Scholarship Opportunities

We strive to increase diversity and promote equity in the academic disciplines that define us as a field. Scholarship and research programs through Radiation Oncology provide support for trainees in radiation oncology, radiation biology and medical physics by offering relevant resources and tangible research experiences that are instrumental to the pursuit of a higher degree in their respective field. Additional services such as scientific editing for grants and manuscripts and professional research consulting help in promotion of equity among our faculty. 

Master of Science in Medical Physics Scholarship

Two people working in lab wearing white coatsThe Master of Science in Medical Physics URM Scholarship is designed to support students from diverse backgrounds who are pursuing study in the field of Radiation Oncology. This scholarship is awarded annually to students of the Master of Science in Medical Physics. It is an applied as a partial tuition credit each semester. To learn more about the Master of Science in Medical Physics, please visit our Medical Physics Graduate Programs website.

Chair’s Summer Research Program

The Chair’s Summer Research Program provides support for trainees who want to pursue a well-defined summer research project that will lead to a manuscript submission by the Fall.  Announcements are sent out in the Spring of each year, requesting project and mentoring information from interested students. Support is awarded at the level of $4000 per student per year. Trainees are eligible to apply for subsequent years of funding upon demonstration of timely manuscript submission from previous projects. For further information, please contact Chief of Staff, Lora Furman (Lora.Furman@Pennmedicine.upenn.edu)

SUPERS ProgramClass of 2017

The Summer Undergraduate Program for Educating Radiation Scientists (SUPERS) is a competitive 10-week program for undergraduates from accredited academic institutes who seek to gain experience in laboratory-based biomedical research. 

SUPERS supports students from diverse backgrounds and the economically disadvantaged as members of the body of ~15-20 students that comprise each class annually. Students are individually paired with a faculty mentor to guide them through the process of developing and performing hypothesis-driven research in a biomedical discipline. This research is performed alongside a curriculum of classes and journal clubs that provide education in areas such as cancer biology, radiation biology, radiation physics and math, and cancer imaging. As its goal, SUPERS strives to prepare its trainees for higher education and a future career in translational research. For more information about SUPERS, please visit our website at SUPERS @ Penn

Professional Editing Services

The Department of Radiation Oncology offers scientific editing services for finalized drafts of high impact manuscripts and major grant applications.  These services are provided through a company that specializes in biomedical editing. To learn more about these services please contact Amanda Snyder (amanda.snyder@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) in the Research Division of Radiation Oncology. Please submit any requests for editing through the Research Division.   Junior faculty and trainees are offered priority and encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity.  

Consulting on Grant (NIH) Opportunities & Strategies

The Department of Radiation Oncology offers consulting services to provide existing or potential principal investigators with advice on identifying grant opportunities and strategies in grant writing. These services in grantsmanship are provided through Eric Bernhard, PhD, an independent research consultant. Dr. Bernhard is highly experienced as both a funded PI with a background in academia, as well as in grant administration as a former branch chief at the National Cancer Institute. To learn more about or request this service please contact Amanda Snyder (amanda.snyder@pennmedicine.upenn,edu)  in the Research Division of Radiation Oncology. These services are prioritized for junior faculty and/or first-time grant applicants.

The National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD)

The University of Pennsylvania is an Institutional Member of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD).  This organization is an independent professional development, training, and mentoring community of faculty, postdocs, and graduate students from over 450 colleges and university.  Sign up to access training and other resources.  

45+ College Scholarships for Minority Students

Published by Purdue University Global, 45+ College Scholarships for Minority Students shares financial aid scholarships for future and current students, as well as potential graduate students, to supplement the cost of education or professional development endeavors. Information on where to find scholarships and grants is included.  Highlighted within the resource are opportunities dedicated to specific demographics such as African Americans, Asian Americans, Latino Students and Native Americans, among others. The resource is maintained by Purdue University to provide up-to-date scholarship information from trusted organizations.

Other Resources

LGBTQ+ College Student Guide

Choosing the right school is vital for every incoming college student, but it can be more challenging for those who identify as LGBTQ+. In addition to obstacles that all students face, LGBTQ+ students need to consider whether the institution has LGBTQ-inclusive policies, programs, and practices. This guide by Intelligent.com provides prospective students and their families with tools to identify the right schools, an overview of common challenges, tips for applying, and details on the federal laws that protect LGBTQ students