Edith Peterson Mitchell, MD
Health Equity Travel Scholarships

Description

The ECOG-ACRIN Cancer Research Group (ECOG-ACRIN) offers the Edith Peterson Mitchell, MD Health Equity Travel Scholarships for medical and research trainees to attend one of the semi-annual ECOG-ACRIN Group Meetings. Qualifying individuals may apply to attend in the spring or fall.

During the meeting, awardees will attend the Health Equity Committee session, where researchers discuss active and planned clinical trials and related activities to improve diversity, equity, and inclusion across the ECOG-ACRIN research portfolio. Awardees also have full access to numerous scientific sessions that highlight active and planned research studies in the areas of cancer control and outcomes, therapeutic studies, and biomarker sciences. Selected applicants will receive further information regarding meeting-related expenses covered by the scholarship, including travel, lodging, and meals.

Following the meeting, the Health Equity Committee chairs encourage trainees to continue their contact with ECOG-ACRIN through participation in the Committee.

Eligibility

This program is open to trainees, including students, residents, fellows, and early career investigators, who self-identify with populations historically excluded from medicine and science. Please see this National Institutes of Health resource for more information on such populations. Please note that ECOG-ACRIN also acknowledges that sexual and gender minority (SGM) populations have historically been excluded from medicine and science.

This program is also open to researchers with a primary focus on health equity. However, applications from those who self-identify with populations historically excluded from medicine and science will be prioritized in the review process.

Search for Applicants

The Health Equity Committee, which oversees the program, reaches out twice a year for nomination submissions from personnel in ECOG-ACRIN member institutions. The Committee also contacts coordinating directors at the National Cancer Institute's (NCI's) Geographic Management of Cancer Health Disparities Program (GMaP) and National Outreach Network of community health educators (NON CHE) located at NCI-designated cancer centers.

Individuals may also apply without an institutional affiliation or contact.

Application Instructions

If applying with an institutional affiliation or contact, obtain a letter of support from any of the following: institutional department chair, section head, or division director; ECOG-ACRIN Principal Investigator or committee chair at the institution; or a GMAP or NON CHE director, if available.
Write a brief cover letter describing your career goals, research interests, relevant coursework, applicable community service, and a statement explaining what you seek to gain by attending the meeting
Prepare an email, attaching your cover letter, current curriculum vitae or biosketch, and the letter of support (if applying with an institutional affiliation). You must include all documents in the same email, as PDF files, for the application to be considered. Please also include an email address and a permanent mailing address for future contact.
Submit the email before the posted deadline

Selection

Criteria used to identify award winners will include the stage of career and alignment between career goals and ECOG-ACRIN research priorities. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee comprised of ECOG-ACRIN committee chairs and investigators.

History and Funding

The ECOG-ACRIN Health Equity Committee established the travel scholarship program in 2017. Funding is provided by the ECOG Research and Education Foundation.