The National Cancer Institute (NCI) has announced the Research Specialist Award, aimed at bolstering leadership and participation in NCI-funded clinical cancer research. This initiative supports clinician scientists actively engaged in the NCI clinical trials networks, fostering their involvement in the development of national clinical trials, the implementation of NCI trials within their institutions, and national service through participation in scientific review and monitoring committees.
Purpose of the Award
The Research Specialist Award is designed to encourage a stable career path for cancer clinical trial investigators. It provides salary support and autonomy, ensuring that these individuals are not solely dependent on grants held by others for their career continuity. This support enables them to dedicate significant effort to NCI-sponsored clinical trials.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligible applicants must be clinician scientists with a clinical degree (M.D., D.O., D.D.S., D.M.D., O.D., D.C., PharmD., N.D., D.V.M.) and active licensure, practicing in an oncology clinical setting. Individuals with a Ph.D. or other doctoral degree with direct patient contact in clinical disciplines are also eligible. Applicants must have a record of involvement in NCI-funded cancer clinical trial-related activities and be engaged in the conduct of NCI-funded cancer clinical trials research at an academic medical center or a community center that holds an NCORP award.
At the time of application, candidates cannot hold a Principal Investigator role in current R01, P01, or other significant NIH funding. They must have been at their institution for at least two years and hold a full-time position, being more than six years from their initial faculty appointment. A commitment of 2.4 to 4.8 person-months to NCI-funded clinical activities is required during the award period.
Award Details
Application budgets may request salary support commensurate with their level of effort on NCI funded clinical trials (minimum 2.4, maximum 4.8 person-months). Additional support includes up to $2,500 per year for travel to research meetings/conferences and $2,000 per year for the Principal Investigator to attend an annual meeting for Research Specialist Award recipients.
NCI Clinical Trials Networks
NCI-sponsored clinical trials networks include the National Clinical Trials Network (NCTN), the NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP), the Experimental Therapeutics Clinical Trials Network (ETCTN), and the Cancer Prevention Clinical Trials Network (CP-CTNet). The Research Specialist Award supports participation in these vital networks, contributing to cancer treatment, prevention and control, and care delivery clinical trials.
