STARS Training Program - Applications now open

Applications are now open for Cycle 6 of STARS (Strategic Training Achievements for Research Success), a nine-month, distance-based training program of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Center for Global Health. STARS strengthens cancer research capacity in sub-Saharan Africa by training investigators and research staff.

The program offers two tracks:

• Principal Investigator (PI-STARS) Track: For doctoral-level investigators (PhD, MD/MBChB, or equivalent) building skills in research leadership, study design, proposal development, peer review, and grant submission.
• Project Manager (PM-STARS) Track: For anyone interested in gaining project management skills to support the conduct of cancer research, including preparation for the Project Management Institute (PMI) Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) exam.

All trainees begin with a shared two-month core curriculum (PROMOTE) covering ethics, regulatory governance, fiscal management and research logistics. Over five training cycles, STARS has trained 147 cancer researchers and research staff from 19 African countries. There is no cost to participate in the STARS program.

Key dates:

• Letter of Intent due: December 18, 2026
• Application due: February 5, 2027
• Training begins: May 21, 2027

Learn more on the STARS website

Questions can be directed to d43grant@dfci.harvard.edu.