SIRG Grad Research Assistantship

SIRG Graduate Research Assistantship

Funding opportunity title

SIRG GRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANTSHIP

Funding opportunity number

PICR-SIRG-FY2027-01

Key dates
Announcement	November 2, 2026
Due	January 29, 2027

Administrative contact

Sara Strasser (sstrasse@purdue.edu)

Funding opportunity description

The Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) has allocated SIRG Graduate Research Assistantships from the Office of the Executive Vice President for Research and Partnerships (EVPRP). The center is soliciting nominations from PICR faculty members (only) for outstanding graduate students undertaking cancer-related research.

The review will be a wholistic view of the candidate. The candidates record of accomplishments, volunteer and other activities and research, including cancer relevance, will be evaluated. Please indicate the predicted outcomes for the proposed research plan (publication(s) or/and the likely contribution of the research to internal or extramural grant submission). The trainee is expected to write the proposal in collaboration with their mentor.

To apply, please submit your electronic application by 5 p.m. on the cycle due date. No exceptions. The electronic submission system will not allow applications beyond the deadline. Once here, you can enter your Purdue username and password.

Qualifications/restrictions

Only students in good standing working towards their PhD degree may apply. Students must have passed the oral prelims and/or be admitted to PhD candidacy before June 1, 2027. If by June 1, 2027, an awardee has not fulfilled this requirement, the SIRG will revert to the institute. Applications that are submitted through other departments can be submitted to the institute in response to this call, providing the projects are cancer-relevant. Only one application per faculty member per year is allowed.

Applicant must be a trainee member of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research. Membership information and application can be found here.

Cost share

The amount of this award is a standard amount that the EVPRP office designates. Because every department/college has different stipend amounts, some cost share may be required from the faculty mentor to normalize the salary to fit with their respective department/program for its graduate students.

Funds available and anticipated number of awards

Number of available awards is contingent on funding.

Award budget

Not applicable.

Award project period

12 months

Award requirements

Recipients will be required to submit a one-page summary of the project in lay language before the award is activated.

Required Publication Acknowledgement

“The authors gratefully acknowledge the SIRG Graduate Research Assistantships Award and support from the Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, P30CA023168.” The awardee is required to include the cancer institute logo on their presentations and may contact the administrative contact listed above.

No cost extension (NCE)

No cost extensions are not allowed.

Regulatory

Please note the award is contingent upon obtaining all of the necessary regulatory approvals (e.g., IRB, IACUC, PACUC) or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pertaining to the work that has pending approvals.

Assistantship processing

Processed as RA assistantship by home department.  PICR will set up an account in Academic unit under the faculty PI for this award on the NCI Core grant.  Salary, fringe, Fee remits.  Cost distribution to be updated with new account.

Reporting

Responding to periodic requests of career impact is required. Triage of future applications may occur if reporting requests are ignored.

Application guidelines

1. Application Style: The application should be single-spaced, 11 pt Ariel font, with no less than 0.5-inch margins.
2. Required Application Structure:
   1. Curriculum Vitae
      1. Include educational background, publications, presentations, all awards, scholarships and grants and other honors, all activities including volunteer work and leadership.
   2. Explanation of how this research assistantship will help you, the cancer focus of your research, your involvement with PICR activities, and your short- and long-term career goals – No more than 1 page
   3. Summary with specific aims of the cancer research on which you will be working with significance of the research highlighted – No more than 3 pages.
   4. Cited Literature – not included in page limit
3. For the electronic submission, the items to upload should include (all combined into 1 file):
   1. Application – No more than 6 ½ pages
4. Items collected after submission:
   1. Letter of recommendation from the major professor which must include a paragraph stating the cancer relevance of the project and why it should be supported by a PICR SIRG award. Include the characteristics of the candidate that are likely to support a successful research career, their contributions to the lab, likely publications from the proposed research, teaching responsibilities if any, and any other notable characteristics. Once you submit your electronic application, your major professor will receive an automated email asking for this letter.

Review criteria

1. Cancer-relevance of the project
2. Impact the award will have on the development of the trainee. This can include the productivity/accomplishments of the trainee.
3. Trainee preparedness for the SIRG and likelihood of a successful research career given the characteristics of the applicant.

Announcement history and updates

Funding opportunity number	Summary of change
PICR-SIRG-FY2027-01	Initiation of announcement