Frequently Asked Questions

Scientific credibility is foundational to how we operate. We do not generate or direct the science ourselves, we support work led by experienced researchers and institutions. Projects are selected based on scientific rigor, translational potential, and the urgency of unmet need. We collaborate with established organizations that have built strong scientific advisory boards and research evaluation processes, allowing us to identify high-quality research with greater confidence.

Rare pediatric cancers like Ewing sarcoma receive less than 1% of already-tiny pediatric cancer funding. The metastatic survival rate for Ewing sarcoma is under 20% and has been unchanged for decades. Commercial pharma bypasses these diseases because ~600 cases per year doesn’t generate ROI, it’s a market failure that only philanthropy can fix. We focus where the gap is most acute and where progress has been slowest.

Those are large, established organizations doing critical work, and we deeply respect them. We complement rather than compete with them by focusing on a specific gap they’re not structured to address: helping research move faster through embedded engineering and AI expertise. Most foundations fund research; we do too, but our core difference is integrating technical talent directly into research teams in rare childhood cancers like Ewing sarcoma, where progress has been slow and support is limited.

Your funding is directed toward both advancing research and accelerating how it progresses. A portion supports targeted research grants in underfunded childhood cancers. The rest enables us to embed technical expertise, engineering and AI, directly into research teams to reduce bottlenecks and help work move faster. We also invest in building reusable tools and systems so impact extends beyond individual projects. Each dollar supports research and makes that research more efficient.

We are building a structured model designed for long-term scalability. Our technical work is not informal volunteering, it is organized through defined roles, time-bound commitments, and project-based delivery, which ensures accountability and continuity. As we grow, we plan to transition critical functions into funded roles where needed. We also build reusable tools and systems so each project creates value beyond a single engagement. The combination of structure, talent, and reusable infrastructure allows the model to scale sustainably.

5 hours per week for 6 months. The program is cohort-based with defined start and end dates, not rolling admission.

No. This is a volunteer fellowship. The value is in the credential, co-authorship on publications, real-world portfolio, letters of recommendation, research network, and meaningful impact.

2+ years of technical experience in software engineering, data science, ML, or related fields. Bioinformatics experience is valuable but not required, we’ll teach you the domain.

The foundation matches fellows to projects based on skills, experience, and project needs. We consider your interests when making assignments.

Yes. Fellows making substantive contributions receive co-authorship on resulting research papers, following ICMJE guidelines.

Give 2 weeks notice. Teams are designed with redundancy (4–5 people) so they can absorb departures.

A cohort-wide event where all teams present their results to researchers, foundation leadership, and guests. It’s a celebration of impact and excellent for your portfolio.