ASCO Clinical Oncology & Research Experience (ASCO CORE) Grant

The ASCO Clinical Oncology & Research Experience (ASCO CORE) offers medical students immersive exposure to the field of oncology through shadowing experiences in clinical and research settings. With two distinct tracks, participants can gain insights into patient care or research practices, guided by mentors. Eligible students must be enrolled in a U.S. DO or MD program and maintain a good academic record. This program aims to inspire the next generation of oncology professionals.

Conquer Cancer, The ASCO Foundation
Our story began in 1984, when the American Society for Clinical Oncology (ASCO) granted its first Young Investigator Award to Dr. Judith Kaur. As the Society's portfolio of grants grew, so did the need for funding across the cancer landscape. And so, in 1999, ASCO leadership established Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, dedicated exclusively to raising funds to support cancer research, education, and vital programs.
The ASCO Clinical Oncology & Research Experience (ASCO CORE) aims to introduce medical students to the field of oncology and provide them with critical exposure to cancer topics, research, and patient care through an immersive shadowing experience. ASCO CORE features two distinct tracks for applicants to select from based on their desired goals and interests – the Clinical Oncology Experience and the Research Experience. During the experience, each participant will have a mentor whose role includes overseeing the student in their experience as well as providing academic and career guidance.
The Clinical Oncology Experience may take place in a private practice, hospital, or academic setting, with a focus on direct oncology-related patient care. Participants may preselect a mentor or ask for assistance in arranging a mentoring partnership with an ASCO Member. Applicants without a preselected mentor can request resources to assist in identifying and contacting a prospective mentor.
The Research Experience may take place in a private practice, hospital, or academic setting, with a focus on clinical, oncology-related research. Participants are required to apply with a preselected mentor and research plan.
Prior to the start of the experience, participants are required to attend the 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting where they will participate in an orientation session designed to prepare them for their experiences, help them cultivate peer relationships, and interact with oncologists from a variety of career and subspecialty settings through topical roundtable discussions. At the conclusion of the program year, participants will present a summary of their experience to their fellow participants in a Virtual Showcase.
Note: Students are eligible to participate in ASCO CORE a maximum of two times, with a limit of one participation per track. Previous participants of the MSR and OSI programs are eligible to participate in ASCO CORE once and may choose their preferred track.

Eligibility

Applicants must meet the following criteria to apply for ASCO CORE:
Be enrolled in a DO or MD program at a U.S. medical school.Have a good record of academic standing.Be an ASCO member. Students are able to obtain a FREE ASCO membership.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.