The QuickStart Program

QuickStart is a free program that helps community groups and researchers work together on new ideas to improve breast cancer prevention, care, and support.

Over three months, teams learn how to build strong partnerships, shape a research project, and practice writing a proposal. Along the way, participants get guidance from experts — including people who fund breast cancer research.

By the end of the program, each team will have a draft proposal and feedback from a review committee, giving them a head start when applying for research funding.

The QuickStart program is offered by the California Breast Cancer Research Program, the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), and the Women of Color Breast Cancer Survivors' Support Project .

QUICKSTART 2026: join us

The next QuickStart program runs from April 2026 to January 2027. It includes:

• Online and in-person workshops
• Guidance calls with experts
• Support for drafting a proposal
• A practice review with feedback

We welcome both new and experienced teams.

• Individuals: Apply by January 2026 if you’d like help finding a partner.
• Teams: Apply by March 2026 with your community–academic partnership already in place.

At any point, you can send questions to us at QuickStartTP@gmail.com.

What is the cost?

QuickStart is offered at no cost. It covers:

• Tuition and materials
• Meals and lodging for out-of-town participants (if sessions are in person)
• Travel within California

Priority is given to applicants based in California, but others may be considered if space allows.

How to Apply

• Download the Call for Applications
• Download the Application Form (individuals or teams)

Questions? Email us at QuickStartTP@gmail.com.

Learn More

We’ll hold several informational webinars in late 2025 and early 2026. These sessions explain the program, walk through the application process, and give you a chance to ask questions.

• Watch the February 2025 webinar recording
• Register for an upcoming webinar

You can also watch the video below to learn more about QuickStart.

What You’ll Gain from QuickStart

By the end of the program, teams will have:

• Hands-on experience working with a research partner
• A written partnership agreement to strengthen future proposals
• A draft research proposal ready for feedback
• Experience seeing how experts review proposals

This preparation gives teams a strong foundation to apply for funding from CBCRP’s Community Research Collaborations (CRC) program and other sources.

Benefits of Participating:

• For academics: stronger proposals, better community connections, and greater potential for your work to influence real-world policies and practices.
• For community members: new skills, organizational capacity, credibility, and data to help advocate for change.
• For everyone: a deeper understanding of how breast cancer is connected to environmental exposures and health disparities.

Who Can Apply?

We’re looking for teams that are:

• Interested in breast cancer research (including disparities, environmental causes, or prevention)
• Able to attend all in-person and online sessions
• Comfortable using a computer throughout the program
• Willing to draft and share research ideas, plans, and proposals with the QuickStart team and fellow participants
• Committed to preparing a draft grant proposal and observing the mock review process

Time Commitment

• In-person workshops: Two multi-day sessions in April and June 2026 (~46–50 hours total)
• Online learning: Weekly assignments and webinars (~10 hours plus written work)
• Technical support: Up to four one-on-one calls with experts (~4 hours)

Program Schedule

Questions? Email QuickStartTP@gmail.com.