The One NCT CMT Program combines protected time for clinical and translational research in the field of oncological trials with a structured, NCT-wide qualification program, mentoring and networking opportunities.

50% protected time for 12 months

NCT Heidelberg provides successful applicants with 50% protected time for a period of 12 months. This time is intended for participation in the CMT curriculum and associated scientific activities as well as for the further development of the fellow's own study or research trial idea.

Fellowships should normally start anytime between March and June 2027.

Applicants interested in starting outside this period may contact the NCT Heidelberg Coordination Office at koordination(at)nct-heidelberg.de. Alternative starting dates may be considered on a case-by-case basis, depending on program capacity and available funding.

Structured One NCT curriculum

The national One NCT CMT curriculum covers core competencies across the clinical trial lifecycle, including study design and endpoints, biostatistics, regulatory requirements and quality assurance.

These are complemented by specialized modules addressing topics such as biomarker development, innovative imaging technologies, artificial intelligence in clinical research and drug development, as well as overarching competencies including project management, scientific communication and leadership.

The curriculum is offered through flexible online learning format via a Moodle-based platform.

Successful completion of at least 80% of the CMT curriculum during the fellowship leads to a certificate of completion. For fellows who also participate in the NCT Masterclass (1-week in person training format taking place usually in January each year at Eisenach) during their fellowship, completion of at least 60% of the CMT curriculum is required for certification.

Mentoring and networking

Fellows benefit from mentoring and opportunities for interdisciplinary and cross-site exchange within the One NCT community. The program is intended not only to strengthen methodological and scientific expertise, but also to support longer-term career development and collaboration in clinical and translational cancer research.

Development of an OCT²-related study or research idea

A central element of the fellowship is the further development of the applicant's own clinical or translational research trial idea.

Clinical Trialists are expected to develop their study concept towards a competitive proposal for submission to the NCT OCT² program.

Medical Trialists contribute their methodological expertise to planned OCT² studies or develop a translational research concept in close collaboration with clinicians that can be submitted to the NCT OCT² Program.

The call is open to early- and mid-career clinician and medical scientists employed at one of the NCT Heidelberg supporting institutions:

• German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
• Heidelberg University Hospital (UKHD)
• Medical Faculty of Heidelberg University
• Thoraxklinik Heidelberg

Applicants must additionally meet the respective national eligibility criteria for either the Clinical Trialist or Medical Trialist track.

Clinical Trialists

Applicants should:

• hold a medical license; a doctoral degree is recommended;
• have completed a basic Good Clinical Practice (GCP) course;
• be able to prepare scientific manuscripts, study protocols and third-party funding applications in English;
• demonstrate a strong interest in pursuing a career focused on the conception, design and conduct of investigator-initiated clinical trials; and
• propose a study idea aligned with the requirements of the NCT OCT² Program.

The curriculum is accredited for Continuing Medical Education (CME), allowing physicians participating in the Clinical Trialist track to earn CME credits.

Medical Trialists

Applicants should:

• hold a completed Master's degree or State Examination in a relevant discipline, for example life or social sciences, biomedical sciences, biology, pharmacy, biostatistics, psychology, sociology, physics or engineering; a doctoral degree is desirable;
• be able to prepare scientific manuscripts and/or third-party funding applications in English;
• have experience in scientific projects related to clinical trials;
• demonstrate a clear interest in pursuing a career in clinical trial methodology; and
• propose a clinical translational idea aligned with the requirements of the NCT OCT² Program
• establish a clinical collaboration for their proposed idea

During the fellowship, participants are expected to actively engage in the CMT curriculum, mentoring and networking activities and to make use of their protected time to advance their study or research trial concept.

The applicant's department or clinic must support participation in the program and ensure the agreed 50% protected time, required for participation in the program.

If a study idea developed during the fellowship does not result in submission of an OCT² synopsis, the fellow will be asked to submit a short final report to the NCT Heidelberg Coordination Office outlining the progress achieved, the reasons why an OCT² submission was not pursued or was discontinued, and, where applicable, the remaining steps required for a future submission.

Please submit your application as one PDF document to the NCT Heidelberg Coordination Office at koordination(at)nct-heidelberg.de by  December 2, 2026.

The application should include:

• the completed application form, including a short study idea proposal according to the provided template (e.g. title, half to a page description of the study idea stating the precise question the study will address, relevance to NCT local and national, timeline of expected submission to the NCT OCT² program, relevant previous or current funding, mentor nomination)
• a letter of motivation;
• a CV, including publications and relevant experience;
• relevant certificates, as applicable (e.g. doctoral/PhD certificate, medical license, GCP certificate);
• two references; and
• letter of agreement from the head of department or supervising person that the applicant can be released from other duties for the proposed 50% protected time during participation to the program
• confirmation of clinical collaboration (required for Medical Trialist applicants only)

Applications meeting the formal eligibility requirements will undergo scientific evaluation by an interdisciplinary expert panel.

The evaluation will consider the application as a whole, with particular emphasis on:

• the quality, originality, feasibility and potential value to the patient of the proposed study idea;
• the applicant's scientific track record and relevant previous experience;
• the applicant's motivation and potential for further development in clinical and translational cancer research and/or clinical trial methodology;

The final decision on the award of NCT CMT Fellowships will be made by the Managing Directorate of NCT Heidelberg, considering the evaluation results and available funding.

Application deadline: December 2, 2026
Selection of fellows: by the end of January 2027
Start of fellowship: between March and June 2027
Duration: 12 months

For questions regarding the program, eligibility or possible fellowship starting dates, please contact the NCT Heidelberg Coordination Office at koordination(at)nct-heidelberg.de.