ISCT Clinical Fellows Application Program

Format & Capacity
2-Day Immersive Program
Strictly limited to 20 Scholars to ensure a high faculty-to-scholar ratio.
Dates
October 26–27, 2026
Application Deadline: June 26, 2026

ISCT Clinical Applications Program for Fellows

The Inaugural ISCT Clinical Applications Program for Fellows is a selective, ISCT-funded, in-person scholarship program. Delivered as an intensive two-day immersion, it equips clinical fellows with practical, clinic-facing skills to help advance cell and gene therapies (CGT) from bench to bedside.

Led by world-class faculty from top-tier institutions, the program focuses on the highest-impact elements of clinical translation, including the pathway to first-in-human trials, ethical and regulatory considerations, trial design and site readiness, apheresis and infusion logistics, and management of complex toxicities. Scholars will also build a practical understanding of the clinical and manufacturing interface to partner effectively across CMC, operations, and external stakeholders.

Designed for US and Canadian clinical fellows focused on advanced CGT clinical applications (e.g., hematology/oncology, transplantation, and immune-mediated diseases), this is a dedicated, peer-level environment built by leading CGT clinicians and scientists.

Format & Capacity
2-Day Immersive Program
Strictly limited to 20 Scholars to ensure a high faculty-to-scholar ratio.
Dates
October 26–27, 2026
Application Deadline: June 26, 2026
Course Image

Designed for Clinical Fellows

A fellows-only, peer-level environment built specifically for clinical fellows working in advanced CGT applications.

Intensive Two-Day Immersion

A concentrated two-day program focused on the highest-impact elements of translating CGT into real clinical practice. Practical and built for busy fellows.

From Discovery to Delivery

Practical, end-to-end clinical translation and operations, including trial entry points, workflow and logistics, patient safety, and toxicity management, grounded in how CGT is actually delivered.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of this program, scholars will be able to:

  •  Be an active clinical fellow at the time of application.
  •  Be enrolled in a clinical fellowship program in the United States or Canada with training focused on advanced clinical applications of cell and gene therapy (CGT) in hematology/oncology, transplantation, and immune-mediated diseases, including rheumatology.
  •  Maintain an active ISCT membership with a two-year term in effect at the time of application. Prior ISCT membership is not required.
  •  Provide a written endorsement from the applicant’s Program Director.

Draft agenda (subject to change). Sessions are designed as an intensive two-day immersion and will prioritize the most actionable clinical and operational learnings.

Day 1: Clinical Translation, Trial Design & Operations

  • Translational Pathways: Navigating the journey from discovery to first-in-human (FIH) CGT trials across hematology, oncology, and autoimmune diseases (including lupus).
  • Clinical Trial Readiness: Understanding clinical trial entry points and the necessary site infrastructure for executing successful CGT studies.
  • Ethical & Regulatory Frameworks: A dedicated exploration of the unique ethical dilemmas, patient consent complexities, and high-level regulatory considerations inherent in cell and gene therapy research.
  • Operationalizing CGT Programs: Practical guidelines for establishing and running CGT programs at clinical centers.
  • Apheresis, Collection & Infusion Masterclass: A comprehensive deep dive into apheresis, TIL, infusion logistics, and the specific clinical parameters required for successful collection and delivery.
  • CMC for Clinicians: Foundational knowledge on Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls (CMC) guidelines, process parameters, and raw material considerations every clinician needs to know.

Day 2: The Clinical-Manufacturing Interface, Safety & Leadership

  • The Clinical-Manufacturing Interface: Understanding how manufacturing processes, technology variations, and logistics directly impact product success and patient safety.
  • Toxicity & Outcomes: Evaluating toxicity profiles, long-term outcomes, and risk-benefit trade-offs across various CGT strategies.
  • Strategic Industry Partnerships: Fostering robust collaboration across clinical, translational, regulatory, and industry partners—focusing on educational, collaborative partnerships beyond a consumer-supplier mindset.
  • Career Development: Identifying career pathways and leadership opportunities within the global CGT ecosystem.
  • Site Visit: The program concludes with an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour of the UPenn manufacturing facility.

Designed For

US and Canadian clinical fellows focused on advanced clinical applications of cell and gene therapy (CGT), such as hematology/oncology, transplantation, and immune-mediated diseases. A dedicated, peer-level environment designed by leading CGT clinicians and scientists, for clinical fellows.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for the program, applicants must:

  1. Be an active clinical fellow at the time of application.
  2. Be enrolled in a clinical fellowship program in the United States or Canada with training focused on advanced clinical applications of cell and gene therapy (CGT) in hematology/oncology, transplantation, and immune-mediated diseases, including rheumatology.
  3. Maintain an active ISCT membership with a two-year term in effect at the time of application. Prior ISCT membership is not required.
  4. Provide a written endorsement from the applicant’s Program Director.

Tuition & Funding

Not applicable. This is a fully funded scholarship program.

If you have questions regarding the application process, please email workforcedevelopment@isctglobal.org.

Upon Completion, You Will Receive
  • Certificate of Course Completion from ISCT

WORDS from OUR Leadership

Headshot of Queenie Jang

Queenie Jang

Chief Executive Officer
ISCT

“We aim to deliver meaningful, career-defining value to fellows on track to become leaders in the field, while also strengthening connections across the clinical CGT community through ISCT’s established global network.”

Headshot of Miguel Forte

Miguel Forte

MD, PhD

President
ISCT

“As a growing number of cell and gene therapies reach regulatory approval and move into routine clinical use, now is the critical moment to invest in clinicians who can lead their safe, effective, and equitable implementation for the benefit of patients.”

Headshot of Dr. Alice Bertaina

Dr. Alice Bertaina

MD, PhD

Elected Member MD
ISCT Board of Directors

“By starting with fellows in specialties leveraging clinical cell and gene therapy methods, we are equipping future clinical leaders who can already make use of proven CGTs. We aim not only to prepare them to lead further use of these therapies in clinical practice, but also to be the first of a dedicated, global CGT-ready clinical community.”

Headshot of Dr. Jaap Jan Boelens

Dr. Jaap Jan Boelens

MD, PhD

ISCT Regional VP, North America

“We are bringing well-established CGT clinical practice to a specialized cohort of fellows. Future iterations will expand this model to additional clinical specialties, with each cohort joining a growing, global network of clinicians equipped to harness the full potential of cell and gene therapies for their patients.”

Planning Committee

Co-Chairs

Dr. Alice Bertaina
Dr. Alice Bertaina, MD PhD
Stanford University
Dr. Jaap Jan Boelens
Dr. Jaap Jan Boelens, MD PhD
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center

Planning Faculty

Bruce Levine
Bruce Levine, PhD
University of Pennsylvania
Dr. Megan Melody
Dr. Megan Melody, MD MS
Tampa General Hospital Cancer Institute
Dr. Sarah Nikiforow
Dr. Sarah Nikiforow, MD PhD
Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Dr. Matthew Porteus
Dr. Matthew Porteus, MD PhD
Stanford University

Interested in Supporting Training & Education in Cell and Gene Therapy?

Become a sponsor of the ISCT Clinical Applications Program for Fellows and help provide full-tuition scholarships for a highly selective cohort of clinical fellows advancing cell and gene therapy (CGT) from bench to bedside. The program is strictly limited to 20 Scholars to ensure a high faculty-to-scholar ratio.

Why Sponsor the Clinical Applications Program for Fellows?

Your support helps strengthen the clinical pipeline by enabling fellows to build practical, clinic-facing skills in clinical translation, trial readiness, and the clinical–manufacturing interface.

  • Showcase your organization as a partner and resource in clinical CGT
  • Build relationships with current and future clinical leaders in CGT
  • Increase visibility with a highly relevant audience
  • Demonstrate corporate social responsibility by supporting clinicians in a critical, fast-moving field

ISCT maintains full independence over program content, faculty, and scholar selection.

Sponsorship Prospectus
Coming Soon
Express Early Interest Contact Simone Strickland