CPRIT Graduate Scholar Program

Application Instructions:
Required documents must be compiled into a single PDF file (less letters of recommendation) in the order listed
(under “Required documents”) and submitted via email to Dr. Lewis: keleonard@mdanderson.org
Page formatting: 1-inch margins on all 4 sides.
Font: Arial or Helvetica, 11pt.

Required Documents:

Submitted by Applicant:
1. A 2-page research proposal written by the CPRIT Graduate Scholar Candidate. This should include the
significance of the project and its relevance to cancer, theoretical aspects guiding the study (e.g., hypothesis),
goals of the project, and expected outcomes. A two-page limit is enforced but references may be included in
additional pages. Text and figures on additional pages will not be considered.
2. A current curriculum vitae for the applicant.
3. Undergraduate transcript- an unofficial transcript is sufficient.
4. GSBS status report and all advisory committee reports to date. For GSBS reports, please contact Ms. Bunny Perez
at Lourdes.V.Perez@uth.tmc.edu
5. A statement of commitment by the CPRIT Graduate Scholar candidate and dissertation mentor that indicates the
applicant’s intent to participate in all required activities of the CPRIT Graduate Scholar Training Program listed
below and the mentor’s support for this participation (1-page limit).
• Attendance and participation in the program’s monthly journal club.
• Attendance and participation in the program’s annual Shark Tank event.
• A maximum of 4 hours participating in CPRIT and UPWARDS summer program activities with our
undergraduate and high school trainees. Such activities may include, but are not limited to, judging the
summer program’s elevator and poster competition.
• A 3-hour time commitment (annual) for note taking at TRIUMPH fellows’ committee meetings.
During each 1 hour meeting, Graduate Scholars will take notes and provide them to the fellow and
his/her mentor within 48 hours of the meeting. As meeting dates and times are finalized, an email will
go out to the Scholars to sign up.

Submitted by Mentor/Co-Mentor:
1. A training plan written by the applicant's dissertation mentor, including plans for scientific oversight of the
project, mentoring of the candidate, how the project is expected to facilitate the trainee's career goals in cancer
research, career development opportunities that will be encouraged/supported, and the mentor's overall
research goals. In addition, the mentor must affirm that only one application per lab will be submitted per award
announcement cycle. (1-page limit)
2. A statement from the CPRIT Faculty Mentor or CPRIT Co-Mentor indicating willingness to serve as a member of
the CPRIT Graduate Scholar's supervisory committee*.
3. A letter of recommendation from the primary graduate mentor**.

Submitted by Recommenders:
1. Two additional letters of recommendation should be submitted in support of the CPRIT Graduate Scholar's
application**. Recommendation letters should be sent in PDF format from the referee's institutional email address to keleonard@mdanderson.org. Please include the applicant's name and CPRIT Graduate Scholar in the subject line. Letters of support should be received on or before the day the application closes.

*The statement on willingness to serve may be combined with the CPRIT Faculty Mentor or Co-Mentor’s letter of
recommendation.
**If a co-mentor is to be included, the co-mentor should provide one of the two required letters of recommendation.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the application and letters of support are submitted by the
deadline of June 4, 2025.