Solid Tumor Research Grant Eligibility (ACE)

Who can Apply

This award is intended for early career researchers who focus their research on breast, upper gastrointestinal (esophageal, gastric, & gastroesophageal junction cancer), or lung cancer.

Inclusion Criteria

Early career scientists with a strong research track record of published research, who hold a position at a research institution for the duration of the award tenure
Hold an MD or PhD (or equivalent degree) at the time of application submission.
MD qualifications should have been obtained within the last 10 years or PhD qualifications should have been obtained within the last 5 years

· Please note: this award is intended for those early in their career, therefore, those who undertook an MD outside of the 10 years and many years later studied a PhD most likely wouldn’t be considered early career.
Have a research mentor with extensive experience in their field of Oncology Solid Tumors (co-mentorship is accepted)
Be able to devote at least 30% of professional time to research for 2-year award period (versus administrative, patient care, or teaching responsibilities)
Be able to complete the proposed research within the 2-year award period, providing evidence (manuscript presentation, or abstracts) resulting from the research
Demonstrate a strong career interest in Oncology, Solid Tumors

Exclusion Criteria

Proposals utilizing Gilead product(s) are not eligible for funding through the Research Scholars Program.
Clinical intervention research that is solely investigating Gilead competitor products. For example, studies focused solely on the safety, efficacy or tolerability of these products
Co-principle investigators are not eligible for funding
Duplicative funding: the RSP award cannot overlap with other current or pending funding. It can be used to support a larger research project, as long as it supports a specific component of it.
Applicants on visas shorter than the 2-year award period who cannot provide evidence for the duration of the term for the contract
Applicants who fall outside of the definition of ‘early career investigators’, for example, those who undertook a Medical Degree outside of the inclusion criteria and then completed a PhD (or other equivalent) many years later.

· The RSP award is intended for promising early career investigators

Exceptions to the above can apply, for example, having taken time out for parental leave or family bereavement.

Citizenship

Applicants must reside in on of the following eligible countries/regions:

Europe (all countries)
Canada
Australia

An applicant must be a citizen or permanent resident of the country/region in which they propose to conduct the research, or subject to the qualifications noted below hold a temporary study or non-immigrant visa. This visa must be valid and must allow the applicant to undertake the research over the two-year award period from the country/region in which they propose to conduct the research. This non-immigrant visa/work permit must be valid for the two-year award period or applicant must be able to establish that he or she is eligible for an extension, renewal or other status that will enable the applicant to perform the research in the applicable jurisdiction for the entirety of the two-year award period.

What positions are considered junior faculty positions?

Most post-fellowship positions are considered faculty positions. This could include, but is not limited to the following: Instructor, Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, Assistant Researcher, Lecturer, and Assistant Project Scientist. Institutions differ with regard to what they consider to be faculty positions. Please check with your institution as to what is a faculty appointment. Please note, fellows are not eligible for the program.

Are fellows eligible for the program?

Successful candidates will normally hold a faculty position in an appropriate university or research institute. Application and acceptance of a RSP Award requires the candidate to demonstrate that there is a host institution in place that is able to accept the terms and conditions of this award. Given research fellows normally work under contract to a funder and principle investigator, or already hold an independent fellowship, they would normally not be eligible for the program.

I received my MD or PhD (or equivalent degree) more than the years stated within the eligibility criteria, am I ineligible?

Gilead will consider extenuating circumstances for reasons why you may fall outside of the stated eligibility criteria. Examples include having taken time out for parental leave, for bereavement or for military service.