James D. Ahlgren Oncology Award
Audience: Residents, fellows, and early-career oncology trainees
Funding: Variable financial support for professional development activities
This award provides funding to support residents and fellows who are pursuing careers in oncology and related fields. It is designed to invest in early-career physicians as they begin to contribute to the field and advance their professional development.
Recipients may use funds to support a range of scholarly and professional activities that strengthen their academic and clinical training in oncology.
Supported activities include:
- Presenting research at scientific meetings
- Attending regional, national, or international conferences
- Publishing manuscripts and covering related fees
- Supporting research-related and educational expenses
The award aims to reduce financial barriers and enable trainees to engage more fully in the collaborative and scholarly activities that drive progress in cancer care, and prepare rising oncology leaders to advance innovation, education, and patient care.
Pediatric Hematology and Transfusion Medicine Multidisciplinary Research Training
Institution: Children’s National Hospital
Audience: Residents and fellows
Cohort size: 1–2 trainees per year
Duration: 2–3 years
Leadership: Naomi Luban, MD, and Catherine Bollard, MBChB, MD
Funding: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (T32 HL110841)
This program prepares trainees for academic leadership and independently funded research careers. Participants:
- Work with physician-scientists and translational researchers
- Advance care for infants and children with complex diseases
Research focus areas include:
- Immunology and immunotherapies
- Hematology
- Transfusion medicine
- Cardiovascular and pulmonary diseases
T32 Cancer Biology Training Program
Institution: George Washington University Cancer Center
Audience: Predoctoral and postdoctoral researchers
Duration: Typically up to 5 years
Funding: National Institutes of Health (T32)
Leadership: Norman Lee, PhD, and Edward Seto, PhD
This program provides mentored research training for predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees pursuing careers in cancer biology. It is designed to prepare the next generation of scientists to advance discoveries in cancer research and translate those findings into clinical applications.
Trainees work closely with faculty mentors and advisory committees to conduct interdisciplinary research while completing a structured curriculum in cancer biology and related fields.
Research and training focus areas include:
- Cancer immunology and immunotherapy
- Cancer signaling and genomics
- Cancer epigenetics and emerging technologies
The program integrates three core components: mentored research, formal coursework and seminars, and career and professional development, including grant writing and scientific communication.
Participants gain the analytical and technical skills needed to address complex problems in cancer biology and are prepared to transition to independent research careers in academia, industry, and clinical investigation.
Blood and Marrow Transplantation and Cellular Therapy (BMTCT) Fellowship
Institution: Children’s National Hospital in partnership with the National Institutes of Health
Audience: Fellows (post–hematology/oncology training)
Cohort size: 1–2 fellows per year
Duration: 1 year
Leadership: Lea Cunningham, MD, and Anant Vatsayan, MD
This program provides advanced clinical and research training for fellows pursuing careers in pediatric blood and marrow transplantation and cellular therapy. Fellows gain experience in the full continuum of care, including initial consultation, treatment, and long-term follow-up, across inpatient and outpatient settings.
Fellows train in a joint program between Children’s National Hospital and the National Institutes of Health, working with physician-scientists and interdisciplinary care teams to manage complex conditions.
Research and clinical focus areas include:
- Hematologic malignancies
- Bone marrow failure syndromes
- Immunodeficiencies
- Cellular therapies, including CAR T-cell and gene therapies
Participants complete structured clinical training and have dedicated time to pursue research in clinical and translational science. By the end of the program, fellows are prepared to independently manage transplant and cellular therapy patients and to advance in academic and research leadership roles.
K12 Child Health Research Career Development Award
Audience: Pediatric fellows and early-career investigators
Cohort size: 1–2 scholars per year
Leadership: Robert J. Freishtat, MD, MPH
Funding: K12 HD001399
This program supports the development of pediatric physician-scientists pursuing careers in basic and translational research.
Children’s National Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (CNStARR) Program
Institution: Children’s National Hospital
Audience: Pediatric residents
Cohort size: Competitive selection
Duration: 12–24 months of integrated research training
Funding: NIH-supported program with approximately $20,000 annual stipend
This program supports pediatric residents who are committed to pursuing careers as clinician-scientists. Through a competitive selection process, participants integrate dedicated research training into their residency, combining clinical education with mentored research experiences.
Residents complete 12 to 24 months of funded research within an extended residency framework, allowing for the development of skills in basic, clinical, or translational science.
Program features include:
- Structured, mentored research training with faculty and mentorship committees
- Integration of research within a four- or five-year residency program
- Financial support for research and career development activities
- Opportunities to prepare for advanced research training and career development awards
Participants receive individualized mentorship and professional development support to strengthen their research skills and academic trajectory. By the end of the program, residents are well positioned to pursue fellowship training, career development awards, and long-term careers in academic pediatrics and clinical investigation.
K12 Child Health Research Career Development Award
Institution: Children’s National Hospital and Children’s National Research Institute
Audience: Junior faculty (pediatricians)
Cohort size: 1–2 scholars per year
Funding: National Institutes of Health (K12 HD001399)
Contact: Robert J. Freishtat, MD, MPH
This program supports the development of pediatric physician-scientists pursuing careers in basic and translational research. It is designed for junior faculty committed to advancing scientific discovery and improving child health through bench-based investigation.
Scholars receive mentored training and dedicated time to develop independent research programs, with a focus on building the skills necessary to secure extramural funding and sustain academic research careers.
Program features include:
- Structured mentorship from established investigators
- Dedicated protected time for research
- Career development support focused on grant writing and academic advancement
- Integration within a collaborative research environment at Children’s National
Participants are expected to pursue rigorous research aligned with their long-term career goals and to contribute to the advancement of pediatric science. By the end of the program, scholars are well prepared to transition to independent, externally funded research careers.
Institution: George Washington University Cancer Center
Audience: Clinical fellows (hematology and oncology)
Duration: 1 year
Funding: $75,000
This program provides a mentored career development opportunity for clinical fellows pursuing careers in cancer research. The program is designed to support the transition to independent investigators in clinical and translational oncology.
Scholars work closely with a primary mentor and an advisory committee to develop and implement research projects that progress from retrospective studies to the development of prospective clinical trial concepts.
Program features include:
- Individualized mentorship from experienced cancer researchers
- Structured career development focused on clinical and translational research
- Participation in national and institutional training programs in clinical research methods
- Protected time to conduct research and develop independent projects
Participants are expected to dedicate a significant portion of their effort to research and career development activities. By the end of the program, scholars are prepared to advance clinical trial concepts and pursue independent funding to support careers in academic oncology research.
Program Updates
The KL2 Mentored Career Development Core Scholars Program is no longer active and has been removed from current offerings.