Group of 50 distinguished scholars and leaders in breast cancer, to be assembled from around the world, also will develop educational materials, training and new programs.
DALLAS – January 15, 2010 – Susan G. Komen for the Cure® is reaching to a broader range of scientific experts to help drive the direction and impact of the world’s largest breast cancer organization’s research program.
Komen for the Cure is establishing a new Council of Advisors of 50 experts from a variety of medical and scientific backgrounds to broaden the organization’s extensive investment in research, community programs, scientific peer review and public policy.
Once the new council is selected, Komen for the Cure’s current Scientific Advisory Board (SAB) will serve as the organization’s scientific executive committee. Established in 2007, the SAB has focused the organization’s research program on those endeavors with the best chance of providing effective treatments within 10 years.
Komen has invested $500 million in research programs since 1982, and currently funds more than 650 active research grants around the world. The new Council of Advisors is expected to build on the SAB’s foundation by bringing in more leaders from various medical and science specialties to help guide the research program.
“Having the ability to assess new technologies, discoveries and potential breakthrough therapies as thoroughly and as rapidly as possible is a key component for our scientific mission,” said Elizabeth Thompson, vice president of Komen’s Health Science division. “This new group of distinguished scholars and researchers will provide Komen with those capabilities. New council members will also participate in professional scientific conferences, think tank meetings and state-of-science reviews.
Nominations and applications are now available. Deadline for applications is March 1. Interested applicants can download an Adobe application form from Komen’s website at komen.org, complete the application form and email it to JMcKnight@Komen.org
Individuals will serve as either Full or Associate Council Members. Full members will be established senior scholars and leaders in the field of breast cancer who have already made significant contributions to the field. Associate members will be independent investigators and scientists between five and 12 years from fellowship training who demonstrate significant promise of making important contributions to and leading the field of breast cancer.
As distinguished scholars, Full Council members will be awarded a $250,000 Komen research grant and Associate Council Members a $175,000 Komen research grant annually for the duration of their two-year term on the Advisory Council. This grant must be used to study critical questions in breast cancer and will require an annual project description and annual progress and financial reports.
An open application process will be used to select council members, allowing any interested individual to apply. Application components will include:
- Personal statement of interest and commitment to serve
- Description of work in breast cancer
- Commitment to the field of breast cancer
- Leadership in the field of breast cancer
- Curriculum Vitae
- Designation of primary and secondary discipline
