ASCO and AORTIC are pleased to offer cancer research training and mentorship to African investigators through a new program, the International Clinical Research Scholars (ICRS) program. The ICRS is a 1-year program designed to support a beginning cancer investigator through the process of refining a research concept, developing a protocol, leading a research team, writing a manuscript, and applying for grants.
The program includes a 2-day in-person course, bi-monthly virtual trainings, networking opportunities, and a 1-year virtual mentorship with an ASCO expert. It requires a time commitment to actively participate in virtual sessions, prepare independent study, conduct a research project, and will also require travel to an in-person workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 25-26, 2025.
Accepted applicants will have travel costs covered for the in-person portion of the program (economy airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodation, and meals).
Objective
The ICRS brings together a diverse interdisciplinary group of cancer researchers equipped with skills to identify and conduct compelling research projects in their countries and empowered to lead research teams within their practice settings.
Topics
- How develop a research concept
- Ethical conduct in research
- Statistical principles for investigators
- Clinical trial design and methodologies
- How to avoid bias in research
- Clinical value in research
- Considerations for non-drug development studies (ie, Observational studies and real world data)
- Writing a manuscript for publication
- Writing a grant
- Leadership skills for clinical investigators – basics of leadership and critical skills for investigators
Content Delivery
Content will be delivered as a hybrid of live on-line and in-person learning sessions from May 2025 - June 2026. Online sessions will be held every two months, and the in-person is scheduled to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 25-26, 2025.
Eligibility
Applicants for the 2025-2026 ICRS must meet the following criteria:
- Be an ASCO & AORTIC member (or willing to join upon acceptance)
- Be an early to mid-career health professional working in the African Region
- Be proficient in English
- Have a compelling research idea that is feasible to complete in less than two years (ie. observational, quality of life, health systems, etc.) and that has not yet started. The project year will focus on the development of your idea.
- Have the support from a supervisor or senior member from one’s institution/practice. A letter of support endorsing your participation in the program will be required.
- Have identified a local mentor to help guide and support them through the local research process. Local mentors do not have to be in the same field as your project. If a local mentor is unavailable, a regional mentor will be considered.
Research Question
Applicants will be asked to submit a research question that they would like to develop during their program year.
They are welcome to view our webinar for additional guidance: Impacting Care Through Clinical Research: Crafting the Ultimate Research Question
Passcode: ?X6dGW!^
Notification Process
Applicants can expect to be notified by May 15, 2025.
ASCO & AORTIC: Intl Clinical Research Scholars Program (ICRS) Africa
ASCO and AORTIC are pleased to offer cancer research training and mentorship to African investigators through a new program, the International Clinical Research Scholars (ICRS) program. The ICRS is a 1-year program designed to support a beginning cancer investigator through the process of refining a research concept, developing a protocol, leading a research team, writing a manuscript, and applying for grants.
The program includes a 2-day in-person course, bi-monthly virtual trainings, networking opportunities, and a 1-year virtual mentorship with an ASCO expert. It requires a time commitment to actively participate in virtual sessions, prepare independent study, conduct a research project, and will also require travel to an in-person workshop in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 25-26, 2025.
Accepted applicants will have travel costs covered for the in-person portion of the program (economy airfare, ground transportation, hotel accommodation, and meals).
Objective
The ICRS brings together a diverse interdisciplinary group of cancer researchers equipped with skills to identify and conduct compelling research projects in their countries and empowered to lead research teams within their practice settings.
Topics
- How develop a research concept
- Ethical conduct in research
- Statistical principles for investigators
- Clinical trial design and methodologies
- How to avoid bias in research
- Clinical value in research
- Considerations for non-drug development studies (ie, Observational studies and real world data)
- Writing a manuscript for publication
- Writing a grant
- Leadership skills for clinical investigators – basics of leadership and critical skills for investigators
Content Delivery
Content will be delivered as a hybrid of live on-line and in-person learning sessions from May 2025 - June 2026. Online sessions will be held every two months, and the in-person is scheduled to be held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, June 25-26, 2025.
Eligibility
Applicants for the 2025-2026 ICRS must meet the following criteria:
- Be an ASCO & AORTIC member (or willing to join upon acceptance)
- Be an early to mid-career health professional working in the African Region
- Be proficient in English
- Have a compelling research idea that is feasible to complete in less than two years (ie. observational, quality of life, health systems, etc.) and that has not yet started. The project year will focus on the development of your idea.
- Have the support from a supervisor or senior member from one’s institution/practice. A letter of support endorsing your participation in the program will be required.
- Have identified a local mentor to help guide and support them through the local research process. Local mentors do not have to be in the same field as your project. If a local mentor is unavailable, a regional mentor will be considered.
Research Question
Applicants will be asked to submit a research question that they would like to develop during their program year.
They are welcome to view our webinar for additional guidance: Impacting Care Through Clinical Research: Crafting the Ultimate Research Question
Passcode: ?X6dGW!^
Notification Process
Applicants can expect to be notified by May 15, 2025.