The Stanford Molecular Imaging Scholars (SMIS) program is an integrated, three-year cross-disciplinary postdoctoral training program at Stanford University that brings together 33 faculty mentors from 14 departments in the Schools of Medicine, Engineering, and Humanities and Sciences. Molecular imaging, the non-invasive monitoring of specific molecular and biochemical processes in living organisms, continues to expand its applications in the detection and management of cancer. SMIS faculty mentors provide a diverse training environment spanning biology, physics, mathematics, biocomputation/biomedical informatics, engineering, chemistry, biochemistry, cancer biology, immunology, and medical sciences. The centerpiece of the SMIS program is the opportunity for trainees (PhD or MD with an emphasis on PhD) to conduct innovative molecular imaging research that is co-mentored by faculty in complementary disciplines. SMIS trainees also engage in specialized coursework, seminars, national conferences, clinical rounds, including ethics training and the responsible conduct of research. The three-year program culminates with the preparation and review of a mock NIH grant proposal, in support of trainee transition to an independent career in cancer molecular imaging.