This summer, students will have a chance to spend their vacations giving new meaning to the term "road trip."

Twenty-five college students and recent graduates will be selected to participate in the Illini 4000, a 4,000 mile cross-country bike trip to raise money for cancer research.

The Illini 4000 -- a trek from New York City to San Diego -- is scheduled to take place from May 25 to Aug. 2. Founded by Anish Thakkar, a student at the University of Illinois, the intense fundraiser will raise money for the American Cancer Society and Camp Kesem, a student-run camp for kids who have or have had a parent with cancer.

The application process is open until Feb. 5 and any college student or recent graduate is invited to apply. Interested individuals can visit the Illini 4000's Web site, www.illini4000.org, for more information on how to apply.

"As long as they can ride a bicycle and are in good general fitness, that's a fine start. And as long as they are willing to train for the three months prior," Thakkar said.

He said that the organization has already created a training plan for the riders. Thakkar said fitness level and any personal connections to the disease will be taken into consideration while reviewing applications but the process will not be based solely on this.

The Illini 4000 is funded by corporate sponsors and individual donations. Individual riders must also raise $2,000 apiece, Thakkar said.

Thakkar also stressed the importance of cancer research. "It's pretty much guaranteed that sometime in your life you will somehow be affected by cancer," he said.