NRG Oncology Health Equity New Investigator Mentor Program for Underrepresented Minority Scholars

January 20 2021

NRG Meeting Program Announcement: January 20, 2021 
Applications Due: March 31, 2021 at email: fielde@nrgoncology.org
Funding to begin: June 2021 for two years

Mentee and Mentor funding for two years ($15,000 and $5,000 per year as a stipend)

Applications for Pilot funding for a project is a separate process with potentially $50,000 for a CCDR, CPC or Health Disparities proposal which is expected to lead to an NRG protocol.

BACKGROUND: Most current treatments for cancer in the U.S. are based on the results of clinical research trials. Virtually all of the significant improvements in survival seen over the last 40 years in breast, gastrointestinal, genitourinary, and gynecologic malignancies were made possible by clinical research, most often sponsored, designed, and carried out by National Cancer Institute (NCI) cooperative cancer groups. The most critical component of the cooperative groups, including NRG Oncology, has always been its early stage investigators. Bright, well-trained and hardworking researchers have provided both the creative spark and driving force behind clinical cancer trials.

However, in recent years, young researchers have faced increasing time and financial pressures that threaten their ability and motivation to participate in clinical research. It has become harder than ever for busy physicians and PhD prepared researchers to devote the time and energy needed to develop the next generation of clinical cancer research. Likewise, more experienced clinician/investigators’ ability to serve as mentors has come under pressure as well, for the same reasons. Further, ethnic minorities have long been under-represented as researchers in the cooperative groups for multiple reasons. The purpose of this program is to intensively train selected early stage investigators in the NRG Oncology system by means of a structured mentorship experience, with particular emphasis given to the recruitment of researchers from underrepresented groups. NRG Oncology recognizes the need to improve diversity and inclusion in oncology research by developing early stage investigators to quickly and efficiently develop innovative studies that will lead to future improvements in cancer care with a focus on health equity. This program will build on the work of the New Investigator Committee by collaborating with their leadership by recruiting applicants and mentors.

ELIGIBILITY: The program will match early stage researchers who wish to develop a successful research career with more experienced NRG Oncology investigators who are capable and willing to serve as mentors.

Eligibility criteria for interested early stage researchers (Mentees) will include:

  • Medical, Surgical, Gynecologic, or Radiation oncologists or PhD prepared researchers who have completed fellowship/postdoc training.Anyone who has not been a PI or Co-PI on a clinical trial/NIH R level grant within the past 10 years will be eligible.
  • Must have previous experience within NRG Oncology, or make a future commitment to do so.
  • Strong desire to develop a research career, with special priority given to those in an underserved community or addressing a health disparity.
  • Must have support from their institution/employer for the program. (protected time, access toresearch resources, etc.)A commitment of at least 10% FTE to this program.
  • Priority will be given to individuals from underrepresented populations as defined by NIH (https://diversity.nih.gov/about-us/population-underrepresented)

Eligibility criteria for interested Senior Mentors:

  • Medical, Surgical, Gynecologic or Radiation oncologists or PhD prepared researchers with at least 5 years of experience with NRG Oncology or another NCI-sponsored cooperative group.
  • Must be willing to make a commitment of at least two years to participate in the mentorship program.
  • Has served as a Principal Investigator/Co-Principal Investigator for a completed NCI-sponsored cooperative group trial or a R level NIH grant
  • Must have support from their institution/employer for the program. (adequate time, access to clinical research resources, etc.)
  • Special emphasis given to investigators with experience working with underserved and ethnic minority populations.

OUTLINE: The Mentorship program will last for a two-year period, with the end result of developing a new research protocol within NRG Oncology. The early stage investigator (mentee) will be asked to produce a concept for an NRG protocol, with priority given to a NCORP concept, and follow this idea through the protocol development process. Representatives of the Health Disparities Committee and the Chair of the applicable disease/NCORP committee will review each application (Cancer Prevention and Control-CPC or Cancer Care Delivery Research- CCDR). The program’s main intent is to develop a confident clinical trials scientist that can compete in the grant writing processes. The mentee will learn through this program the skills needed to produce attractive protocols that will be of great interest within the committees. The goal is to jump start a successful academic career of the mentee’s interest area, and encourage outside research funding as well.

As part of the application, the mentee will provide a preliminary concept idea that would apply to the work of a disease committee/NCORP committee (CCDR/CPC/Health Disparities).

This will be used primarily to help evaluate the applicant's critical thinking process and to help develop a relationship with a mentor from a specific committee. The mentor’s relationship will assist the selected young investigator in eventually developing a trial in that committee, even if it is not the one originally proposed.

It is anticipated that the selected early stage investigator will receive guidance/instruction from the mentor in protocol development, principles of ethical research, data collection and analysis, statistical design, critical decision-making, and other Group procedures. Specific challenges of vulnerable/underserved populations and research will also be covered by the Mentor. Investigators selected for this program will be required to attend educational offerings sponsored by New Investigator Committee and the Health Disparity Committee.

BUDGET:  $40,000 in mentee ($15,000 per year) and mentor ($5,000 per year) support over two years.Separate pilot grant funding of $50,000 is available for protocol development and preliminary data and can be applied for from Health Disparities, Cancer Prevention and Control, or Cancer Care Delivery Research, when a project is well formulated.

The award includes travel to two NRG Oncology Meetings.

Mentee requirements/expectations:

  • Devote minimum of 10% effort to NRG Oncology NCORP protocol development activities under guidance of a NRG Oncology mentor for entire duration of award
  • Attend all semiannual NRG Oncology meetings during duration of award
  • Attend NRG Oncology New Investigator Committee meetings and training forums (if not previously participated) and apply for membership in New Investigator Committee (if not previously a member or received equivalent new investigator clinical trial training)
  • Attend NRG Oncology and NCORP meetings including NRG Health Disparities Committee and CPC/CCDR meetings/workshops as applicable
  • Apply for Clinical Cancer Research Workshops (i.e. ASCO, SWOG, SGO) as applicable
  • Complete Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative (CITI Program) or institutional requirements for biomedical research and Human Subject Protection training. 
  • Enroll in educational opportunities in disease site organizations (SGO, GOG, RTOG, NSABP).Also consider participation in Dissemination and Implementation science courses are offered by NCI
  • Plan for potential independent funding in support of career development/clinical trial/research
  • Submit annual progress report
  • Mentor and Mentee should be meeting by Zoom at least monthly at initiation of scholarship, andevery other month after significant progress has been demonstrated.
  • Present project updates at HDC committee meetings

DEADLINES:

Applications submission: March 31,2021
Awards Announced: June 2021
Award Period: July 1, 2021-June 30, 2023
Instructions for Applicants:

Applications should include:

Applications due March 31, 2021. Send to Erica Field at fielde@nrgoncology.org

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