For Scientists

Award Programs Information

Application Cover Sheet with all required signatures (ink or electronic).
The At-a-Glance Form.
A Letter of Commitment endorsed by both the Dean or Center Director and the Head/Chair of the Department should:
1. confirm the applicant’s and Mentor’s academic appointments
2. state the institution’s commitment to support the applicant’s research efforts, the nature of the support that will be provided, and guarantee a minimum of 80% protected time for the applicant’s research to fulfill the terms of the award.

The Foundation will monitor the awardee’s protected time during the course of the award to ensure that this commitment is being met.

The Applicant’s Letter should outline the applicant’s long-term vision and goals in the field of clinical or translational cancer investigation and the applicant’s future commitment to clinical/translational research.
Applicant’s Personal Statement, a narrative that is no more than one page and includes:
1. What the applicant anticipates gaining from this award with respect to its impact and the applicant’s career development
2. Optional: personal background. (Applicants may choose to describe experiences that have influenced their current educational and career goals. Applicants may discuss challenges that they have faced while pursuing careers in research.)
The Applicant’s NIH Biosketch, in compliance with current NIH Guidelines, should include education and training information, research and professional experience, and a statement of board eligibility.
The Applicant’s Full Bibliography, in which:
1. the applicant’s name must be highlighted for each entry
2. original, peer-reviewed research articles must be listed separately and first with hyperlinks
3. next list review articles, chapters, editorials, etc.

Do not include presentations, abstracts, “in preparation” or “under review” articles.

Applicant’s Accomplishments: list and describe the three most important professional accomplishments.
Applicant’s Other Sources of Funding: list all current and pending funding sources. Include the specific aims of each grant, the total amount of each grant as well as the amount received each year, and confirmation that there is no scientific or budgetary overlap with the proposed research.

Note: Only one application will be accepted from a Mentor (Co-Mentor) per review session.

The Mentor’s Letter of Support should include:
1. an evaluation of the applicant’s qualifications for the proposed research project
2. an assessment of the applicant’s potential for successful independent translational research.
3. a statement specifying which research products and/or intellectual property the applicant will be permitted to take with them upon transitioning to an independent position.
The Mentor's Track Record of Mentorship description, with a list of trainees (indicating MDs; MD/PhDs; PhDs; DOs).
The Mentor’s NIH Biosketch, in compliance with current NIH Guidelines, which highlights any current or pending (other) support.
If there are two Mentors, each Mentor must submit a Letter of Support, Track Record of Mentorship, Biosketch, and list of other support.
The Mentor’s Proposal for Training should be no longer than three pages* of single-spaced, 12-point type with at least 0.5-inch margins and include:
1. a plan for how the Mentor will ensure the development of the applicant into a successful physician-scientist
2. a statement of the number of hours they will commit to the awardee’s training each week
3. a description of any formal courses and training programs developed and offered by the sponsoring institution for the training of physician-scientists that would be included in the applicant’s curriculum.
4. a plan for how the applicant will be supported in transitioning to an independent career, including provisions for the applicant to take certain aspects of the research or intellectual property with them when they establish their own lab.

*If there are two Mentors, submit only one Proposal for Training, no longer than four pages.

The Applicant’s Research Proposal, including figures, tables and legends, is limited to four pages of single-spaced, 12-point type with at least 0.5-inch margins. A list of references is not included in the four-page limit. The proposal should outline concisely:
1. the aim(s) of the proposed research project(s)
2. the significance of the research goals
3. the plan of research proposed and the experimental designs, strategies, and methods to be used in the conduct of the research
4. (where applicable) biostatistical methods used for design and analysis
5. (if any part of the research proposal falls outside of your or your Mentor’s research expertise) please explain and identify the expert consultant who will guide you.
The Summary of Research Form, not to exceed one page. This should match the Abstracts tab.
If applicable, up to three Collaboration Letters (NOT REFERENCE LETTERS).

Letters of Recommendation (Required)

Applicants must have two letters of recommendation submitted through Proposal Central by referees using their own letterhead. The letters should be from qualified individuals (other than the Mentor) who are best able to assess the applicant and the applicant’s potential for conducting meaningful translational cancer research. The quality and depth of these letters will be pivotal in deciding the applicant’s suitability.

Recommended Sources: residency program and/or fellowship training period.

NOTE: Referees will upload the letters of recommendation directly to Proposal Central. Once in Proposal Central, the applicant will navigate to Tab 7 – Letters of Recommendation. Each referee is sent a link to submit their letters of recommendation. Applicants may invite the referee to submit by entering their email in Tab 7 and pressing the + button. The referee will be sent an email with a link to upload the letter. After all referees submit their letters, the blind letters of recommendation attachment requirement will be complete, and the status of Tab 7 will show as “submitted.”
Both letters of recommendation must be submitted on or before the application deadline. Applicants will NOT be able to submit their application unless all reference letters are uploaded.

Contact Information

Award Programs | awards@damonrunyon.org

For Scientists

jump to

Damon Runyon Physician-Scientist Training Award Application Guidelines

Important Dates

Application Requirements (Forms are on Proposal Central)

Letters of Recommendation (Required)

Contact Information