Trainee Membership

Because the Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC) is a matrix cancer center, where faculty and trainees are spread across campuses, graduate programs, departments, and HDFCCC programs, we have identified a major gap in the ability for trainees interested in cancer to connect to the robust opportunities offered by the HDFCCC. To make it easier for trainees to access the career development and networking opportunities offered at the HDFCCC and to help build a community of cancer research-focused trainees, the HDFCCC Office of Education and Training is creating the Trainee Membership. The primary goals of the trainee membership are: 

• Identify trainees who are interested in cancer 

• Foster a community of trainees interested in cancer 

• Facilitate more trainee-trainee interaction and near-peer support 

• Make trainees aware of the cancer center and the benefits of belonging 

• Strengthen the connection between OET and the trainees we serve 

Trainees at all levels and positions are welcome, including graduate students, postdocs, medical students, clinical fellows, residents, post-baccalaureates, and undergraduates. 

• Be a trainee as defined above 

• Have a UCSF email  

• Interested in any type of cancer research 

• Optional: Your PI is a member of the HDFCCC a plus but not required  

• Eligible for member-only awards (i.e., travel grants, see below) 

• Inclusion in HDFCCC communications and events 

• Career development and networking opportunities 

• Opportunity to be on the trainee advisory board, see below 

• Opportunities to participate in planning and leading trainee-targeted events – build experience for CV (i.e., moderate or chair a panel or session of trainee talks) 

• Opportunity to influence future OET opportunities 

• Opportunities for formalized mentoring of junior trainees 

For those trainees who apply and are accepted into the HDFCCC Trainee Membership between February and April 2026, you will be eligible to apply for the New Trainee Member Travel Grants. 

The New Trainee Member Travel Grants are meant to support trainee travel to a cancer-specific conference or, if the conference is not cancer specific, you must provide a justification for why the conference will advance your career in cancer research. You also must provide a detailed budget justification. Grants of $500 - $1500 will be awarded. Applications are due April 30, 2026, by 11:59pm.

Apply  Remember to first apply for the Trainee Membership.

The purpose of the HDFCCC Trainee Advisory Board (TAB) is to provide overall direction and feedback on the career development and mentoring resources and opportunities provided by the HDFCCC Office of Education and Training (OET). The TAB will help set strategic direction and provide advice to support the day-to-day execution of OET’s programs. The meetings will be during regular working hours. Please confirm with your mentor that you have the time to attend these meetings. Please see below for more information and a link to apply to be on the TAB.

Eligibility: TAB members need to be:

• A Trainee Member of the HDFCCC
• Have a UCSF email (exceptions may be made for undergraduates if they were a trainee in a summer program prior to applying for the TAB, but no longer have a UCSF email)
• Be able to attend 2 meetings per year
• Can commit to 1-2 years of participation on the board

Time Commitment: The TAB will meet 2 times per year for 1 - 1.5  hours. Between meetings, OET leadership may contact members via email with specific questions or request assistance in connecting with speakers, panelists, and other relevant individuals. We plan on scheduling meetings at least a month in advance. Meetings may occur virtually or in person.

Expectations:

• Attend meetings and provide feedback on OET initiatives
• Respond to emails between meetings
• Help promote the trainee needs assessment conduct by OET (every other year)
• Suggest names of potential speakers, panelists, and other relevant individuals

Term Limits: Board members must commit for a minimum of 1 year and a maximum of 2 years (with the option to extend). 

Apply