Center has a broad network of faculty and partners conducting work in this area and can help to expand the fellow’s mentorship team.
Research should focus on understanding and/or addressing structural factors contributing to cancer inequalities related to persistent poverty.
- Fellows are required to actively participate in the Center’s community-engagement efforts. This can take many forms. At a minimum, fellows are expected to interact with Upstream community partners, which the Center will help facilitate. Ideally, fellows will build new collaborations with relevant community partners specifically linked to their projects.
Contact Us
Please contact upstreamcenter@stanford.edu with any questions regarding fellowship opportunities, eligibility, or selection criteria.