Call for Applications - CRN Scholars Program

Cancer Research Network
Investigator Development Core

The CRN Scholars Program will begin its second round in the summer of 2009. Applications must be received by March 31, 2009. Instructions for applying are below.

Description of the CRN Scholars Program

The CRN Scholars Program is a 20-month training activity that aims to help junior investigators develop research independence, specifically, being a PI on a successful investigator-initiated grant and/or being first author on a peer reviewed, published article reporting original research.

Primary aims of this Program are:

To help junior investigators achieve two landmarks on the path to being successful, independent investigators: being first author on an original research paper reporting on research led by the investigator and published in a peer reviewed journal and becoming PI on a successful R01 grant or an equivalent. Although a successful R01 may take more than the 20 months participants spend in the Program, Scholars are expected to undertake activities, such as developing a pilot study or writing an R01 proposal, that will ultimately lead to a funded R01.
To develop in participants the attitudes, knowledge and skills needed for successful collaborative research, which are central to success in the CRN and somewhat different from those needed for locally based research.

Secondary aims of the Program are:

To build skills in the use of resources specific to CRN, especially the VDW.
To increase junior investigators' competence in applied research skills (such as identifying important questions, grant writing, addressing peer reviewer critiques, authorship negotiation, manuscript writing, responding to letters from editors, and establishing a balanced career portfolio, etc.) which are generally not taught in classroom instruction during postgraduate studies.
To create a forum for exposing junior investigators to a broad range of expertise and resources in CRN, beyond those present at a single site, and to experts in cancer research outside of CRN.

Participants of the Program develop grant applications and/or manuscripts through one-on-one mentoring by one of the co-directors of the Program and by participating in twice-monthly conference calls with their peers in the Program. They also work with a local research mentor. Additionally, the 20-month Program introduces participants to the people, resources and opportunities in the CRN, promoting research collaboration among CRN sites. The Program "curriculum" is based on principles of adult learning: participants identify their own needs and faculty act as facilitators.

The second round of the CRN Scholars Program will begin during the summer of 2009. The Program can take a maximum of 14 participants. Applications for this round are due March 31, 2009. The Application Form is located below.

To learn more about the program, feel free to contact the Program Coordinator or Co-Directors (see below). The current CRN Scholars are happy to discuss their experiences with interested persons. CRN members can learn more about the program on the private CRN portal.

Eligibility

Applicants for the CRN Scholars Program must

Be a member of a CRN site, except as noted below.
Be eligible to be a PI on an R01.
Have not yet achieved both of two milestones: being a PI on a successful investigator-initiated grant; and being first author on a peer reviewed, published article reporting original research.
Intend research in the broad area of cancer investigation (see CRN Research Themes).

In addition,

Several applicants from a single CRN site may apply.
Applicants from institutions affiliated with the CRN may apply if they are supported by a CRN site investigator and if they intend to conduct a research project involving at least one CRN site.

Selection Criteria

Priority will be given to applicants who:

Meet the eligibility criteria for individuals, as outlined above.
Have strong support by the local CRN site, including providing enough protected time for the applicant to participate in the Program and develop a new research project.

We will aim to admit one applicant from each of the CRN sites. If there is no eligible candidate from one or more CRN sites, we will accept more than one eligible candidate from other CRN sites or an eligible candidate from a non-CRN affiliated institution, for a maximum of 14 participants.

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Completing the Application

Applications are due by March 31, 2009.

Please send an electronic copy of the following:

The application form (in the attached file)
A current CV of the applicant
A current CV of the local mentor
A recent photo of the applicant. (We will be working at a distance and we want to make working together as personal as possible.)
A letter of recommendation from the CRN Site PI, with an indication of the support that will be provided to the applicant.
A letter of support from a senior investigator at the CRN site, who will act as a local mentor during the Program, with a statement of how the mentor and applicant will work together over the duration of the Program.

Send the completed application to:

Ms Jane Colagiovanni (Jane_Colagiovanni@harvardpilgrim.org)
CRN Scholars Program Coordinator
Department of Ambulatory Care and Prevention
133 Brookline Avenue, 6th Floor
Boston, MA 02215

Thank you.

Suzanne W. Fletcher, MD, MSc Robert H. Fletcher, MD, MSc
Directors of the CRN Scholars Program
Suzanne_Fletcher@hms.harvard.edu Robert_Fletcher@hms.harvard.edu

→ Download the CRN Scholars Application Form (RTF)