AACR-EMD Serono “I’M IN” Oncodisparity Fellowships in Lung and Urothelial Cancers
The AACR-EMD Serono “I’M IN” Oncodisparity Fellowships in Lung and Urothelial Cancers represent a joint effort to encourage and support postdoctoral or clinical research fellows to conduct cancer disparities research and to establish a successful career path in this field. The proposed research should specifically address disparities in oncology care in the area of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or advanced urothelial carcinoma care and address barriers leading to inequality of cancer care that exist in institutions and within society at large.
The fellowship provides a one-year grant of $65,000 to support the salary and benefits of the fellow while working on mentored cancer disparities research project. A partial amount of funds may be designated for non-personnel expenses, such as research/laboratory supplies, equipment, publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project, and other research expenses.
In addition to research support, EMD Serono will provide opportunities to amplify the grant recipients’ work by highlighting their research on booth panels at conferences, issuing press releases and posting on social media. EMD Serono may also provide the grant recipients with speaking opportunities to highlight their research work and explain how their cancer disparities work can be replicated. The frequency and format of these opportunities will be determined on a case-by-case basis.
Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available for download. Please read all eligibility criteria and instructions carefully before submitting your application
Research projects should specifically address disparities in oncology care in the area of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) or advanced urothelial carcinoma care and address barriers leading to inequality of cancer care that exist in institutions and within society at large. Preference will be given to proposals which seek to implement strategies or interventions to address, mitigate or eliminate one of more of these areas:
- Awareness – raising awareness within the medical and patient communities that racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic disparities in lung and urothelial cancer care exist and their impact.
- Access to care – access to care includes delays in diagnosis leading to higher stages at presentation and prolonged time intervals to treatment. Access also includes addressing community and societal factors which impact access to care and engaging stakeholders in developing culturally appropriate solutions.
- Outcomes – disparities in both access to care and timely cancer care are major drivers for poor outcomes. Identifying points of intervention at the patient/community level, as well as the individual, team and hospital administrative levels, is key to yielding significant improvement in patient outcomes.
Applicants must have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral degree.
At the start of the grant term on July 1, 2025, applicants must:
- Hold a mentored research position with the title of postdoctoral fellow, clinical research fellow, or the equivalent
- If eligibility is based on a future position, the position must be confirmed at the time of submission, and CANNOT be contingent upon receiving this grant.
- If the future position is at a different institution than the applicant’s current institution, the applicant must contact the AACR’s Research and Grants Administration Department (AACR’s RGA) at [email protected] before submitting their application for information on additional verification materials/signatures that may be required.
- Have completed their most recent doctoral degree within the past five years (i.e., degree cannot have been conferred before July 1, 2020; the formal date of receipt of doctoral degree is the date the degree was conferred, as indicated on the diploma and/or transcript)
- Applicants with a medical degree must have completed their most recent doctoral degree or medical residency - whichever date is later - within the past five years.
- Work under the auspices of a mentor at an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world.
There are no citizenship or geographic requirements. However, by submitting an application for this grant, an applicant applying from an institution located in a country in which they are not a citizen or a permanent resident assures that the visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project and grant term at the institution from which they applied.
Applicants must be AACR members in good standing (dues paid for the current year). Annual dues are not required for early-career researchers interested in Associate membership. Please be informed that no dues are required for members located in countries building cancer research capacities (view list of eligible countries here). Nonmembers interested in this grant opportunity must submit a satisfactory application for AACR membership by the application deadline. Nonmembers can apply for membership online. Please review the Membership Categories for the category that best fits your qualifications. Nonmembers must obtain a statement of support from a nominator who is an Active AACR member in good standing (dues paid for the current year). Nonmembers requiring assistance with finding a nominator may email [email protected] and include your geographical location to receive a list of members in your area to contact for nominations. For more information check the membership FAQ. Members can renew their membership through myAACR. You will need your logon (email address) and password to access the member portal. If you require assistance logging in, please submit a help form. Lapsed members must be members in good standing by the application deadline and should contact the Membership Department at [email protected] for assistance.
The AACR requires applicants to submit an online application by 1 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, March 18, 2025, using the ProposalCentral website at https://proposalcentral.com.
Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available for download. Please read all eligibility criteria and instructions carefully before submitting your application.