The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research (RTFCCR) has initiated a new funding programme to support early career investigators in supportive care for cancer patients.

The 'Early Career in Supportive Care programme' aims to address the urgent need for innovative research and funding in this essential area of oncology. Supportive care in cancer focuses on the prevention and management of the adverse effects of cancer and its treatment, including both physical and psychological symptoms.

Despite its importance, the field faces significant challenges, including a limited number of high-quality clinical trials and inadequate funding for early career researchers. RTFCCR's new programme is designed to provide initial research funding for early career investigators, helping them to become competitive for larger, independent grants.

The programme will fund evidence-based interventional clinical trials that aim to improve the quality of life for cancer patients. Eligible investigators must be in their first to third year of a full-time faculty appointment at an academic medical institution.

The programme will offer up to two awards per year, each consisting of a USD 245,000 grant over a period of four years. Proposals must include measurable outcomes and active involvement of patient partners in the study design to ensure they reflect the real needs of cancer patients.

The initiative will run from 2025 to 2029, with a total of five annual calls for proposals. Applications will be evaluated based on their fit with RTFCCR's strategic goals, level of innovation, patient involvement, and the experience of the applicants and their mentors.

The award process includes a letter of intent phase and a full application phase for selected candidates. RTFCCR's commitment to supporting early career investigators in supportive care underscores the foundation's dedication to improving cancer patients' treatment options and quality of life.

The Rising Tide Foundation for Clinical Cancer Research is a charitable, non-profit organization established in 2010. Our long-term research ambition is to optimise partnerships and attract the best in Phase I to Phase III clinical trials that aim to bring maximum patient benefit in the shortest time possible.

It includes patient partners in clinical cancer research from research questions design through dissemination of results as the new norm for RTFCCR. For more information, visit the website Early Career in Supportive Care programme - Rising Tide Foundation or contact: Karolina Werynska, PhD at karolina.werynska@risingtide.ch

Source: Rising Tide Foundation