About NACP

The Partnership for Native American Cancer Prevention (NACP) is a collaboration between Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona’s Cancer Center and Native American Research and Training Center.  Funding comes from the National Cancer Institute.  The mission of the NACP is to alleviate the unequal burden of cancer among Native Americans of the Southwest through research, training, and community outreach programs in collaboration with the communities they serve.

Background

NACP is a Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center Partnership between Northern Arizona University and the University of Arizona’s Cancer Center, and Native American Research and Training Center; all programs and projects are jointly developed and implemented at the two institutions.  Programs are designed to facilitate the entry of Native Americans into biomedical research and healthcare professions while engaging communities in research and training relevant to their needs.  Research projects include laboratory, field-based, and community-based participatory research.  All projects involving communities originate in those communities and are developed and implemented in partnership with NACP students and faculty.  The home page for NACP can be found here.

NACP Summer research internships for University of Arizona undergraduate students are offered in conjunction with the Undergraduate Biology Research Program (UBRP).  Participants work 35 hours per week for 12 weeks in the summer.  For Summer 2024, the program dates will be May 13 – August 25.

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Picture of 4 hands, a spiral, and pottery inspired symbols.

Benefits of participating in NACP

  • Learn more about health disparities among Native Peoples
  • Develop critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • Explore career options
  • Learn to work in a team and to make presentations
  • Become part of a supportive peer network
  • Make contacts that are useful in progressing through school and into a career

Eligibility

  • UArizona undergraduate students who are American Indian or Alaska Natives
  • American citizens or permanent residents of the US
  • Interested in exploring a career related to reducing cancer health disparities among Native populations

Application Process

Download a NACP Application Worksheet and follow the directions to submit your final application online via Qualtrics.  Your final online application is due by 5:00 p.m. Arizona Time on March 1, 2024.  Late or incomplete applications will not be accepted.

A letter of recommendation from a professor, researcher, supervisor, mentor, advisor, or other professional contact is required for NACP.  Please direct your recommender to e-mail the letter to Jennifer Cubeta, UBRP Director, at cubeta@arizona.edu. Your letter must be received by 5:00 p.m. Arizona Time on March 1, 2024 to be considered.

Finalists for the NACP positions will be interviewed in early March and selected by March 15.  The program begins with a full-day UBRP orientation on Monday, May 13, 2024.  NACP participants may also attend the Annual UBRP Ethics Retreat in Summer 2024.