Program Overview
The University of Maryland Marlene and Stewart Greenebaum Comprehensive Cancer Center (UMGCCC) has been awarded a prestigious National Cancer Institute (NCI) Career Development Award to support the Advancing Oncologic Research Communities in Health Equity (ARCH) K12 Program, a new initiative designed to train the next generation of oncology researchers focused on improving cancer outcomes across populations.
The award was granted to Principal Investigators Drs. Taofeek Owonikoko, Stuart Martin, and Rebecca Nowak under the NCI Worta McCaskill-Stevens Career Development Award for Community Oncology and Prevention Research (Award Number K12CA301384). This funding enables UMGCCC to launch the ARCH K12 Program beginning in 2026.
The ARCH K12 Program is designed to enhance research training and education for post-doctoral fellows, junior faculty, and other early-stage investigators by supporting the integration of population-focused investigations into oncology research. The program prepares newly trained clinicians and investigators for independent research careers in community oncology, cancer prevention, and treatment research, and facilitates their transition to advanced funding mechanisms such as NIH K08, R01, or equivalent awards. Scholars will receive two years of comprehensive support, including salary support, research funding, tuition assistance, and travel funds.
Through this NCI-funded award, UMGCCC reinforces its commitment to developing a diverse and well-trained oncology workforce dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving outcomes across populations.
How to Apply
Applications for the first cohort of Scholars are now open! Click below for information and materials:
Informational Webinar:
Tuesday, February 24, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. EST
Virtual: Register Here for Zoom Link
Program Benefits
- Work with an experienced mentorship team designed to optimize their institutional support, national presence, and transition to scientific independence.
- Participate in foundational coursework and didactic instruction in population-focused research, responsible conduct of research, clinical and translational research, scientific writing, and cancer prevention.
- Participate in professional development activities to support transition to scientific independence, including manuscript preparation and grant submission.
- Conduct a research project focused on improving cancer outcomes across populations, resulting in a scholarly product (e.g., abstract, manuscript, or grant application).
- Receive salary support up to $110,000 for 75% of full-time professional effort for two years
- Receive up to $30,000 for research-related expenses, tuition and fees related to required career development courses and activities, travel to scientific meetings, and training and statistical services.
Eligibility
- Doctoral degree such as: MD, DO, DDS, DMD, OD, DC, PharmD, ND (Doctor of Naturopathy), DNP (Doctor of Nursing Practice), and DVM. Individuals with a PhD or other doctoral degree in clinical disciplines such as medical physics, clinical psychology, nursing, clinical genetics, speech-language pathology, audiology, or rehabilitation are also eligible.
- Must be a late postdoctoral fellow preparing to transition to faculty based on research productivity or an early career faculty member, with an active research program, who has not successfully achieved a career development award.
- Scholars are required to devote a minimum of 9 person-months (75%) of full-time professional effort to conducting health-related research with the remaining effort devoted to activities related to the development of a successful research career.
- Surgeon-scientists with surgical duties may request a minimum of 6 person-months (50% full-time professional effort) to the K12. A clear justification must be provided in the application when requesting less than 75% full-time professional effort (less than 9 person-months).
- A U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national of the U.S., or have been lawfully admitted for permanent residency at the time of appointment.
ARCH K12 Program Leadership
Key Dates
Applications Due: April 8, 2026 at 5:00 p.m. ET
Notification of Selection: June 1, 2026
Start Date: September 1, 2026
Cohort 1: September 1, 2026 – August 31, 2028
Contact
For more information, contact:
ARCHK12@som.umaryland.edu