[Hope Foundation](https://thehopefoundation.org)

June 1, 2026 (Application deadline)

All workshop costs (travel, meals, lodging, materials) are fully covered for selected investigators; no direct research funds provided.

Intensive mentorship and training program to help SWOG investigators develop new clinical trial concepts for the National Clinical Trials Network.

--- ## Description The SWOG Leadership and Project Development Course is the flagship training and mentorship program of the SWOG Cancer Research Network, funded by the Hope Foundation. Established in 1999, the course is designed to support early-career oncology investigators and clinical scientists in developing rigorous, feasible clinical trial concepts within SWOG. Participants receive intensive mentorship from senior SWOG leaders, engage in an online curriculum, and participate in a three-day in-person workshop to refine their trial proposals. The program aims to foster new leadership within SWOG and help launch impactful cancer clinical trials. --- ## Due Dates - June 1, 2026: Application deadline for the 2026 course --- ## Funding Amount - All costs for the in-person workshop—including travel, meals, lodging, and materials—are fully covered for selected investigators and their institutions. - No direct research grant or stipend is provided; funding is in the form of full sponsorship for participation in the course. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must have prior experience with SWOG or commit to future involvement. - 4–6 investigators are selected each year. - Eligible applicant types: - Oncology fellows (including medical, surgical, radiation oncology, prevention, etc.) - Clinical or research scientists (Assistant or Associate Professor, Instructor, or Lecturer; 0–10 years of experience) - Clinical or research scientists at the faculty level in disciplines other than Medical Oncology --- ## Application Process Applicants must submit the following materials as a single PDF: - NIH Biosketch (5 pages max) - Letter of Interest (statement of motivation) - Letter of Recommendation from Institutional Sponsor (preferably a SWOG Principal Investigator) - Letter of Support from the relevant SWOG Committee Chair - Scientific Plan (following the provided outline) - Assurances & Signatures page Full application details and required forms are available on the [program page](https://thehopefoundation.org/funding-opportunities/young-investigator-training-course). If the application deadline falls on a weekend or federal holiday, it is automatically extended to the next business day. --- ## Additional Information - The course culminates in a three-day workshop (tentatively September 16–18, 2026) in Seattle, WA. - Selected participants work closely with SWOG's senior leadership to develop trial concepts suitable for the National Clinical Trials Network. - Past participants have advanced to leadership roles within SWOG and have launched numerous clinical trials. - The program is highly competitive and central to SWOG’s leadership development pipeline. --- ## External Links - [Program Page & Application Instructions](https://thehopefoundation.org/funding-opportunities/young-investigator-training-course) - [2026 Request for Applications (PDF)](https://thehopefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LEAP-RFA-2026.pdf) - [Scientific Plan Outline (PDF)](https://thehopefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/LEAP-Scientific-Plan.pdf) - [Assurances & Signatures Form (PDF)](https://thehopefoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Assurances-and-Signatures-LEAP.pdf) - [How Young Investigators Can Join SWOG’s Work](https://www.swog.org/news-events/news/2021/12/03/how-young-investigators-can-join-swogs-work) --- ## Contact Information | Name | Email | Phone | |----------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------| | Jo Horn | [jo@thehopefoundation.org](mailto:jo@thehopefoundation.org) | (734) 998-7150 | | Hope Foundation (general) | [Contact Form](https://thehopefoundation.org/contact/) | (734) 492-0277 |

Swog Leadership and Project Development Course

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