Membership
Innovation and discovery are driven by collaboration. Membership in the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center connects researchers and clinicians across disciplines, fostering opportunities to collaborate, share expertise, and advance efforts to prevent, diagnose, treat, and manage cancer.
A Team Working to End Cancer
Membership in the Vanderbilt‑Ingram Cancer Center offers exceptional opportunities to collaborate and engage with Vanderbilt’s community of leading cancer researchers and physician-scientists. Members are invited to participate in a wide range of Cancer Center-sponsored activities, including the Seminar Series, Annual Retreats, and events hosted by Research Programs.
Members also have access to multiple intramural funding mechanisms designed to support early-stage research efforts and strengthen applications for extramural, peer‑reviewed funding. These opportunities include Cancer Center Support Grant Pilot Project Awards, Discovery Grants, Specialized Programs of Research Excellence (SPORE) pilot study awards, and Faculty Foundation Grants.
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center members belong to one of the seven Research Programs that best aligns with their research focus. Program membership helps foster collaboration and provides access to program‑specific activities and resources.
Criteria for Membership
Membership is open to faculty of Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt University Medical Center and its affiliated hospitals and clinics, Meharry Medical College, and Tennessee State University who meet the following requirements:
- Faculty rank of Research Assistant Professor or above
- Commitment to making significant, ongoing contributions to Cancer Center programs through participation in collaborative research, education, cancer prevention, cancer control, or cancer patient care activities
Types of Membership
Full Membership
Full members are those who have peer-reviewed cancer-relevant funding, clinical trial funding, are principal investigators on investigator-initiated trials, or are early-career faculty making significant contributions to cancer research.
Full program members are typically assigned to only one research program. Members assigned to more than one research program must have separate cancer-related activities in each program, usually funded by separate peer-reviewed research grants.
Associate Membership
Associate members are those who do not qualify for full membership but are performing cancer-relevant research.
Trainee Membership
This membership is open to students, fellows, and residents with the goal of supporting each educational stage and providing exposure to research programs, funding opportunities, and cancer research leadership development resources.
As a Trainee Member, you will gain access to:
- Opportunities to strengthen your cancer research identity and professional direction
- Personalized career and leadership development resources
- Networking, mentorship, and training opportunities across Vanderbilt University, Vanderbilt Health, and partner institutions
- Direct connections to Cancer Center Research Programs, faculty, and the broader scientific community
- Eligibility for select funding, workshops, and professional development opportunities
- Increased visibility within VICC, including opportunities to engage in leadership roles
Membership is open to the following groups:
- Undergraduate students
- Graduate students
- Medical students
- Postbaccalaureate fellows
- Postdoctoral fellows
- Clinical fellows
- Residents
How to Apply for Membership
Applicants seeking full or associate membership must complete an online application that involves selecting a primary Research Program and uploading a current CV and NIH Biosketch. The Research Enterprise Steering Committee (RESC) reviews applications monthly and makes recommendations for membership and program assignments to the Director, who has ultimate authority in appointing members. Membership is reviewed annually by the Research Program Leaders and the Director.
If you do not have a VUnetID or a VUMC ID and would like to apply for membership, please email Crissey Cameron, PhD.
Membership Resources
Some of these links require Vanderbilt login credentials.