DF/HCC Initiative to Eliminate Cancer Disparities

Student Training Programs


Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) , a comprehensive cancer center that brings together the cancer research efforts of seven member institutions (Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston Children's Hospital, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, and Massachusetts General Hospital), is committed to building the most diverse and well-trained cancer research workforce in the world.

The DF/HCC Young Empowered Students for Continued Research Engagement (YES for CURE) program is a 2.5 YEAR program providing training experiences for high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented minority populations interested in a career in science or research. Students engage in hands-on, mentored research with basic, clinical, population science or nursing research investigators in research environments within DF/HCC.

The DF/HCC UMass Boston Summer Program to Advance Research Careers (SPARC) is a one-time, 12 WEEK program providing an intensive research experience focused on emerging technologies (ET) in cancer and cancer disparities. SPARC students will engage in full-time mentored cancer research experiences in research environments across DF/HCC and UMB. SPARC students will be first or second year students selected from UMB and its top feeder community colleges: Bunker Hill, Roxbury, and Mass Bay.

The Summer-Only Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) program is a highly competitive 8 - 12 WEEK summer program for high school and undergraduate students from underrepresented populations. Students conduct hands-on, mentored basic, nursing, clinical and/or population science research at DF/HCC.

The HBCU Continuing Umbrella of Research Experiences (CURE) program is a highly competitive 12 WEEK summer program for undergraduate students attending a historically black college or university. Accepted students conduct hands-on, mentored basic, nursing, clinical and/or population science research at DF/HCC. Additionally, housing and transportation costs are covered.

Applications for 2025 will open in the Fall of 2024.

Do you have questions or are you experiencing technical difficulties? Please contact iecd@partners.org.