Brief Description
The National Cancer Institute (NCI) is seeking input on potential approaches and innovations that might be implemented to support early career, mentored cancer researchers and trainees. Review of this entire Request for Information (RFI) is encouraged to ensure a comprehensive response and to have a full understanding of how responses will be used.
The NCI is interested in soliciting comments and opinions that respond to the following questions about how we support early career, mentored cancer researchers:
- Considering the current funding mechanisms offered by NCI (listed above and shown here: https://www.cancer.gov/grants-training/grants-funding/funding-opportunities/nci-funding-opportunities-for-cancer-training) what improvements could be made? Do they provide sufficient and the right kind of support?
- Considerations might include eligibility criteria, duration of the award, components of the award, and whether the award provides other types of support beyond funding, e.g., a cohort or community, career development activities, professional advancement or technical assistance.
- Please consider responding with reference to a specific award mechanism(s) / activity codes (https://grants.nih.gov/grants/glossary.htm#ActivityCode).
- What opportunities exist for developing new award mechanisms that would meet the needs of early career, mentored cancer researchers?
- Such opportunities could include a mechanism for disciplines in the cancer research workforce where the career structure is not a good fit for current offerings.
- Other opportunities could include mechanisms that address the career paths of those who do not pursue the role of research team leader (e.g., professor) in academia, for example with transition awards.
- Other opportunities could include programs for early career researchers and trainees conducting research at institutions that receive limited NIH Research Project Grant (RPG) support.
- Please consider making specific recommendations related to career stage and the characteristics of an award you might recommend to NCI.
- What approaches to supporting the development of a diverse cancer research workforce that NCI is currently not pursuing, should be considered?
- For example, should NCI invest in broader efforts to bring supported early career, mentored cancer researchers together in a community for the purposes of networking and career development?
- Should NCI invest in very early intervention programs to increase the pool of diverse trainees?