Irish Cancer Society Translational Research Scholarship Programme 2022

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Introduction

The Irish Cancer Society is now accepting expression of interest (EOI) submissions for the Translational Research Scholarship Programme 2022.

The objective of the Irish Cancer Society Translational Research Scholarship Programme is to offer excellent graduates from the biomedical sciences, pharmaceutical sciences, life sciences or medicine the opportunity to undertake postgraduate training in world class cancer research. There is scholarship funding available for one applicant of the highest calibre to focus on research within areas of high strategic priority[1] for the Irish Cancer Society.

During the four-year programme, Scholars will undertake general and cancer-specific training while participating in structured PhD programmes, and will have the opportunity to gain experience at an international research institution through a mobility/capacity building element. This will be subject to ongoing restrictions related to the Covid-19 pandemic. Please see the guidance document and the FAQ document below for more information on translational research and project eligibility*.

This scholarship is specifically intended to fund research that is aligned with the Society’s Strategy (2020-2025) and its Research Roadmap. Proposed projects can be in any of the following areas: a) translational biomedical research, b) clinical trials, c) survivorship, or d) strategic priorities. These areas are described below in greater detail (See Figure 1 in the documents below).

[1] https://www.cancer.ie/about-us/irish-cancer-society-strategy-2020-2025

  1. Translational biomedical research can be defined as ‘bench to bedside’ or patient-focused biomedical research, the aim of which is to translate existing knowledge about cancer biology into techniques and tools that will accelerate progress towards patient treatment. Research in this area will build upon basic biological discoveries and improves their translational potential through pre-clinical studies. Much of the outputs of translational research naturally merge into trials, the next area of focus. Please note, applications in drug design, SAR (structure–activity relationship) analysis, drug screening or basic biomedical research will not be considered at this time.
  2. Clinical trials are organised investigations in people to examine the benefits of new approaches to treatment and care. For example, looking to see if a new medicine can improve survival for a particular form of cancer. As well as funding these drug-based trials (so called IMP trials), the Irish Cancer Society is also interested in funding non-drug based trials (non-IMP trials) in areas such as diagnostics, technology, radiotherapy, surgery, psycho-oncology, exercise, nutrition, and combinations of these.
  3. Survivorship covers the period from diagnosis to treatment outcome (including palliative and end-of-life care). Survivorship research seeks to improve the care and outcomes experienced by people living with and beyond cancer. it includes: prevention and early detection of recurrent cancer; long term effects of cancer and its treatment; quality and experience of treatment and care; psycho-social effects of cancer and its treatment; self-management; health information and literacy; genetic risk and counselling; physical and practical needs e.g. financial, employment, mobility; etc.
  4. Strategic priorities is a crosscutting theme, which seeks to specifically foster and grow research into areas of high unmet need in cancer. For example, cancers which have not benefited from the huge strides in outcome seen in some malignancies (metastatic disease, rare cancers and cancers with poor response or outcomes); the unmet needs of children, adolescents, and young adults affected by cancer; tackling misinformation and disinformation in cancer; addressing the needs of under-represented groups of people (e.g. Travelling community, ethnic and language minority communities, migrant communities, communities with socio-economic or mental health challenges, or any other socially excluded group).

Funding

The total value of the Irish Cancer Society Research Scholarship covering stipend, fees, materials and dissemination will be €155,000 for a maximum of four years*.

A mandatory provision of €1,000 is included within this budget to support Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) in the proposed research project*.

Additionally, mobility/capacity building funding of up to a maximum of €5,000 will be available. This may be used for travel to a national or international research institution in furtherance of advancement of the research project aims, over the course of the programme. The purpose of this mobility/capacity building element is to allow the applicant an opportunity to spend time working in varied research environments to maximise project impact and to aid the individual in their career development prospects. A detailed plan for this element will be required from applicants shortlisted to the full application stage.

Please note a detailed budget is not required at the EOI stage, and full details of budget guidelines will be provided to applicants that get shortlisted to the full application stage of this funding award.

*Please note that the €1,000 available for PPI may be supplemented with funds remaining from the student’s annual budget. However, the annual budget may not be supplemented with the PPI fund.

Submission

All applications must be submitted through the online grant management system by 3.00pm, Tuesday 22 February 2022.

Grant management system- https://grants.cancer.ie

Key dates

Further details of important dates for the full application stage will be given to shortlisted applicants. Please note: this is for guidance purposes only, and is subject to change.

Please note, the commencement of the PhD in September 2022 must be in line with any public health guidelines in place in Ireland at that time due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

Thursday 13 JanuaryExpression of Interest (EOI) Applications Open
Tuesday 22 February, 3.00pmEOI online submission Deadline
MarchReview of EOI applications for shortlisting
Late MarchShortlisted applicants invited to submit full application
Early MayFull Application deadline
MayReview of full applications
Early to mid-JuneShortlisted applicants Invited to Interview
Late JuneInterviews (will be held virtually)
Early JulyAnnouncement of awards
Guidelines, FAQ and documents
Documents to download

Where we get our funding
Fundraising events, donations, charity shops, corporate giving – these are some of the ways we get our funding.
 

For more information

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Phone

(01) 231 0500

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