About Workshop

An intensive workshop in the essentials of effective clinical trial designs of therapeutic interventions in the treatment of cancer for clinical fellow and junior faculty clinical researchers in all oncology subspecialties, including radiation and surgical oncology and radiology. Affectionately known as the “Vail” Workshop due to its history in Vail, CO, the 2024 Workshop will be in a new location! The 2024 Workshop will be held in sunny La Jolla, California. The new location represents a less travel intensive venue than prior years, while still offering attendees an inviting space that is limited in distractions to promote a productive working environment.

AACR/ASCO Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop

July 28-August 3, 2024
Hilton La Jolla Torrey Pines Resort
La Jolla, California


2024 Workshop Applications 

The 2024 AACR/ASCO Methods in Clinical Cancer Research Workshop applications are now open. The deadline to submit your application is Wednesday, March 27, 2024, 1 p.m. ET.

Workshop Codirectors

Julie M. Vose, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska
Manuel Hidalgo, Weill Cornell Medicine, New York, New York
Wendy B. London, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Boston Children’s Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts

Workshop Overview

The Workshop supports participants through a weeklong educational program that covers clinical trial design, methodology, and implementation through a variety of large and small group formats to discuss the full spectrum of challenges and opportunities in clinical cancer research. The hallmark of the Workshop is the production of an institutional review board (IRB)-ready clinical trial protocol with informed consent documents from each participant.

The Workshop provides:

  • Daily guidance and critiques on the development of a clinical trial protocol and informed consent documentation that participants will submit to their IRB.
  • One-on-one mentoring from an experienced and diverse roster of faculty members actively engaged in clinical trials, including biostatisticians and patient advocacy groups.
  • Advice and guidance on career development, both one-on-one and in small group settings
  • Opportunities to forge strong and diverse networks among other Workshop participants and faculty.

For those protocols using agents from a pharmaceutical company that are not FDA-approved for the disease under study, a letter of commitment from the collaborating company stating that drug will be supplied for the proposed trial or a copy of the correspondence with the company suggesting their likely support of the trial IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED. Priority will be given to applicants that have a clear letter of support that is uploaded with the application (preferably a letter of commitment, but at minimum, a letter of intent).

Questions? For questions about the submission of your application online, contact Asiyah Bhallo at asiyah.bhallo@aacr.org. For all other questions about the Workshop, including eligibility, please contact Dean Post at dean.post@aacr.org.

Thank You to Donors of the 2023 Workshop

Advocate Level Donors

Bristol Myers Squibb

Eagle Pharmaceuticals

Flatiron Health Inc.

Lilly

Merck & Co., Inc.

Novocure

Pfizer Oncology

Seagen Inc.

Society for Surgical Oncology