2020 V Clinical Scholar Award

Note: FHCRC are coordinating this limited submission and ask that UW applicants submit pre-proposals to research@uw.edu by 2/20/20. The UW review committee will then review, rank, and send on to FHCRC.

LIMITED APPLICANT AWARD FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

THE V FOUNDATION FOR CANCER RESEARCH 2020 V CLINICAL SCHOLAR AWARD

Number of applications Fred Hutch/UW Cancer Consortium may submit: one nominee

Synopsis:

To accelerate cancer treatment and cures, the V Foundation proposes to develop the careers of clinicians who will become leaders in developing programs of clinical trials that are sequential and based on hypothesis–driven research. The competitive candidate will have a thorough knowledge of clinical trials and cancer biology as well as the ability to utilize new research discoveries for clinical intervention, the ability to develop a long-term plan to cure different forms of cancer, communicate with government agencies, and collaborate with the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry to facilitate progress in clinical care. Clinical Scholars will be expected to lead a program of hypothesis-driven clinical trials, initiating and completing multiple projects mentored by a clinical and laboratory mentors who have a track record for conducting hypothesis-driven research with a strong translational component, often in collaboration with investigators from other disciplines. Each awardee will be expected to conduct the initial clinical trials in their designed program during the two years of the award. Trials will be based on novel pre-clinical data. Each hypothesis-driven clinical trial will include laboratory correlates that will inform the design of subsequent trials. Candidates will become familiar with the methodology, potential and limitations of laboratory correlates. Note: This program is distinct from the pre-existing V Scholar program which is for early investigators of all types (PhD, DVM and/or MD), many of which are not engaged in clinical research.

Eligibility: 

• Only NCI-Designated Comprehensive Cancer Centers receiving this RFA are eligible to nominate an applicant. Centers must be able to demonstrate that they have the capacity to develop a training program/mentorship for these clinical scholars.
• Within an institution, applicants must be clinicians (at minimum, Assistant Professor for at least three years) and have had experience in leading clinical trials, but have not yet achieved the level of Full Professor.
• Applicants must be board-certified (if applicable to their discipline; certification received within previous 7 years) or board-eligible in (for example, but not limited to) surgical oncology, gynecologic oncology, medical oncology, radiation oncology, pediatric oncology, or internal medicine. Other oncology disciplines that are not listed may also be included and in some cases may not require board certification, depending on discipline.
• The Department Chair and Division Head must support the applicant’s plans for career development and commit to long-term support of the applicant.

Funding:

• $200,000 total paid in two annual installments of $100,000/year.
• A progress report and financial expenditure report are due annually.
• This grant has a zero indirect cost policy.
• This grant will allow flexibility in how the PI can use these funds (e.g., salary, protected time, program costs and some correlates) but is insufficient to fund the major costs of a clinical trial.

Additional Information:

• The V Foundation for Cancer Research webpage.
• Questions from interested individuals may be directed to fundinginfo@fredhutch.org.

Application Instructions

Eligible investigators must submit the following pre-proposal materials as a single PDF with the following naming convention: Candidate’s Last  Name_2020_VFoundation_ClinicalScholarGrant.pdf:

• 1-2 pages of proposed research
• Current curriculum vitae or biosketch
• Optional cover letter with valuable information for the panel

to research@uw.edu by 5:00 PM Thursday February 20, 2020.