Programs
Our next “Summer Cancer Bootcamp” course will occur in I3S, Porto, 30th June-7th July 2025.
“
This course was truly transformative! The depth and breadth of topics covered, from cancer metabolism to cutting-edge therapeutic approaches, gave me a more comprehensive understanding of the field.”
The Summer Cancer Bootcamp is an immersive 10-day program.
The Summer Cancer Bootcamp is an immersive 10-day program designed to provide 30 early-career scientists and clinicians with intensive training in cancer research methodologies and cutting-edge scientific advancements. Participants engage with more than 20 world-class faculty from the US, PT, and EU through hands-on workshops, expert-led lectures, and collaborative research projects. Courses are organized yearly in Portugal, each year in a different location, close to a top research center, and decided by the summer course committee. The first course occurred in the summer 2024 at the Champalimaud Foundation. It was funded by Teresa and Jose Ivo, Nina and Lisa Lesavoy, Ronald A. DePinho, Dewey Stringer, Adopt-A-Scientist Cure Cancer Foundation, and Champalimaud Foundation. The second course will occur in the summer 2025 at I3S, Porto.
The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of subjects.
Foundational and Advanced Topics: The curriculum covers a broad spectrum of subjects, including the history of cancer, oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, tumor microenvironment, mechanisms of therapy resistance, cancer cell plasticity, epigenetics, and cancer metabolism.
Career Development: Dedicated sessions focus on grant writing, science communication, and exploring diverse career paths in cancer research.
Interactive Learning: Participants benefit from hands-on workshops, expert-led lectures, and collaborative research projects, fostering critical thinking and practical skills.
Research opportunities and career advancement.
The program facilitates interactions with renowned faculty members and peers, promoting the exchange of ideas and potential collaborations. Participants gain insights into emerging research areas and methodologies, enhancing their potential for future research opportunities and career advancement. The 1st Course occurred at the Champalimaud Foundation (24 June – 3 July 2024)
The “feedback” from the first course was great:
“Meeting and interacting with leading cancer researchers from both Portugal and the USA was an invaluable experience. I left with new insights and potential future collaborators.”
“This course was truly transformative! The depth and breadth of topics covered, from cancer metabolism to cutting-edge therapeutic approaches, gave me a more comprehensive understanding of the field.”
Long-term career development:
An alumni community will be fostered to ensure students that attend the course continue having access to training, mentoring and networking in the years ahead.
Eligibility and Selection Criteria:
Every year institutions will make proposals to host a course that will be evaluated by the working group. The working group will make decisions to ensure that most Institutions that work on cancer and students benefit from this activity. Courses are open to PhD students, physician-scientists, and early-stage postdoctoral fellows working in cancer biology or biomedicine. Applicants are required to submit a completed application form by the specified deadline. Applicants are evaluated by the course faculty based on academic excellence, research experience, and potential for contribution to the field. Full and partial scholarships are available for qualified applicants.
Sign up now for our upcoming Summer Cancer Bootcamp before spots run out! The program will take place at i3S, Porto, from June 30 to July 7, 2025.