AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY (ACS) SEED GRANTS FOR JUNIOR FACULTY

SPONSORED BY THE ACS INSTITUTIONAL RESEARCH GRANT (IRG)

DEADLINE: July 15, 2008

OVERVIEW:

This announcement invites junior faculty from all Departments and Schools of The George Washington University to submit application for a one-year, cancer-focused research award supported by the GW Cancer Institute’s American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant.  IRG pilot project grants are intended to support independent, self-directed investigators early in their careers, with novel ideas and promising initiatives in cancer research.

The IRG award is intended to assist independent junior researchers in conducting initial pilot explorations, which may lead to publications and development of strategic preliminary data in support of a successful application for support from a national funding agency.  Submission of a full application for extramural funding is an expected outcome of the award.  

A recent change in ACS-IRG policy from previous years allows a second year of funding for previous IRG awardees and will be considered on competitive renewal requiring a full re-application during the period of new submission acceptance.  Progress toward the research objectives outlined in the previous year’s research proposal will serve as the central component used for evaluation and successful competition for a second and final year.

Examples of Applications with a cancer emphasis from diverse fields are encouraged: behavioral and psychological research, basic/clinical/ preclinical research, epidemiologic research, cancer control, health policy, bioengineering research, health services research, biological or chemical research, etc. (not exclusive  and listed in order of preference)

ELIGIBILITY:

Applicants are limited to junior faculty of The George Washington University (Tenure track or Research Faculty), including faculty currently holding appointment at the GW Medical Faculty Associates and Children’s National Medical Center.   The ACS defines junior faculty as those who are within six years of their first faculty appointment and/or first independent research position.  Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible for this award. 

The IRG is intended for junior faculty who are eligible to apply for NIH or NCI grants, but have not received grant support from a national agency, served as a PI on a peer-reviewed grant from a national sponsor, or received previous non-IRG funding from the ACS are NOT eligible as applicants. 

Allowable other support includes past or current grants that are primarily intended for the junior investigator’s salary, such as the NIH “K” series, R03s that have not been renewed, ASH scholar awards, F32 awards, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Awards, and Hartford Foundation Grants.  These should be recorded in the “Other Research Support” section.  Eligibility must be verified by the Department Chair. 

Applicants must be at the time of application United States citizens, noncitizen nationals, or permanent residents of the United States or its possessions or territories, proof may be requested.  ACS guidelines explicitly state that no awards are to be made to researchers who have been or are funded by the tobacco industry for any project.  A listing of defined tobacco industry funding is available upon request. 

Award Information:

Maximum Award:                               Up to $30,000 per investigator

IRG Award Period:                            One year of research from date of award with no extensions

National Race for the Cure 2008
 
What:    GW Colonials for the Cure
              (Free GW Team T-shirts after registration)
 
When:  Saturday, 7 June 2008
·        8:00am 5K Run Starting time
·        8:15am 5K Walk Starting time
·        Preliminary Events (as early as 6:45am)
 
Where: Start/Finish- National Mall
 
Who:     GW Friends, Patients, Students, Alumni, Faculty...
 
 
GW has a long-standing tradition of helping others and this year many alumni, doctors, faculty, staff, student groups, and friends of GW are continuing this tradition by joining the GW Colonials for the Cure - The GW Komen Race for the Cure team.  The following GW groups are already participating: GW Cancer Institute, Public Health Alumni Association, Public Health Student Association, GW Alumni Association, GW Division of Development and Alumni Relations, MFA Breast Care Center, and the GWU-UHS Hospital.
 
Both Komen runners and walkers dedicate their efforts to raising awareness and significant funds for the fight against breast cancer, while celebrating cancer survivorship and honoring those who have lost their battle to this disease.
 
How to join GW Colonials for the Cure:
 
To join our GW Team, please go to the Team page here and click on ‘Join Our Team’. 
 
Find in-person registration locations in and around Washington, DC at: http://www.nationalraceforthecure.org/teams.htm .
 
**GW Team T-shirts will be made available before and on race day; additional details will be posted on the GW Colonials for the Cure Komen Team Web-page.  Please check it often for team updates and news.**
 
Visit the Komen Race for the Cure Website for event details http://www.nationalraceforthecure.org/2007race.htm.  We look forward to running and walking with each of you this coming June 7th, during the Komen Race for the Cure.
 
For further details, please contact one us:
 
Kate Duis
GW Medical Center Development and Alumni Relations
202-994-9762
mcdksd@gwumc.edu
 
Paul Klintworth
GW Cancer Institute
202-994-2744
canpkk@gwumc.edu
 
Maggie Wilson
GW Alumni House
202-994-3990
maggiew@gwu.edu

                            Camp Kesem

You may visit Camp Kesem's website here for more detailed information!

About Camp Kesem:

Camp Kesem is a college-student-run summer camp for children whose parents have (or have had) cancer.  It has provided plenty of laughs and lots of emotional, but non-therapeutic support.  The camp is also 100% free to all of its campers, as the financial burden of cancer can be detrimental to a family.  This week of sleep-away fun and friendships forged in a safe, compassionate and cancer-aware environment began in 2000, at Stanford University and now stretches across 21 different college campuses in America.  These student leaders choose to change the lives of children within their college community.

When and Where will Camp Kesem take place?

The George Washington University’s Camp Kesem will be help at Camp Letts, in Edgewater, Maryland from August 18th-21st.  The camp is open to all eligible children aged 6-13, and will be filled on a first come, first serve basis.  Campers stay in a single-sex cabin and there is a 3:1 camper to counselor ratio in order to provide the campers with the most personal attention.  All counselors are trained by Camp Kesem National, and at all times there will be a nurse and social worker at the camp, as well as the Camp Letts faculty.

Why should you send your child to Camp Kesem? 

It provides a unique, weeklong opportunity for children whose families are experiencing cancer.  They can go to a normal, fun-filled summer camp and participate in numerous activities such as arts & crafts, swimming, sports, and song-singing all while surrounded by children who have similar experiences.  Camp Kesem is not a therapy camp, but instead allows these children to have fun in an environment where they do not feel as though they are the only ones experiencing this hardship and can feel open to talk about the issues if they wish. Finally, Camp Kesem holds reunions throughout the year in order to help children keep in contact with their new friends between summers.  It is a place where kesem (magic) is brought to both children and their families.

If you are interested in registering your child for the Free 4 day summer camp please contact: 202-683-8812.