AACR-Lung Cancer Initiative at Johnson & Johnson Stimulating Therapeutic Advances Through Research Training (START) Grant
Dramatic advances made in recent years towards precision medicine initiatives, biomarker and novel target identification, and high-throughput examination of genomic data, have resulted in a trove of valuable data that can inform the development of new therapeutics to combat cancer. However, to effectively harness this wealth of information and advance the discovery and development of new therapies for cancer patients, enhanced collaboration between academia and industry will be needed.
The AACR-Lung Cancer Initiative at Johnson & Johnson Stimulating Therapeutic Advances through Research Training (START) Grants represent an exciting initiative to address the need for promoting and supporting such collaborations. These grants, which will provide support to postdoctoral or clinical research fellows from underrepresented groups (please see eligibility criteria below), combine research experiences in both academic and industry settings, following a research timeline that will be of greatest benefit to the proposed work. The training provided through this grants program will be invaluable to young investigators by providing fellows with a comprehensive research experience that will make them highly desirable to potential employers in either academic research or the pharmaceutical industry.
Each fellowship provides a three-year grant of $225,000 to support the salary and benefits of the fellow while working on a mentored cancer research project. Research proposals may be translational or clinical in nature but must have direct applicability to lung cancer. Proposals focused on mechanisms linking immunogenic cell death pathways to amplification of innate and adaptive immunity, immunobiology of non-small cell lung cancers, and mechanisms of acquired resistance to immunotherapies are highly encouraged. Applicants may spend one year on site at a Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation facility at the discretion of Lung Cancer Initiative at Johnson & Johnson. One of a number of Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation’s locations are possible, at the discretion of Johnson & Johnson. The year at JJEI will be determined on a case-by-case basis and will be at a time agreed upon by the fellow, the academic supervisor, the Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation mentor, and Johnson & Johnson Enterprise Innovation.
Download Program Guidelines and Application Instructions here.
Research proposals may be basic, translational, or clinical in nature, but must have direct applicability to lung cancer. Proposals focused on mechanisms linking immunogenic cell death pathways to amplification of innate and adaptive immunity, immunobiology of non-small cell lung cancers, and mechanisms of acquired resistance to immunotherapies are highly encouraged.
The applicant should also define specific milestones and goals to be accomplished during each year of the fellowship, emphasizing how the experience in industry is expected to complement the time spent in academia.
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 and applicants must belong to one of the following underrepresented groups as per NIH guidelines (Notice of NIH's Interest in Diversity):
- Individuals from racial and ethnic groups that have been shown by the National Science Foundation to be underrepresented in health-related sciences on a national basis
- Individuals with disabilities, who are defined as those with a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities
- Individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds.
At the start of the grant term on November 1, 2022, applicants must:
- Hold a full-time, 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 application 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 Scientific Review and Grants Administration Department (AACR’s SRGA) at [email protected] before submitting their application for information on additional verification materials/signatures that may be required.
- Have begun their most recent postdoctoral fellowship within the past three years (i.e., fellowship must have begun after November 1, 2019)
- Work under the auspices of a mentor at an academic, medical, or research institution in the United States of America..
There are no citizenship requirements. However, by submitting an application for this grant, the applicant who is not a U.S. citizen or a permanent resident assures that the visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project and grant term.
Applicants must be AACR members. Annual dues are not required for early-career researchers interested in Associate membership. 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. Members can renew their membership through myAACR to bring their membership current. You will need your logon (email address) and password to access the member portal. If you require assistance logging in, please contact [email protected]. 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 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Thursday, August 18, 2022 using the ProposalCentral website at https://proposalcentral.com/.
Download Program Guidelines and Application Instructions here.