The NCI Worta McCaskill-Stevens Career Development Award for Community Oncology and Prevention Research (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)
Support for early-career clinicians in community oncology or cancer prevention to transition to independent research roles, including leading clinical trials and engaging underserved communities.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 18, 2025 | February 18, 2026 | June 18, 2026 | February 18, 2027
Funding Amounts: Year 1: up to $50,000 direct costs (planning); Years 2–5: up to $750,000 direct costs/year; Scholar salary up to $110,000/year for 2–3 years; project period up to 5 years.
Summary: Supports institutional career development for early-career clinicians in community oncology or cancer prevention, with emphasis on independent research and clinical trials engaging underserved populations.
Key Information: Limited submission; clinical trial optional; U.S. institutions only; updated March 2025—review full NOFO for changes.
Description
This opportunity, offered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI) at NIH, funds institutional career development programs (K12) to train and support newly trained clinicians committed to independent research careers in community oncology or cancer prevention. The program is named in honor of Dr. Worta McCaskill-Stevens, a leader in community-based cancer research and health disparities.
The award aims to:
- Prepare early-career clinical scientists for independent research roles, especially in community settings.
- Facilitate transition to advanced NIH funding (e.g., K08, R01).
- Emphasize research that improves care and outcomes for minority health populations and those with health disparities, increasing their participation in cancer clinical trials.
Scholars may:
- Lead independent community-based clinical trials.
- Conduct ancillary studies to existing prevention, screening, or control trials.
- Gain research experience in clinical trials led by others.
- Develop innovative approaches to expand engagement of underrepresented communities in cancer research.
