The PCC wants to ensure our programs best serve the community of scientists carrying out the important work that helps us meet our mission: detecting and deterring the usage of performance enhancing drugs through high quality science.
In 2017, we realized the PCC Fellowship Program [1] could be updated to better suit the needs of contemporary researchers. Spurred and encouraged by feedback from PhD investigators globally and our Scientific Advisory Board, the PCC has made changes to its Fellowship Program in the hopes it will be more accessible AND more appealing to young scientists.
Namely, we’ve removed the requirement for PCC Fellowships to take place over two years in a WADA-Accredited laboratory. While this option (the “Laboratory Track Fellowship”) still exists as a unique opportunity for those seeking a career in anti-doping, we understand that leaving one’s host institution (and oftentimes, home and family) is not always practical, or possible. In this vein, the PCC has added the “Research Track Fellowship”, which allows PCC Fellows to carry out research at the institution of their choice, under the mentor of their choice.*
For those choosing the Research Track, an optional (highly encouraged) two week visit to a WADA-Accredited laboratory is offered to provide additional context for how current and future research may be used in a real world anti-doping setting. The visit would be supported and facilitated by the PCC.
The PCC Fellowship program remains a vehicle to provide young scientists financial support, world class mentorship, and unique laboratory access while they perform anti-doping related research. This prestigious opportunity is offered to eligible PhD applicants world-wide.
Here is a high-level summary of programmatic changes:
[2]
Additional Details
Full program details and instructions can be found via our Fellowship Instructions [3]. However, some main points are detailed here:
Research Track:
- Fellows receive $65,000 USD per year of eligible research (project length is determined at the time the application is submitted). Additionally, a $5,000 USD stipend is provided to be used for necessary equipment and supplies, while another $5,000 USD is provided for travel to relevant anti-doping conferences.
- Fellows may apply individually, with a letter of intent from their mentor (which includes a mentorship plan, training plan and committing to support the research proposal) and a project idea (similar to the Laboratory Track Candidates) OR fellows may apply in conjunction with a mentor applying for a PCC Grant. In the latter case, the mentor must make clear that they are applying alongside a fellow within their PCC grant application.
- The fellowship may take place in an academic setting or industry laboratory of the applicant’s choice (world-wide), so long as it is approved by the PCC. Considerations will include access to equipment, resources, expertise, and good standing of the facilities.
Laboratory Track
- Fellows receive $60,000 USD per year while completing research at a WADA-Accredited laboratory under expert mentorship. The lab will also be paid $15,000 USD overhead in addition to the salary stipend.
- Fellows apply individually, with a letter of intent from the project mentor at the WADA-Accredited lab of choice which includes a mentorship plan, training plan and committing to support the research proposal and indicates support for both the proposed research and mentorship of the candidate during the two-year program.
- The fellowship will take place in an approved WADA-Accredited lab (of the fellow’s choosing) for at least the first three months of the fellowship. After this time, the fellow may remain at the WADA laboratory, or conduct supporting research at his or her home institution.
For both tracks, eligibility and program requirements remain static:
- Candidates must have a PhD in a physical, biological/medical science, or pharmacology discipline such as:
- Biochemistry
- Pharmacology
- Endocrinology
- Statistical modeling
- Protein chemistry
- Analytical chemistry
- Toxicology
- Hematology
- Molecular and cell biology
- Physiology
- Metabolism
- Proteomics
- Mass spectrometry
- Candidates must demonstrate an interest in anti-doping but may have limited experience with research in the field.
- Candidates may be from anywhere in the world.
- Candidates must demonstrate an excellent research and academic background.
- Laboratory Track candidates must contact and confirm the support of one or more of the WADA-Accredited laboratories [4] in formulating their proposal. The candidate should select the WADA-Accredited laboratory at which they desire to conduct their research.
- Research Track candidates must contact and confirm the support of established researchers in formulating their proposal. This may be an existing mentor.
- Candidates should explain the value they will provide to the WADA-Accredited lab and/or anti-doping movement during their experience and if relevant include their approach to collaborating with the lab, if they choose to return to another institution to conduct research during the Laboratory Track program.
*Both institution and mentor must be approved by the PCC Scientific Advisory Board and must provide suitable equipment and expertise to carry out the proposed anti-doping research.