Project Summary/Abstract Cancer has been a major focus of biomedical research since the war on cancer began with the National Cancer Act of 1971. Despite this focus, nearly 10 million people die of cancer each year, worldwide. To help ensure that the nations’ biomedical, clinical, and behavioral cancer research workforce remains strong, we have developed the Cancer-focused Summer Undergraduate Research (CanSUR) Program, with the goal of recruiting highly motivated undergraduate students from diverse backgrounds to foster their passion for a future career in cancer research and oncology. The CanSUR Program supports 32 undergraduate scholars each year, recruited from national and regional colleges/universities for a 10-week period, to participate in a cancer research experience with members of the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center (Case CCC). Key objectives of the CanSUR Program are to: (1) provide a hands-on, cancer research experience including project development, execution, interpretation, and reporting of research results in a Case CCC member’s laboratory; (2) develop the communication skills necessary to understand and present research in diverse settings; (3) educate participants about cancer research career opportunities; (4) provide scientific enrichment and professional skills development curricula to help prepare Scholars for graduate and/or medical school; (5) evaluate all aspects of the Program. Three major components have been developed to meet these objectives. First, a Week 1 Cancer Immersion Bootcamp has been developed that includes interactive lectures/discussions, HoloLens virtual reality education modules, social outings to build community, discussions of cancer career paths, campus and Case CCC core facility tours, and research ethics and lab safety training. Second, Scholars will engage in an individual mentored research project. Finally, a Career and Scientific Enrichment Curriculum has been developed to help Scholars learn about hot topics in cancer research, build communication skills, develop professional habits, and prepare for the next step in their cancer-focused career path. Given the importance of our objectives, we have been pledged substantial institutional support and have 70 Case CCC members and institutional leaders who focus on cancer education prepared to continue recruiting and training outstanding undergraduates in this summer program. As such, we are well-positioned to convert highly-motivated undergraduates into the nation’s next cancer research workforce.