City of Hope's Cancer Genetics Career Development Program (CGCDP) promotes a dynamic exchange of information and ideas and a strong team-oriented approach to cancer genetics research.

To fulfill their CGCDP research requirements, trainees must:

• Choose a topic for research (with assistance of primary mentor) and select one or more cross-disciplinary mentors to assist in project design and implementation by week ten of the first traineeship year.
• Develop a project outline and timeline for completion by the first academic quarter and research progress reports on a quarterly basis thereafter. These are reviewed by the primary and cross-disciplinary mentor(s) and Executive Committee to allow for direction and guidance in completion of the project.
• Present work before a traineeship conference, held at completion of the first traineeship year.
• Second-year Fulfillment Requirements for Physician Trainees: Complete a second year of traineeship focused on additional research experience and crystallization of career development plans in cancer prevention and control research.
• As part of the thesis requirements, prepare a grant proposal (PHS398 format), with the preliminary results section generated through a research project conducted by the trainee with the guidance of the research mentor. Intramural peer review by thesis committee staff and/or extramural review as a proposal submitted to the NIH, such as the Cancer Prevention, Control and Population Sciences Career Development Award (K07).
• Depending on the individual trainee's prior experience and accomplishments during the traineeship, they may be appropriate candidates for the NCI Transition Career Development Award (K22) as a bridge to independent research leadership posts. The Mentored Patient-Oriented Research Career Development Award (K23) is also a possible pathway for Trainees who show exceptional promise in clinical research.
• All trainees can choose project mentors from a wealth of intra- and extra-mural researchers, all of whom have ample mentorship experience and funding to support the trainee.
• Appropriately qualified trainees with more significant prior research experience may seek a research project grant (R01).
• Additionally, second-year trainees will assume the role of Chief Trainee, providing continuity and peer mentorship for subsequent first-year trainees, which includes continued research activities for thesis development and coursework leading to Master’s degree qualification, as well as teaching duties and curriculum development.