Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring

Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring

Key dates
Announcement:	August 24, 2026
Submission due:	October 19, 2026

Purpose

The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) seeks to recognize exceptional mentoring by postdoctoral fellows who have demonstrated a commitment to supporting and guiding their peers in academic, research, and professional development endeavors in cancer research. An annual award of $1000 will be presented to a postdoctoral trainee who demonstrates sustained mentorship throughout their doctoral program in assisting undergraduate and/or graduate students in achieving their own research.

Exceptional postdoctoral mentors:

• Genuinely care about the mentee’s work and success, and especially about the mentee as a person.
• are respectful—they visibly respect all lab or team members, from undergraduates to the PI.
• are dedicated to their mentoring and prioritize it over other competing demands.
• are high achievers and model scholarly excellence.
• are actively involved at their institution and in their field; for example, you will see them contributing to graduate programs, department efforts, and societal organizations.
• are highly ethical; they proactively observe research ethics, including setting high standards for honest reporting, and closely follow research and safety protocols.

Eligibility

Applicants must have their PhD and be engaged in postdoctoral training under a limited-term contract at Purdue. This can include some Visting Scholars. Applicants must also be under the direction of a faculty member in one of the programs of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.

Nomination procedure

1. The application packet should be submitted as a single PDF file here by October 19, 2026.
2. The Cancer Research Training and Education Committee will serve as the selection committee.
3. Nominations will include in the following order:
   1. Curriculum Vitae
   2. A mentoring philosophy statement (500 words max)
   3. One letter of support from a supervisory PI (300 words max)
   4. One letter of support signed by one or more mentees (600 words max)

Recognition

The award recipient will be announced at the Annual PICR Recognition Awards Ceremony and will receive a $1000 monetary award and a plaque. Additionally, the awardee with be the PICR nominee for the Purdue OGSPS Excellence in Postdoctoral Mentoring Award.