Translational Research Education for Cancer Solutions Post-Baccalaureate Program

Translation Research Education for Cancer Solutions Post-Baccalaureate Program

The University of Washington and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center now offer the Translational Research Education for Cancer Solutions (T-RECS) program, a new post-baccalaureate fellowship for recent college graduates who would like to pursue a doctoral degree in any STEM discipline or health profession. The program is funded through the American Cancer Society (ACS) Center for Innovation in Cancer Research Training (CICRT). Participants take part in a two-year cancer research experience and receive individual and professional development to help them prepare for a career in cancer research or care. The T-RECS program is directed by Nora Disis, MD, and James Alvarez, PhD, both of whom are highly experienced in cancer research and in leading research training programs.

Program Overview

Translating cancer research findings from discovery to patient and community benefits requires diverse, interdisciplinary teams of skilled researchers, working together to develop and deliver effective diagnostics, treatments, and approaches. This 2-year program is designed to prepare fellows for admission to competitive doctoral programs and strengthen their scientific identities and networks. Fellows will undertake two interconnected roles: researcher-in-training with an investigator at UW or Hutch, and student scholar, developing foundational knowledge and skills for graduate studies in translational cancer research.

Key Program Goals

• Develop long-term career goals and actionable development plans.
• Build knowledge and skills in translational cancer research, leadership, and team science.
• Be immersed in a mentored research experience.
• Cultivate a sense of belonging in the cancer research community.

Expected Workload & Funding

• Researcher-in-Training
  • 40 hours/week on a cancer research project with mentor & team
  • $50,000/year with benefits
• Student Scholar
  • 4-8 hours/week participation in training & career development
  • $5,000/year stipend + $4000+/year funds for professional development activity costs

Eligibility

This program is open to all first-generation students and students from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program is committed to broadening and enhancing participation of all students in cancer research careers. 

To be considered for the T-RECS program, applicants must: 

• Be a senior undergraduate or recent graduate with a bachelor’s degree in a STEM discipline or health profession. We will consider applicants more than two years post-graduation who are interested in changing careers and pursuing doctoral level training (e.g., shift from health profession to research).  
• Be a first-generation college student or an individual from a socioeconomically disadvantaged background.* 
• Be eligible for employment in Washington and agree to participate in the program full-time, including 40 hours/week employment and additional time for education and professional development activities. Simultaneous full-time enrollment in a graduate degree program will be prohibited. 
• Able to commit full-time effort in the program on the listed start date. 

*Socioeconomic disadvantage is defined as meeting two or more of the following criteria: 

1. Were or currently are homeless, as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act;
2. Were or currently are in the foster care system, as defined by the Administration for Children and Families; 
3. Were eligible for the Federal Free and Reduced Lunch Program for two or more years; 
4. Have/had no parents or legal guardians who completed a bachelor’s degree (see First-Generation and Continuing-Generation College Students PDF); 
5. Were or currently are eligible for Federal Pell grants; 
6. Received support from the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) as a parent or child; 
7. Grew up in one of the following areas: a) a U.S. rural area, as designated by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Rural Health Grants Eligibility Analyzer, or b) a Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services-designated Low-Income and Health Professional Shortage Areas (qualifying zip codes are included in the file). Only one of the two possibilities in #7 can be used as a criterion for the disadvantaged background definition. 

Program Activities

• Research
  • Mentored cancer research project
  • Associated research meetings & activities
• Workshops
  • Monthly workshops on key career development topics offered through Fred Hutch post-bacc program
• Scientific Meetings
  • Required: Participation and poster presentation at the annual ITHS Translational Science Expo
  • Recommended: Attendance and poster presentation at least one conference (selected with mentor)
• Coursework
  • Required: ITHS Clinical & Translational Research (CTR) Pathway
  • Optional: Other UW courses identified by mentors
• Mentoring
  • Regular meetings with research mentors
  • 2-4 meetings per year with second faculty mentor
  • Coaching & guidance from post-bacc program
• Social Support & Networking
  • Monthly meeting of post-bacc fellows, mentors & program co-directors
  • Post-bacc program & partner institution events
  • Cultural outings & activities
• Other opportunities
  • Community service or advocacy activities with ACS or other community organizations
  • Clinical shadowing of physician-scientists

Activity Milestones

Year 1: 2026

• January 2026
  • Start research project
  • Complete Individual Development Plan (IDP) with help from mentors
  • Develop SMART goals and initiate plans
  • Begin Year 1 Clinical & Translational Research (CTR) Pathway courses (Winter, Spring & Autumn Quarters)
• May 2026
  • Attend ITHS Expo
• July 2026
  • Review IDP
  • Identify doctoral programs of interest, and relevant deadlines and application materials needed
• September 2026
  • Begin Year 2 CTR Pathway courses
  • Present poster at ACS Postbacc Program Annual Meeting in Atlanta, GA
• December 2026
  • Completion of CTR Pathway courses

Year 2: 2027

• January 2027
  • Participate in Fred Hutch Research in Progress (RIP) Seminar Series
• March 2027
  • Visit identified programs of interest to inform selection
• May 2027
  • Present poster at ITHS Expo
  • Presentation at a scientific conference selected with mentor
• July 2027
  • Close out research project

Expectations for Scholars and Mentors

Download the PDF files below to learn more about program expectations.

• T-RECS Expectations for Scholars
• T-RECS Expectations for Faculty Mentors

How to Apply

Step 1: Gather Documents

1. Resume or CV
2. Undergraduate transcript (unofficial copy is acceptable)

Step 2: Prepare answers to the following prompts and questions (200 words max for each):

• Briefly describe your current career goals and explain how this post-bacc program would advance them.
• Which areas of cancer research and/or translational science interest you and why?
• Please provide a brief description of any relevant coursework or past research experience. Note that previous research experience is not required.
• Is there any information pertinent to your application that you would like to add that was not covered in the previous questions?

Step 3: Complete the application form (link below) and upload documents

Contact Us

If you have any questions about the T-RECS post-bacc program, please contact the ITHS Education team (ithsedu@uw.edu).