K12 Clinical Oncology Training Program

Overview

The award is part of the National Cancer Institute's Paul Calabresi Career Development Award for Clinical Oncology, whose purpose is to increase the number of clinicians (MD, DO, PharmD, nurses with PhD, or equivalent) and non-clinician postdoctoral researchers, who will be trained to design and test clinical therapeutic research protocols in clinical trial settings (pilot/Phase I, Phase II, and Phase III clinical trials).

The goal is to establish an exceptional training program for clinician-investigators in the conduct of therapeutic cancer clinical research studies with a focus on Phase I and Phase II clinical trials, and to develop the next generation of researchers and leaders in clinical oncology.

K12 Scholars will have full-time appointments and will receive 75 percent protected time for research, formal mentored training in clinical cancer research, up to $100,000 per year (up to two years) to support salary and benefits, and up to $30,000 per year (up to two years) for (a) research expenses, such as supplies, equipment, and technical personnel; (b) tuition and fees related to required career development courses and activities; (c) travel to scientific meetings or training that the institution determines to be necessary for the individual's career development experience; and (d) statistical services including personnel and computer time.

The program will combine key didactic, research, and career development components to train independent and productive clinical oncology researchers. K12 Scholars will participate in four training components: (1) core competencies, (2) advanced coursework, (3) career development, and (4) mentored research. The mentored research training plan will be supervised by independently funded faculty who will guide the scholar in the development and conduct of his/her research project. Mentors will be selected from a list of NCI-funded mentors participating in the Winship K12 Clinical Oncology Training Program. Over the two-year training period K12 Scholars will be expected to develop an investigator-initiated clinical trial and will write and submit an extramural grant proposal to secure funding to support it.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants will need to meet the following requirements:

• Applicants must either be a full-time faculty member at Emory University (at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level); or for applicants outside Emory, eligible for appointment at Emory (at the Instructor or Assistant Professor level);
• Applicants must be a US citizen or permanent resident and meet all other NIH citizenship eligibility criteria;
• Applicants must be < 6 years beyond completion of their terminal training program;
• Once selected, K12 Scholars must be able to spend a minimum of 75 percent effort conducting research and research career development including coursework during the period of the award;
• K12 Scholars may not receive concomitant salary support from any other federal grant during the first year of K12 funding;
• K12 Scholars agree to attend and participate in all program components for the entirety of the Master of Science in Clinical Research program and to engage in all program required communication, reporting, and evaluation for the remainder of their professional career;
• K12 Scholars agree to remain affiliated with Emory University or Winship Cancer Institute for the duration of the K12 training program.

Program Requirements

All K12 Scholars will be expected to complete coursework and obtain a Master of Science in Clinical Research degree offered by Emory University's Laney Graduate School through the Georgia Clinical and Translational Science Alliance. In addition, all K12 Scholars will be required to:

1. Join one of Winship's four scientific research programs and attend all related meetings and seminars
2. Create, utilize, and revise (as needed) an Individual Development Plan
3. Establish and meet quarterly with their K12 Mentorship Advisory Committee
4. Present an initial research plan and participate in an Intensive Clinical Research Methodology Training Program
5. Complete coursework in Research Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research with IRB rotations and instruction in Scientific and Grant Writing
6. Complete all coursework, events, and annual K12 program evaluations/feedback
7. Complete all short and long-term evaluation metrics

Application Process

The application process for the next cycle is open. Applications are due February 13, 2023.

Potential applicants must indicate an intent to apply to the K12 training program by completing and submitting the K12 Letter of Intent (LOI). Required components of the LOI include:

• Applicant profile form (1 page)
• NIH Biosketch (5-page limit)
• Statement of research interest (up to 500 words)

All applicants will be notified if they are selected or not to submit a full application, with further instructions given at the time of notice.

Key Dates

• Letter of Intent (LOI) due date: Tuesday, January 10, 2023
• Selection for full proposal date: Friday, January 13, 2023
• Full application due date: Monday, February 13, 2023
• Notice of award date: Wednesday, March 1, 2023
• Earliest start date: Saturday, July 1, 2023

If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Dana Ray at (404) 778-5137 or via email.

To support excellence and diversity among pilot grant applicants and awardees, proposals are encouraged from groups identified as nationally underrepresented in the sciences including women, members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, individuals with disabilities, and individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.