Lily Drake Summer Undergraduate Cancer Research Program
The Lily Drake Summer Undergraduate Cancer Research Program supports undergraduate students conducting research related to the etiology, prevention, diagnosis, or treatment of cancer under the mentorship of USF science faculty.
The program runs for 8 weeks during the summer (June–July) and provides funding for:
- Student research stipends
- Faculty mentorship stipends
- Research materials and reagents
- Student conference travel
Student participants, referred to as Lily Drake Cancer Research Scholars, will present their work at the Lily Drake Cancer Research Showcase at the end of the program.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but full consideration will be given to applications submitted by Thursday, April 30, 2026.
Program Structure
Duration
8 weeks
Student Commitment
Scholars will work approximately 35 hours per week on their research project.
Program Activities
Participants will:
- Conduct cancer-related research under faculty supervision
- Participate in program kick-off lunch and cohort gatherings
- Present their work at the Lily Drake Summer Research Showcase
- Be eligible for conference travel support to present their research
Funding Structure
Typical funding per project:
Student stipend
$6,000
Faculty mentorship stipend
$2,500
Materials and reagents
Up to $2,500
Student travel support
Up to $1,000
Estimated total per project:
Up to $12,000
The number of projects funded each year depends on the availability of funds. For summer 2026, we are hoping to support 6-8 scholars.
Eligibility
Faculty
Principal investigators must be:
- Full-time tenure-track/tenured science faculty
- Administrators with tenure-track rank in the sciences
Students
Students must:
- Be currently enrolled undergraduate students at USF
- Be able to commit full-time for the 8-week summer program
- Have identified a faculty mentor prior to application
The application will be submitted jointly by the student but will require collaboration with the faculty mentor.
1. Research Project Description
Brief description of the cancer-related research project including:
- Background and significance
- Relevance to cancer research
- Specific goals for the summer research period
(approximately 1–2 pages)
2. Student Research Plan
Description of:
- The student's role in the research project
- Skills and techniques the student will learn
- Expected outcomes of the summer research
3. Mentorship Plan
Brief description of:
- Frequency of mentor meetings
- Training and supervision
- Integration of the student into the research group
4. Student Statement
Short statement from the student describing:
- Interest in cancer research
- Academic or career goals
- How the program will support their development
(approximately 500 words)
5. Budget
Itemized budget including:
- Student stipend
- Faculty stipend
- Materials and reagents (up to $2500)
- Student travel funds (up to $1000)
6. Student Materials
- Resume or CV
- Unofficial transcript
Applications will be reviewed based on:
- Relevance to cancer research
- Conceptual and technical merit
- Educational value for the student
- Strength of the mentorship plan
- Feasibility within the 8-week timeframe
Each funded project must produce:
- A research poster
- A presentation at the Lily Drake Cancer Research Showcase
- A brief final research report
Students are encouraged to present their research at regional or national conferences using the travel funds provided.
All presentations and publications must acknowledge support from the Lily Drake Cancer Research Fund.