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CBTN Fellowship Program

Through the CBTN Fellowship Program, eligible medical trainees can bring a proposed project into the world’s largest collaborative pediatric brain tumor research network. Apply with the support of a primary mentor at your home institution, and, if selected, gain additional mentorship, collaborative connections, and guidance navigating relevant CBTN data, biospecimens, expertise, and research resources.

The CBTN Fellowship Program is an initiative of the CBTN Scientific Committee, led by Co-Chairs Javad Nazarian, PhD, and John Prensner, MD, PhD.

A strong research idea needs the right people, expertise, and resources behind it.

1

CONFIRM ELIGIBILITY

Confirm that you’re enrolled in an eligible residency or fellowship program, have a qualifying project idea, and have a primary mentor at your home institution.
2

SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION

Complete the online application with a one-page project proposal and current CV for rolling review by the CBTN Fellowship Program Committee.

START APPLICATION
3

RECEIVE PROGRAM FEEDBACK

Applicants can expect feedback within approximately two months, including an opportunity to refine and resubmit when appropriate.
4

DEVELOP YOUR PROJECT

Accepted fellows receive structured check-ins, mentorship opportunities, and guidance navigating relevant CBTN expertise and research resources for approximately one to two years.
5

GROW WITH THE NETWORK

Connect with investigators across CBTN, share your progress, and build relationships that can continue as your research career develops.

Questions before you apply?

Find more information about eligibility, mentorship, project requirements, resource access, and program expectations in the CBTN Fellowship Program FAQs below.

Need additional help?

Reach out to
operations@cbtn.org

Frequently Asked Questions

CBTN Fellowship Program

What is CBTN, and who oversees the CBTN Fellowship Program?

The Children’s Brain Tumor Network (CBTN) is the world’s largest collaborative research network dedicated to pediatric brain tumors. It brings together institutions, investigators, genomic and clinical data, biospecimens, cloud-based technology, and research expertise to accelerate discovery and improve outcomes for children and young adults.

The CBTN Fellowship Program is implemented by the CBTN Board of Directors Scientific Committee, which manages application review, selection, mentorship considerations, program capacity, and access to CBTN resources.

Is the CBTN Fellowship Program a grant or funding opportunity?

No. The CBTN Fellowship Program is a research mentorship and engagement opportunity designed to help eligible medical trainees develop projects by connecting them with CBTN expertise, collaborative infrastructure, and relevant research resources.

The program does not provide direct financial support or research funding, and participation does not guarantee access to specific datasets, biospecimens, services, publication opportunities, presentations, endorsements, or future grant success.

Who is eligible, and what do I need before applying?

Applicants must be currently enrolled in one of the following programs:

  • Pediatric Hematology/Oncology Fellowship
  • Pediatric Neuro-oncology Fellowship
  • Pediatric Neurology Residency or Fellowship
  • Neurosurgery Residency
  • Radiology and Neuro-radiology Residency or Fellowship
  • Pathology and Neuropathology Residency or Fellowship

Applicants must propose a project that meaningfully uses CBTN resources and/or the CBTN network and identify a primary mentor at their home institution who will provide scientific oversight.

The online application will also require:

  • A one-page project proposal
  • A current CV
  • Information about the applicant’s training program and home-institution mentor
  • A description of relevant CBTN resources, expertise, or data types that may support the project

Applicants may request help identifying an additional CBTN-affiliated mentor, but this does not replace the requirement for a primary home-institution mentor.

How are applications reviewed, and when will I receive feedback?

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis by the CBTN Fellowship Program Committee based on scientific merit and feasibility, alignment with CBTN resources and mission, educational value, mentorship availability, and potential for future scholarly development.

Applicants can expect feedback within approximately two months. When appropriate, feedback may include recommendations for refining the proposal and an opportunity to revise and resubmit.

The pilot cohort is expected to include approximately one to five fellows, depending on available program resources and mentorship capacity.

What support can accepted fellows expect?

Accepted fellows may receive approximately one to two years of program support, depending on project scope and training timeline, including:

  • Quarterly check-ins with CBTN staff and program leadership
  • Guidance identifying relevant CBTN data, biospecimens, imaging, expertise, and other resources
  • Limited consultation with CBTN data and operations teams
  • Potential connection to an additional CBTN-affiliated mentor
  • Networking and possible opportunities to share research progress with the CBTN community

Access to specific CBTN resources remains subject to applicable scientific review, governance, availability, and data-access processes. 

For additional questions about the CBTN Fellowship Program, contact the CBTN Operations Team at operations@cbtn.org.