DoD Ovarian Cancer Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award

Background
The Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) is a virtual career development and research training platform that provides intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty. The overarching goal of the OCA is to develop successful, highly productive ovarian cancer researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment.

The mission of the Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) is to support patient-centered research to prevent, detect, treat, and cure ovarian cancer to enhance the health and well-being of Service Members, Veterans, their Family members, and all women impacted by this disease.

Grant Details
The OCA-ECI Award is a unique career development award that expects Early-Career Investigators (ECIs) to participate in monthly webinars and annual workshops and to communicate and collaborate with other members of the Academy. The award provides funding, networking opportunities, and research experience necessary for the ECI's independent career development.

The ECI must commit to conducting ovarian cancer research for 4 years under the guidance of a Designated Mentor experienced in ovarian cancer research. The proposed research must be relevant to active-duty Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public. Collaborations between researchers at military or Veteran institutions and non-military institutions are encouraged.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible applicants include extramural and intramural organizations such as academic institutions, biotechnology companies, foundations, federal government organizations other than the DOD, research institutes, DOD laboratories, DOD military treatment facilities, and/or DOD activities embedded within a civilian medical center.

The Principal Investigator (PI) must be an Early-Career Investigator within 5 years of their last postdoctoral research position or clinical fellowship. The Designated Mentor must be an independent, established ovarian cancer researcher with ovarian cancer research funding and publications in peer-reviewed journals.

Period of Performance
The period of performance for an FY24 OCRP OCA-ECI Award should not exceed $725,000 in direct costs budgeted for the entire period. Awards supported with FY24 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2025.

Grant Value
$2.32M is expected to fund approximately two OCA-ECI Award applications. Funding of applications received is contingent upon the availability of federal funds for this program.