Hutch Teacher Fellowship

1. Before you apply, we recommend that you check out our Hutch Teacher Fellowship Blog to read about the experiences of our Fellows. This will help you understand what the research experience is like and the scope of the curriculum project, as well as familiarize yourself with some of our prior host labs.
2. Before you apply, we also recommend that you review the application PDF which has a summary of the application questions. Please note that the PDF is a preview to be used for reference only. Please DO NOT fill out the preview and submit it in place of the online application.
3. Complete the online application (above). As part of the application, you will need to upload your resume and provide contact information for a person who will provide a recommendation on your behalf. After submitting the application, an automatic email will be sent to your listed principal/school representative with a link to a Principal Commitment of Support form. Please communicate with your recommender to advise them that the recommendation form is only sent to them after you submit your application. The priority deadline for the recommendation form is March 31, 2026 11:59 pm PST. 
4. To be considered for the program, you must complete the online application (including uploading your resume) and have the Principal Commitment of Support form completed by the person you identified. Both the application and the Principal Commitment form must be submitted by the deadlines published above.
5. If you encounter questions or problems with the application, contact us at sep@fredhutch.org. 

Hutch Teacher Fellowship applicants must be:

• A middle or high school science or STEM teacher
• Currently employed and teaching science or STEM courses
• Available for the entire duration of the program
• Interested in learning more about cancer research and related careers
• Willing to collaborate to develop cancer-related curriculum in conjunction with Fred Hutch scientists/education staff
• Committed to piloting lessons with students and developing lesson revisions

We especially encourage applications from:

• Past SEP participants
• Washington state teachers

In addition, please note that a social security number (SSN) or tax identification number (TIN) is required on intake forms. The program is designed for local teachers and therefore travel and housing accommodations are not provided for non-local teachers.

The program manager and lab mentors will have the primary responsibility for selecting a teacher to work with. We will review initial applications and make recommendations to the mentors.

The Hutch Teacher Fellowship requires a commitment of 1 or 2 summers, 7-8 weeks (40 hrs/week) per summer, plus school year follow-up. HTF teachers will negotiate the exact times and dates of their fellowship with their mentor and the program manager. The Summer 2026 program will run from June 29 - August 21, 2026. The program is designed so that participants commit 8 weeks, 40 hrs/week during the summer to the program and commit to two consecutive summers of involvement, although flexiblity is possible depending on an applicant's needs. The total expectation is the equivalent of 12 weeks/year, inclusive of time spent working on curriculum and piloting lessons in classrooms during the school year. Pilot lessons are created by participants, but teachers may also pilot existing SEP curriculum and provide feedback to curriculum designers. 

Understanding that flexibility may make this program more accessible, teachers are also able to apply if they can only commit to 7 weeks during the summer and/or if they are only able to commit to one summer. In the case of reduced participation, participant payments will be pro-rated accordingly.

Dates for the 2026 Hutch Teacher Fellowship program:

• HTF Virtual Orientation: TBD, May 2026 on Zoom
• Teacher/Mentor Dinner: TBD, June 2026 at Fred Hutch
• Summer 2026 Program: June 29 - August 21, 2026
• SEP Fall Kick-off: TBD, September 2026, 9:00 am - 12:00 pm+ at Fred Hutch
• HTF Quarterly Check-in Virtual Meetings: TBD, 1 hour in November, February, and May on Zoom

First year Fellows are expected to:

• Work on a cancer-focused research project with their mentor
• Write an article about their lab experience to be published on the Hutch Teacher Fellowship Blog
• Develop cancer-focused curriculum materials during the summer
• Pilot test their cancer-focused curriculum materials with their students during the school year
• Attend weekly check-in meetings in the summer and quarterly check-in meetings during the school year

Second year Fellows are expected to:

• Work on a cancer-focused research project with their mentor
• Develop and present a research poster and talk to share with SEP teachers at a fall meeting
• Pilot draft curriculum materials with their students during the school year
• Revise and publish curriculum materials on the SEP website
• Attend weekly check-in meetings in the summer and quarterly check-in meetings during the school year

The total funds available for the two-year fellowship is approximately $20,000. To offset lost work opportunities, teachers receive an $8,000 award after completing each 8-week summer research session of the program. An additional $2,000 is available at the end of each school year, based on completion of school year activities. In addition, the program also supports public transportation and/or parking costs specifically related to participation in program activities on the Fred Hutch campus each summer by providing an ORCA transit card and/or parking pass in a Fred Hutch parking garage, as available (please inquire for more details on public transportation and parking costs). Unfortunately, we are not able to cover the costs of meals, lodging, or mileage. In the case of reduced participation, participant awards will be pro-rated accordingly.