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Postdoctoral Fellowships

California Breast Cancer Research Program

The recent changes to federal research priorities have opened gaps in breast cancer research and training in topic areas that scientists, advocates, clinicians, and policy makers identify as important for understanding, preventing and curing the disease. CBCRP recognizes that these federal re-prioritizations are undermining young investigators at a particularly vulnerable time in their career, therefore we are launching Bridge Funding Awards and re-instituting Full Fellowship Awards for predoctoral and postdoctoral fellows in our 2025-2026 Call for Applications.

Postdoctoral Fellowships: Breast cancer researchers hired as postdoctoral fellows by a California institution and mentored by an established breast cancer researcher. Up to $70,000 stipend/salary (plus institutional allowance) annually for up to 2 years.

All fellows including those from groups underrepresented in breast cancer research and/or those who wish to pursue careers focused on questions on environmental contributors to breast cancer, health disparities and population-level prevention of breast cancer are encouraged to apply.

In accordance with state and federal law, preference will not be given to trainees based on race, color, ethnicity, gender or national origin.

AI Based Application Success Predictor

1️⃣ Clear Benefit to Californians

This is the single most important CBCRP predictor.

Reviewers strongly prefer projects that:

Focus on breast cancer issues specifically affecting California communities

Include California-specific epidemiology, patient populations, environmental exposures, or policy contexts

Engage California-based partners (clinics, communities, public health agencies)

Predictor: Strong California relevance = significantly higher chances of funding.

2️⃣ High-Risk, High-Reward Innovation

CBCRP explicitly seeks bold, transformative ideas.

Successful projects often include:

New therapeutic targets or pathways

Novel imaging or diagnostic technologies

Innovative prevention strategies

Cutting-edge omics, computational biology, microenvironment analysis

First-in-concept translational approaches

Predictor: Innovative science with strong rationale, even if risky, is encouraged.

3️⃣ Community Engagement & CBPR (When Applicable)

CBCRP is one of the few funders that prioritizes community involvement.

Strong predictors include:

Partnering with community organizations early (planning stages)

Meaningful roles for patient advocates, survivors, and stakeholders

Co-designed research questions & dissemination plans

Addressing inequities in breast cancer outcomes

Predictor: Genuine, integrated community partnership — not tokenism.

4️⃣ Strong Focus on Disparities, Prevention, & Public Health Impact

CBCRP prioritizes:

Breast cancer health disparities affecting racial/ethnic minorities, low-income groups, rural populations, LGBTQ+ communities

Environmental risk factors (pesticides, endocrine disruptors, pollutants)

Policy-relevant research

Predictor: A proposal addressing structural inequities or environmental causes is highly competitive.

5️⃣ Clear Translational Pathway

Even for basic science, CBCRP expects:

Defined downstream impact on prevention, diagnosis, or treatment

A realistic trajectory toward future clinical trials or policy translation

Partnerships with clinicians, translational scientists, or public health entities

Predictor: A credible plan linking discovery → patient benefit.

6️⃣ Rigorous, Feasible Study Design

Strong CBCRP proposals have:

1–3 realistic, focused aims

Solid methodology (whether lab-based, clinical, or community research)

Recruitment or sample-access feasibility

Clear endpoints (biomarkers, patient outcomes, behavioral change, exposure measures)

Realistic timeline for a 1–3 year project

Thoughtful risk-mitigation strategies (important for high-risk proposals)

Predictor: Reviewers must believe the project can actually succeed.

7️⃣ Multi-disciplinary Collaboration

Best-performing projects frequently involve:

Oncologists

Epidemiologists

Molecular biologists

Environmental scientists

Community partners

Data scientists

Policy experts

Predictor: Interdisciplinary teams increase translational and community impact.

8️⃣ Strong Investigator Track Record OR Early-Career Potential

CBCRP funds both established investigators and new researchers.

Success predictors include:

For established PIs:

Publications in breast cancer or relevant translational fields

Leadership in collaborative research

Demonstrated ability to complete projects

For early-career applicants:

Mentorship structure

Protected time

Clear career-development plan

Predictor: Ability to deliver on the proposed work.

9️⃣ Well-Justified Budget & Efficient Use of Funds

CBCRP carefully evaluates budgets.

Strong applications:

Request appropriate funds for aims (not inflated)

Demonstrate cost-effectiveness

Justify personnel, supplies, community partner compensation, analytic costs

Are aligned with CBPRP’s emphasis on fair compensation for community collaborators

Predictor: A credible, fair, and efficient budget.

🚫 Common Pitfalls That Hurt CBCRP Applications

Pitfall	Why It Hurts
Weak California focus	Misaligned with CBCRP mission
Minimal community engagement	Major red flag for community-based categories
Very generic or low-risk science	Not competitive for innovation-driven funding
Lack of focus on disparities	Misses a core CBCRP priority
Overly ambitious complex projects	Not feasible under CBCRP timelines
Poor justification for methodological approach	Weakens reviewer confidence
Inadequate stakeholder involvement	Suggests limited real-world impact
Budget misalignment	Appears unrealistic or wasteful

Specialties

Cancer

Eligibility Requirements

To be eligible for these awards, fellows must:

currently be enrolled at a California institution in a doctoral degree graduate program (terminal masters degree allowed for Bridge Funding only) or hold the position of postdoctoral fellow as defined by the institution
work on a project that is focused on breast cancer in any of CBCRP priority areas. Review the CBCRP 2025-26 Cycle 32 Call for Applications for a full description of the priority areas.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: California Breast Cancer Research Program

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: University of California, Office of the President 1111 Franklin Street.Oakland, CA 94607

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