HERA Foundation Ovarian Cancer Seed Grant Program

The HERA Foundation is seeking applicants for its Ovarian Cancer Seed Grant program. The Foundation plans to fund one or two grants during this cycle, for a total of $30,000 over the course of one year. Please see below for specific eligibility requirements and application instructions. All applications must be received by March 17, 2003. The selection committee plans to notify successful applicants by April 1 with funding to begin shortly thereafter. Hard copy applications should be sent to Dr. Robert Kurman, Weinberg Building, Room 2242. If you have any questions regarding this opportunity, please contact Dr. Kurman at 5-0471 or via email: rkurman@jhmi.edu.

Mission: The HERA Foundation is a non-profit organization whose mission is to prevent ovarian cancer and improve prognosis through innovative scientific research and education. The HERA Foundation funds basic, translational, and clinical research projects that address challenging problems posed by ovarian cancer. Projects include, but are not limited to, those that study disease etiology and pathogenesis, and those that explore novel approaches to early ovarian cancer detection and therapy.

Eligibility: Applicants must hold either a Ph.D. and/or an M.D. degree, and be either a post-doctoral research fellow or clinical fellow. A previous research background in ovarian cancer is not essential, as the HERA Foundation seeks to encourage new young investigators to enter the field. However, candidates should demonstrate the relevance of their previous research background to the proposed work, and indicate a strong long-term commitment to research in the field of ovarian cancer.

Evaluation criteria: Key criteria are the importance of the problem to be addressed, the originality of the approach and concepts, feasibility of the methodology, and the research experience and qualifications of the candidate.

Format of application: The following points 1-5 should not exceed two pages of single-spaced

12-point type

1. A lay person’s summary of the proposed research
2. A statement of specific research objectives
3. A concise description of the methodology to be employed
4. A description of the significance of the proposed work, i.e. how the research contributes to prevention and detection of ovarian cancer and improvement of prognosis
5. A statement demonstrating the relevance of the candidate’s previous research background to the proposed work
6. A summary of the budget, i.e. how funds will be specifically utilized. The HERA Foundation does not support indirect costs.
7. The candidate’s biosketch in standard NIH format (not exceeding 2 pages) should be attached.
   

Send the application to Dr. Robert Kurman, Weinberg Building, Room 2242, by March 17, 2003.

Post-award requirements: Award recipients must submit a one-page progress report within one-month after the expiration of the term of the award. The report should:

1. clearly state the findings of the work performed
2. specify how the findings met the objectives established in the application
3. describe the impact that the research has on our current understanding of ovarian cancer
4. describe future research goals
5. mention any publications and conference presentations of the work performed
6. include a personal statement of how the work funded by the HERA Foundation has enabled the professional growth of the recipient
   
   

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