Career Development Award in Ovarian Cancer

The Conquer Cancer Career Development Award in Ovarian Cancer is a private funding opportunity offered by Conquer Cancer, the ASCO Foundation, an organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and improving patient outcomes globally. Since its founding in 1984, the foundation has awarded substantial funding to support oncology research and foster the development of clinical investigators. This specific award is designed to support early-career physician-scientists as they transition into independent clinical researchers with a focus on ovarian cancer. The primary purpose of this award is to provide mentored research funding to clinical investigators who have recently begun their first faculty appointment and are working to establish an independent research program. The program emphasizes patient-oriented clinical research, including clinical trials, translational studies involving human subjects, and other research that directly impacts patient care. Projects must demonstrate clear clinical relevance and measurable outcomes, and proposals that are primarily based on laboratory or animal studies are not eligible. The research must also incorporate patient advocacy perspectives, ensuring that studies align with patient needs and experiences. The funding mechanism provides a total of 200000 dollars distributed over three years in equal annual installments. Funds are allocated to support research-related expenses such as personnel, supplies, equipment, and travel, including attendance at the ASCO Annual Meeting. There are specific restrictions on the use of funds, including limits on indirect costs and travel expenses, and a requirement that the majority of funding be directed toward research activities. Matching funds are not required. The award is structured to ensure steady progress, with continuation of funding contingent on satisfactory annual progress and expenditure reporting. Eligibility is limited to physicians holding an MD, DO, or equivalent degree who are within the first four years of a full-time faculty appointment at an academic medical institution. Applicants must have completed postdoctoral research, demonstrate the ability to conduct independent clinical research, and maintain an active medical license. Additional requirements include ASCO membership, a commitment of at least fifty percent effort to research, and the presence of a qualified mentor. Applicants must not have previously served as principal investigators on large-scale grants and must comply with all prior grant obligations from the funder. The application process is comprehensive and must be completed through an online portal. Required components include detailed project information, a research strategy, a biostatistical plan, patient impact documentation, budget justification, timeline, biosketches, and multiple letters of support. Applicants must also secure institutional approval and submit a clinical protocol if applicable. The process requires coordination with mentors, sponsors, and institutional representatives, and all materials must adhere to strict formatting and submission guidelines. Applications are reviewed through a multi-stage peer review process involving scientific experts, biostatisticians, and patient advocates. Evaluation criteria focus on the applicant’s potential for an academic oncology career, the scientific merit and feasibility of the proposed research, the strength of mentorship, and the institutional support available. Applications are scored and ranked, with funding awarded to the highest-scoring proposals. The review process ensures that only meritorious and eligible applications receive funding, and some awards may be matched with donor-specific funding criteria after initial approval. The application cycle opens on July 1, 2026, with a submission deadline of October 8, 2026 based on the program page, while the detailed RFP outlines a later full application deadline in January 2027 for the broader CDA cycle. Awards are expected to begin on July 1, 2027 and run through mid-2030. Notification of award decisions occurs in April 2027. The program operates on a recurring annual cycle, providing ongoing opportunities for eligible early-career investigators to apply. For inquiries, applicants may contact the foundation via email at grants@conquer.org.

Focus on patient oriented clinical impact strong mentorship plan and feasible hypothesis driven design aligned with review criteria