The application period for the 2026-27 ASCO Leadership Development Program: Education Scholars will open September 1, 2025 through November 17, 2025. Click here to learn more about the program and application requirements.

Program Objectives

ASCO Leadership Development Program: Education Scholars participants will:

• Undergo leadership skills and learning science training to enhance the effectiveness of ASCO's education.
• Develop expertise in evidence-based education and the design of educational activities.
• Apply effective teaching strategies to optimize learning.
• Serve as a leader and change agent in the field of medical education.
• Become part of a community of ASCO education scholars.

The curriculum includes information related to the following:

• Design Thinking
• Mechanisms of Learning
• Instructional Methods
• Leadership Skills

Program Format

Each year, ASCO accepts 12 participants. ASCO encourages application submissions from all practice settings and oncology subspecialties.

Participants will be required to attend and actively participate in five sessions:

• Orientation: 2026 ASCO Annual Meeting in Chicago IL
• Session 1: 3-day session in July 2026 at ASCO HQ
• Session 2: 3-day session in October 2026 at ASCO HQ
• Session 3: 3-day session in March 2027 at ASCO HQ
• Graduation: Virtual Session, July 2027

Eligibility Criteria

For the 2026-27 Cohort, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Be an ASCO member
  • Non-members must submit a membership application before initiating an LDP: Education Scholars application. Applicants listed as non-members during the review stage will not be considered for the program.
• Be a physician (MD, DO, or international equivalent) 
• Completed final subspecialty training before the start of the program

Compliance with Applicable Legal Requirements (Applies to Non-U.S. Institutions and Entities)

The ASCO Leadership Development Program: Education Scholars is subject to applicable financial and legal requirements, including but not limited to United States laws addressing foreign corrupt practices and economic and trade sanctions and embargoes (including but not limited to those administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control of the U.S. Department of the Treasury). Notwithstanding any other provision in this Request for Applications, any acceptance to the program is contingent on ASCO’s ability to transfer funds [TS2]or provide reimbursement to the sponsoring institution and/or individual applicant(s) in compliance with all applicable legal requirements. ASCO will not accept applications from, and/or permit program participation by, certain foreign sponsoring institutions or individuals if ASCO is prohibited from doing so under U.S. sanctions laws, or if ASCO would be required to obtain a license from the Office of Foreign Assets Control or Department of Commerce for such program participation. If it is impossible or inadvisable for ASCO, in its sole and absolute discretion, to transfer funds or provide reimbursement to the sponsoring institution and/or individual(s) pursuant to applicable legal requirements, that individual will not be permitted to participate in the program. If, after acceptance in the program or payment or coverage of the first expense, it becomes impossible or inadvisable for ASCO, in its sole and absolute discretion, to transfer funds to the sponsoring institution and/or individual(s) pursuant to applicable legal requirements, then ASCO shall have no obligation to pay additional expenses or permit continued participation in the program. It is the responsibility of the sponsoring institution and the applicant to provide ASCO with the information or lawful means that permit ASCO to transfer the funds in compliance with all legal requirements.

Among the resources available to evaluate compliance with requirements administered by the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) are:

OFAC Homepage: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Pages/default.aspxOFAC Sanctions Programs and Country Information: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/Programs/Pages/Programs.aspxOFAC Specially Designated Nationals And Blocked Persons List (SDN) Human Readable Lists: http://www.treasury.gov/resource-center/sanctions/SDN-List/Pages/default.aspx

Notification Process

Applicants to the 2026-27 cycle can expect to be notified in April 2026. Status updates will not be shared prior to final selection.

All application communications will be sent to the primary email address on your ASCO profile. Please confirm that this email address is current and correct prior to initiating your application.