Participants apply by completing an electronic application. Applications are due by November 18, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. PST. A dedicated review committee will select participants on a competitive basis. The selection process aims to recruit early career scientists and physicians planning to transition to an independent position within academia, government or industry in the next 2-3 years. Twelve to fifteen emerging leaders in the field will be selected as the 2025 “Sparkies”. We encourage applicants with diverse background and diverse scientific expertise related to the topic of Cellular Therapies for Solid Tumors to apply.

• Leadership. Development of leadership skills to direct a research team within academia, government, or industry.
• Communication. Enhancement of scientific writing and presentation skills.
• Mentorship. Establishment of continued mentorship from world-renowned faculty and peers.
• Science. Design and implementation of innovative projects that address an unmet need in immune-oncology.
• Job search. Preparation for an academic, government, and industry job search.
• Running a Research Group. Better understanding of the challenges and responsibilities that new independent scientists face.
• Research Collaboration. Opportunity to form organic collaborations with peers and faculty to work cross-institutionally to efficiently create outcomes to enhance the field.
• Networking. SITC Sparkathon participants and alumni will develop affinity amongst their peers and the senior faculty.
• Engagement. Emerging leaders may receive more visible leadership opportunities within the society.

• Participants must plan to transition from their mentored position to a full-time independent role in academia, government or industry within the next 2-3 years. Example of these positions include: Post-Doctoral Fellow, Clinical Fellow, Research Associate, etc.
• It is desirable for applicants to have had some involvement with SITC, for example applicants can have: received a SITC award or fellowship; submitted an abstract; attended a SITC educational event such as the SITC Annual Meeting, Spring Scientific or collaborative program; created or updated their profile on the SITC Connect website, posted on a discussion board on the SITC CONNECT website; utilized SITC’s online resources; provided feedback to SITC in some way such as responding to a survey; etc.
• Participants must complete and submit an application by 5:00 p.m. PST on November 18, 2024. Complete applications will consist of: a.) a cover letter with a brief career development plan; b.) letter of recommendation from mentor; and c.) a one-page NIH-formatted Specific Aims Page, and d.) the applicant’s NIH biosketch.
  • Applicants should exhibit dedication and research related to the 2025 Sparkathon topic, “Cellular Therapy for Solid Tumors.”
  • Please review the complete application requirements and review criteria at the end of this document.
• Participants must be available to attend the two-and-a-half-day in-person retreat from March 10-12, 2025, in San Diego, CA and the 2025 SITC Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs* to participate in a one-day in-person program on November 5, 2025, in National Harbor, MD.
• Participants are strongly encouraged to attend the ECS activities at SITC 2025 such as the Grant Writing Workshop, Meet the Expert Lunch, Speed Mentoring, ECS and Sparkathon Receptions, etc.*
  • Accepted applicants will participate for free in the Sparkathon 2025 program and receive travel and lodging reimbursement for the program.
  • Accepted applicants will also receive travel and lodging reimbursement for attending the one-day program before the 2025 SITC Annual Meeting & Pre-Conference Programs.
  • Accepted applicants are strongly encouraged to attend and submit an abstract to the SITC Spring Scientific program, Cell Therapy for Solid Tumors, which takes place March 12-14, 2025, also at the Rancho Bernardo Inn in San Diego, CA. Accepted applicants will receive complimentary registration to the Spring Scientific.
  • Accepted applicants will need to write a perspective paper with their fellow Class of 2025 participants as an outcome of the program.
  • *Please note: Accepted applicants do not receive complimentary registration for the SITC Annual Meeting or Pre-Conference Programs. 

1. This document should state briefly:
   • Why you are interested in participating in the Sparkathon 2025 program
     and commitment to the program’s topic: Cellular Therapy for Solid 
     Tumors
   • Your involvement with SITC and/or the field of cancer immunotherapy 
     (such as through a committee; receipt of a Presidential Travel Award 
     or the Presidential Award; awardee of a SITC fellowship; submission 
     of an abstract; attending a SITC educational event such as an Annual
     Meeting, interim workshop or collaborative program; creating or 
     updating your profile on the SITC CONNECT website; posting on a 
     discussion board on the SITC website; using SITC’s online resources; 
     providing feedback to SITC in some way such as responding to a 
     survey; etc.)
   • Interest/passion for immunotherapy; Brief description of current and 
     future research and how it relates to the program topic
   • Your qualifications
   • Career Development Plan: Career objectives and plan to obtain a faculty 
     position in the next two years
   • Any additional information that will enhance your application and/or 
     address the review committee’s selected review criteria outlined in 
     section

1. Mentor’s Statement of Support: This letter should be from individual acting as a fellowship mentor to the applicant. It must clearly present:
   
   • The applicant’s role and academic appointment(s)
   • The sponsor’s role in the proposed research, including plans to provide support as necessary
   • Plans and potential for the applicant to develop into an independently funded investigator

1. One page NIH-formatted Specific Aims page on your future work in the area of Cellular Therapy in Solid Tumors.

1. The biosketch must include a history of applicant’s training, publications and full disclosure of all grants or awards currently received or pending.