V Foundation unveils grant program to increase representation of women in cancer research
The V Foundation announced a multimillion dollar inaugural program to increase representation of women in cancer research.
The program, dubbed A Grant of Her Own: The Women Scientists Innovation Award for Cancer Research, aims to address gender inequities in cancer research funding.
The V Foundation will award at least $8 million in grants to outstanding female researchers at different stages in their careers who are nominated by National Cancer Institute-designated cancer centers and other research institutions and then selected by the foundation’s scientific advisory board, according to a press release from the foundation.
Nominations for the program must be submitted to V Foundation by Feb. 15, 2023. The deadline for candidate applications is March 16, 2023.
“By providing self-identified female investigators the necessary resources to begin and sustain impactful research and careers, [the program] will help address systemic gender disparities which have long existed and were further widened during the pandemic,” Susanna F. Greer, PhD, chief scientific officer of V Foundation, said in the release. “These factors have kept women from fully contributing to the field of cancer research.”
The foundation will award two separate grants as part of the inaugural program:
- the V Scholar Award to fund $600,000 over 3 years: for early career investigators whose research increases the understanding of cancer biology or translational-type research that improves cancer detection, prevention, treatment and survivorship; and
- the Translational Research Award to fund $800,000 over 4 years: for investigators who pursue cancer research that moves a novel strategy from the lab to a human clinical trial or uses specimens from a clinical trial to develop novel biomarkers or mechanisms.
“These female-specific grants expand on the V Foundation’s work to level the playing field by providing funds to support the research of all-star women scientists and those of color whose contributions are desperately needed to help us accelerate Victory Over Cancer,” Shane Jacobson, CEO of V Foundation, said. “This year marks the 30th anniversary of the V Foundation, and from day 1, we have always been committed to female-led cancer research.”