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Applications for the 2026 STARS Scholar Program open Thursday, January 29, 2026, and close Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 11:59pm MDT.

Apply for the STARS Scholar Program

The IASLC STARS (Supportive Training for Advocates on Research and Science) Program began in 2019 as a collaboration between lung cancer patient research advocates and representatives from lung cancer advocacy organizations. STARS aims to train, develop, and nurture lung cancer patient research advocates (PRAs) for the lung cancer community. 

We invite patient research advocates who have proven accomplishments in lung cancer research advocacy and who would like to attend WCLC 2026 in-person (September 12 - 15, 2026 in Seoul, Republic of Korea) to apply for the 2026 STARS Scholar Program! Applicants must have or have had lung cancer, or be a family member of someone who has or had lung cancer. Click here for a comprehensive overview of the STARS Scholar Program.

Before applying, please continue reading to find information on the application process and explore our Frequently Asked Questions. 

 

How do I apply?
  • You must be an IASLC member. (If you are not yet a member, CLICK HERE for information on how to join. IASLC Membership is complimentary for patients and their family members and caregivers.)
  • Select this link to login to the form via the IASLC Member Portal (opens in new window).
    • If you do not know your Member Portal credentials, click on the "Forgot Your Password" link to reset your credentials. Email membership@iaslc.org if you have any difficulties logging in to the portal. 
  • Once you have successfully logged into the Member Portal, you will be automatically directed to the application form.
  • You do not have to complete the application all at once; you can save your progress and return to the form to complete it at any time prior to the application deadline. Applications that are incomplete as of 11:59 PM Mountain time on March 12, 2026 will not be considered.
  • We recommend reviewing and completing the 'Application Endorsement' section first. Enter the name and email address of an individual who will provide an endorsement for your application. Be sure your chosen endorser has sufficient first-hand knowledge of your advocacy activities to answer the questions they will be asked. A completed endorsement must be received before we will consider your application. 
  • Answer several short questions about your advocacy activities, your interest in science and research, and why you want to participate in STARS.
  • Provide an example of a communication you have written or created about lung cancer within the last year.
  • Participate in an interview on Zoom with members of the STARS Mentor and Admin Teams at a time to be determined between March 1 and April 3.  
    What is the STARS Scholar Application timeline? 
    • Application period: January 29 - March 12 (11:59 PM Mountain Time).   
    • Applications will be reviewed March 16 - May 1.
    • Applicants will be notified of decisions by May 8. 

    In-person attendance at WCLC 2026

      STARS Scholars are expected to attend an event on Friday, Septmber 11, a workshop on Saturday, September 12, and participate throughout the conference (ends midday September 15, 2026). The STARS Program will cover the following travel expenses: 

      • Roundtrip airfare to Seoul, Republic of Korea
      • Up to 6 nights' accomodation in Seoul at one of our contracted hotels. Scholars must arrive in Seoul by midday September 11. 
      • Reimbursement is provided for ground transportation, any meals that are not provided during the conference, and incidental expenses.
      Who should I contact if I have questions?

      Should you have any questions after reading through the FAQs, or require additional assistance, please don't hesitate to email us at STARSadmin@iaslc-stars.org. We're here to help!
      		 

       

      Frequently Asked Questions

      What is STARS?

      • Explore the magic of the IASLC STARS Programs here! 

      What exactly is research advocacy? 

      • We have a dedicated page just for this! Check it out here. 

      How many Scholars can join the 2026 STARS Scholar Program? 

      • A maximum of ten (10) Scholars will be selected from across the globe.  

      What is expected of Scholars in the 2026 STARS Scholar Program?

      • Dive into the details by exploring the 'What Does the STARS Scholar Program Include?' and 'Who Can Apply to the Scholar Program' sections on this page.
      • STARS Scholars are expected to attend:
        • an informal networking event the evening of Friday, September 11 in Seoul 
        • an all-day workshop at WCLC 2026 on Saturday, September 12,
        • and participate in various activities throughout the conference period, September 12 - 15, 2026.
      • Applicants must have reliable Internet access that supports cloud-based video conferencing.
      • We schedule virtual meetings to accommodate all time zones in which participants live. To do this, we usually schedule two meeting times for each virtual event. 

      What if I've never participated in STARS before? 

      • No worries! You don't have to be a past STARS participant to apply for the Scholar Program. 

      Can I apply to the Scholar program again if I've participated before? 

      • Absolutely! Be prepared to share how your previous STARS experiences have contributed to your research advocacy work and how attending again will help you achieve your goals. 
      • Note that anyone who has successfully completed a STARS program is automatically enrolled in the STARS Alumni program, which offers ongoing virtual education and networking opportunities with other STARS alumni, mentors, and key opinion leaders. 

      What is the STARS Scholar interview about? 

      • Interviews will be held for all qualified Scholar applicants via Zoom.
      • The interview is an opportunity for you to meet some of the STARS mentors and staff and ask questions about the program. It’s also an opportunity for us to get to know a bit more about you. 

      Do you have any other opportunities for patient advocates? 

      • Yes! IASLC offers tailored opportunities depending on where you are in your patient advocacy journey.
        • Patient advocates who seek in-person interactions, are relatively new to patient advocacy, and working on a project in the lung cancer community might consider applying for the IASLC Patient Advocate Educational Award.  This award provides travel to attend WCLC 2026 (September 12 - 15, 2026, in Seoul, Republic of Korea) or selected other IASLC meetings. 
        • Patient advocates who are just beginning to explore research advocacy or choose not to travel to WCLC might consider applying for the all-virtual STARS PRA Program.