AACR-Novocure Career Development Award for Cancer Research
The AACR-Novocure Career Development Award for Cancer Research represents a joint effort to promote and support early-career investigators who are conducting innovative research focused on Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields; intermediate frequency, low intensity, alternating electric fields that disrupt cell division in cancer cells) as well as to encourage early-career investigators to enter the TTFields research field. The Inovitro® system (which will provided by Novocure, if needed), must be included in the experimental design. These grants are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of this novel anti-cancer treatment modality and to accelerate the development of new treatment strategies to advance therapeutic options for cancer. The research proposed for funding may be basic or translational in nature; however, studies promoting the transition of in vitro work into in vivo systems, combination therapies involving TTFields, or translational projects bringing treatments involving TTFields into the clinic will be prioritized.
Each award provides $300,000 over three years for expenses related to the research project, which may include salary and benefits of the grant recipient and any collaborators*, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, graduate students and/or research assistants; research/laboratory supplies; equipment; travel; publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project; other research expenses; and indirect costs. (*Note that inter-laboratory collaboration is encouraged, particularly for applicants new to TTFields research.)
Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available for download. Please read all program guidelines and instructions carefully before submitting a Letter of Intent.
Research proposals must incorporate use of the Inovitro® system into the experimental design. For grant recipients who are affiliated with institutions that do not currently hold a Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA) with Novocure for use of its devices, Novocure will provide this system to complete the research. For additional details, please see the MTA and Terms and Conditions. If selected for funding, Novocure will work with the institution to execute an MTA.
Research projects should examine the use of TTFields as a therapeutic modality for cancer. Proposals may include 1) Basic and translational approaches, promoting the transition of TTFields in vitro work into in vivo systems, 2) Studies that link preclinical and clinical data, or 3) Studies with ability to translate into the clinic for the cancer treatment.
Projects focused on one or more of the areas outlined below are strongly encouraged:
- Key cancer-related signaling and cellular pathways
- Metabolic effects of TTFields
- Studies that include Omics data (genomics, transcriptomic, proteomics)
- TTFields immunological aspects and the potential combination with immunotherapy
- Combinational studies with approved agents, preferably to include mechanistic aspects
Applicants must be AACR Active members and 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 December 1, 2023, applicants must:
- Hold a faculty position with the title of assistant professor, instructor, research assistant professor, or the equivalent
- Have completed their most recent doctoral degree within the past 11 years (i.e., degree cannot have been conferred before December 1, 2012)
- Have independent laboratory space as confirmed by their institution (see Applicant Checklist form found within the online application)
- Work at at academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world
There are no citizenship 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 Active members. Nonmembers interested in this grant opportunity must submit a satisfactory application for AACR Active membership by the Letter of Intent deadline. Nonmembers can apply for membership online. 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 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 complete an online Letter of Intent submission by 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, using the ProposalCentral website at https://proposalcentral.com.
Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available in PDF format.