Call for Proposals: Clinical Investigator Award in Breast Cancer Research
Supported by an independent educational grant by Susan G. Komen for the Cure
Application Deadline: Noon, Monday, July 9, 2012
Purpose
To promote patient-oriented breast cancer research conducted by mid-level surgical oncologists in clinical and translational science.
Eligibility
Applicants must be surgical oncologists within ten years of completion of training and be full SSO members.
Applicants must commit to at least 25% effort each year for this two-year award.
Terms of the Award
The award will be funded for two years at $100,000 ($50,000 per year) beginning October 1, 2012.
The award is given to the sponsoring institution and may be used for partial support of applicant's salary, research fellows or staff support, tuition, travel (no more than $2,000 per year) and/or supplies. Indirect costs will not be covered by the award.
A brief year-one progress report will be required by October 31, 2013. The SSO reserves the right to withhold the second year of support in the event of unsatisfactory progress.
A final report (not to exceed 4 pages) will be required before October 31, 2014. This should include a project summary and abstracts and publications acknowledged as supported by this award.
A brief 5-minute presentation will be required at the March 25-28, 2015 Annual Cancer Symposium in Houston, Texas.
Application Procedure
The SSO requests a proposal in which the applicant plays a central role in the conduct of a specific clinical breast cancer research project. This might include a leadership role in a clinical trial involving prevention, diagnosis, or therapy; cancer outcomes research; survivorship research; or a translational research project related to a prospective clinical trial. The clinical research focus must be hypothesis-driven and must have a direct patient-oriented focus. Any clinical trial may be investigator-initiated, industry-driven or organized by a cooperative group.
While the applicant need not be the principal investigator of the trial, nor the lead institutional investigator, how participation in the trial will serve to enhance their research experience must be clearly articulated. It is anticipated that applicants will be early to mid-career and are seeking extramural support to further their goals of establishing an independent career in breast cancer research. The potential and track record of the applicant, the training plan and environment, and the scientific merit of the clinical trial will comprise the review criteria.
The application MUST include the following items in order:
A. Cover page. The cover page must include the following information: the title of the proposal, name of applicant, applicant's position, institution and contact information, and the name and contact information for the individual authorized to act for the applicant if the award is made.
B. Biosketch: A three-page biosketch (including other support) in NIH format. "Other support" should list all current grants and awards and include for each: (1) name of the PI; (2) role of the applicant if not the PI; (3) percent effort; (4) dates of entire project period; (5) award amount (direct dollars) for the current award period; and (6) scientific overlap with proposed project. Applications that do not include all six items for each award may not be considered.
C. Supporting Letters. A letter from the applicant's institution is required and should include a review of the proposal and summary of the applicant's qualifications. It should also describe the facilities and support available to complete the project. The letter should be from the institution's cancer center director, chair of surgery or dean of research. Other supporting letters (no more than three) may be included.
D. Research Proposal: This should include the following items: (limited to eight pages, single spaced, 12 pt font, one inch margin).
1. Abstract: The abstract should describe the clinical trial, the hypothesis being tested, the role of the applicant and how this will serve as a valuable training experience.
2. Research plan: This section should focus on the hypothesis being tested, the exact role of the applicant, and a description of interaction with mentors and colleagues who may also submit supporting letters.
3. Environment: This should include a brief description of the resources required for the proposed work at the applicant's institution, with a detailed reference to resources specific to the proposed project.
4. Literature cited. (not included in eight page proposal limit).
E. Budget: In no more than one (1) page, briefly describe proposed budget utilization and justification. This should include any required indirect costs that would reduce the actual amount of direct research dollars available to the applicant. The reviewers will take this into account and may not recommend awards when the indirect cost rate is substantial.
F. Appendix. Clinical protocol, informed consent form, IRB approval notice. Not to exceed five (5) pages in length. If appendix exceeds the 5 page limit, the research proposal WILL NOT be reviewed.
The complete application must be assembled as a single pdf file and sent electronically to info@surgonc.org by noon (central time) July 9, 2012.
A hard copy of the application also must be submitted to the SSO Research Committee, 85 W. Algonquin Road, Suite 550, Arlington Heights, IL 60005, with a postmark of July 9, 2012.
Applications received after this date, or those that do not conform to the instructions will not be considered. Award recipients will be informed of the outcome in September 2012 and applicants will be informed vie email shortly thereafter.
PLEASE NOTE: Funding of grants will be determined by scientific peer review process and consistent with any restrictions required by the grantor.
Questions regarding the Clinical Investigator Award in Breast Cancer Research may be directed to the SSO Education Program Manager, email info@surgonc.org or phone 847-427-1400, M-F, 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (CT)
