Scholar Program

What Does the STARS Scholar Program Include?

 

STARS Scholar program activities mostly take place at the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC), with some virtual meetings. Note that all STARS Scholar participants MUST have reliable access to Internet and Zoom to participate in the virtual elements of the program. Activities run July through October and include:

• Attend WCLC in person (travel and accommodations paid by the program).

• Access to online learning and webinars included in the STARS PRA program.

• Virtual conference prep and networking meetings prior to WCLC.

• Participate at WCLC in:

  • Wecome dinner for Scholars, Mentors, lung cancer clinician/researchers (Key Opinion Leaders, or KOLs), and IASLC staff.

  • An all-day workshop with STARS Scholars, experienced research advocate Mentors, and KOLs.

  • Designated WCLC sessions followed by a debrief with a KOL.

  • ​Poster walk with a small group of Scholars and a STARS Mentor.

  • Networking with STARS Mentors and other advocates attending WCLC.

• Submit a final report. 

 

We aim to schedule virtual meetings to accommodate all time zones in which participants live. To do this, we usually schedule two meeting times for each virtual event.  Events may take 60 to 90 minutes each, and happen twice a month on average.

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Topics covered in KOL debriefs will vary depending on the sessions offered at WCLC and availability of the STARS clinician/researchers.  Previous research-based topics included revised lung cancer staging classifications, how air pollution causes lung cancer, and the future of liquid biopsies.​  Scholars who participate fully receive a certificate of completion and will be added to the STARS Alumni group.

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Who Can Apply to the Scholar Program?

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The STARS Scholar Program is for people who have or had lung cancer and their family members. People who do not have this personal connection to a person who has or had lung cancer are not eligible to apply. Applicants must be active patient research advocates (see "Types of Cancer Advocacy" here). Examples of research advocacy activity are listed on our "Research Advocacy examples" page.  Previous participants in the STARS Scholar program may apply to participate the Scholar Program again.  Successful completion of the STARS PRA program is desirable, but is not required, and does not guarantee acceptance into the Scholar Program.

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Successful applications for the STARS Scholar program must demonstrate the following:​

• Current membership in IASLC (free to patient/survivors and caregivers--apply here).

• Proven accomplishments in lung cancer research advocacy (we recognize advocacy opportunities vary by country).

• A solid understanding of lung cancer science and the research process.

• Willingness to learn about and advocate for all types of lung cancer.

• Interest in using their skills and knowledge to educate others about lung cancer science and research.

• Ability to read, write, and speak in English.

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English is the primary language used in most international oncology conferences, including World Conference on Lung Cancer. Therefore, for participants to fully engage in the conference and the STARS program, along with networking opportunities, applicants need to be able to read, write and communicate in English. We want everyone to have an equal opportunity to benefit from the STARS program, and past participants who struggled with communicating in English found it challenging to maximize the program's benefits. 

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What is the Application Process?

 

All applications are completed and submitted online. The 2024 application period opens February 3 and closes March 15 at 12 pm (noon) Mountain Daylight Time (MDT, or Denver time). Interviews will be held via Zoom for qualified Scholar applicants between March 17 and April 4. Successful applicants will be notified by 5 pm MDT on May 2.

 

The application requires that you provide the name and email address of an established research advocate or researcher who is familiar with your patient advocacy activities.  The application form will email the person and direct them to an online survey. We suggest you contact your endorser early in the application process to ask if they are willing to provide a recommendation. If they agree, enter their name and email ASAP on your application (even if you haven't completed the entire application) to give the person plenty of time to submit the recommendation before the application period closes.  It is the applicant's responsibility to make sure the recommendation is received on time.

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Applications are are reviewed by a group selected from the STARS Admin Team, Mentors, past participants, and other lung cancer research advocates.

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