Program Description
The Ad Hoc PhD in Interdisciplinary Cancer Sciences (ICSP), offered by the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, is a research-intensive program that emphasizes unique and innovative learning opportunities.
The program's objective is to equip students with skills in critical thinking, effective communication of complex ideas, and collaborative problem-solving to pursue professional opportunities in academia, industry, and beyond.
Keywords: Cancer, Oncology, Cancer Biology, Cancer Therapeutics and Diagnostics, Cancer Etiology, Prevention and Prognosis, Psychosocial Oncology, Epidemiology, Population Studies, Interdisciplinary.
Unique Program Features
- ICSP is an inter-departmental initiative involving over 65 researchers from 17 different departments within the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences.
- The program was designed from the ground up to foster interdisciplinarity training through a structured approach that integrates coursework, research and cohort building activities.
- ICSP prepares the next generation of cancer researchers to synthesize knowledge across disciplines, identify critical knowledge gaps, and devise innovative solutions through teamwork and collaboration.
- Graduates will become experts in their respective disciplines while also learning how to integrate advances from other fields across the cancer research continuum.
- ICSP offers a comprehensive training environment led by biomedical and clinician scientists who are experts in their respective disciplines. The program spans four pillars:
- Cancer Biology - focusing on molecular mechanisms governing cancer development and therapeutic response.
- Cancer Therapeutics and Diagnostics - focusing on the development and delivery of novel therapies through clinical trials and the engineering of innovative technologies.
- Cancer Etiology, Prevention and Prognosis - focusing on understanding cancer risk and outcomes on a population level using epidemiological and omics-based approaches.
- Psychosocial Oncology - focusing on behavioral and societal issues impacting the health and well-being of individuals dealing with cancer and their caregivers.
University-Level Admission Requirements
- An eligible Bachelor's degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA out of a possible 4.0 GPA; for the Ad Hoc ICSP, the minimum CGPA is 3.5.
- English-language proficiency
Each program has specific admission requirements including required application documents. Please contact the icsp.med [at] mcgill.ca (unit )for more details.
Visit our Educational credentials and grade equivalencies and English language proficiency webpages for additional information.
Program Website
Coming soon. Please contact the icsp.med [at] mcgill.ca (unit) for more information.
Department Contact
Program icsp.med [at] mcgill.ca (email)
Available Intakes
Fall
Application Deadlines
| Intake | Applications Open | Application Deadline - International | Application Deadline - Domestic (Canadian, Permanent Resident of Canada) |
|---|---|---|---|
| FALL | September 15 | December 1, 2025 | February 1, 2026 |
| WINTER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| SUMMER | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Note: Application deadlines are subject to change without notice. Please check the application portal for the most up-to-date information.