Frequently asked questions about the Empower Fellowship

Q: Who may apply?

Applicants must:

  • Be a current University of Delaware student in the College of Arts and Sciences in good academic standing,
  • Have previously attended the Science Discovery Tour in the years preceding their application to the program (register for Discovery Day)
  • Be at least eighteen (18) years of age,
  • Pass a mandatory health and drug screening, and background check,
  • Have relevant immunizations/vaccinations (MMR, VAR, COVID, TB, TDAP, HB/HepB declination form, FLU) and pass a 2-step TB test,
  • Agree to complete all homework by assigned due dates, and
  • Commit to work full-time for 10 consecutive weeks at Fox Chase Cancer Center

Q: When does the fellowship begin and end?
This summer fellowship begins in early June and ends in mid-August. The final symposium occurs in mid- to late-August.

Q: How do students apply?
Students complete an online application and submit a current transcript to Dropbox. Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit a letter of recommendation. Letters of recommendation must be sent directly from the recommenders via Dropbox. Finalists will be interviewed prior to selection. Applications will be available in mid-October and due in early December.   

Q: How much does the fellowship cost?
Fox Chase Cancer Center believes it is critical to provide training for any and all motivated students regardless of a student’s financial status. Students receive free housing and are paid a stipend of $5200 for ten weeks of full-time work. The fellowship and housing are equally supported by a grant from the National Institutes of Health (R25 CA259244), philanthropic support from Thomas and Kay Hofmann, and through ongoing institutional commitment from the Fox Chase Cancer Center and the University of Delaware. 

Q: What can students expect during the fellowship?
The fellowship provides a unique opportunity for students to learn whether scientific research is an appealing career path and to acquire many important life skills that will be useful regardless of future career choices.  Each student will join a research lab and receive one-on-one mentoring with a research scientist.  Students are expected to complete a research project and present their findings at the end-of-fellowship culminating event in mid-August.  In addition to time in the lab, students meet weekly with fellowship staff to focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills, professional and career development as well as written and oral communication skills.  Students are also expected to attend a weekly career development seminar series as well as serve as near-peer mentors for visiting student groups.

For more information about the Empower Fellowship, Dr. Theresa Austria, Manager of Academic Programs and Training at [email protected].

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