DOD Ovarian Cancer Academy Grant: Fostering Early-Career Ovarian Cancer Researchers

Initially created in FY09, the OCRP Ovarian Cancer Academy Award mechanism is a unique, interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty. The overarching goal of the Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) is to develop successful, highly productive ovarian cancer researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment.

The OCA is a virtual career development and research training platform that consists of Early-Career Investigators (ECIs), their Designated Mentors from different institutions, and an Academy Dean and Assistant Dean. The OCRP Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award is not a traditional career development award; the ECI is expected to participate in monthly webinars and annual workshops and to communicate and collaborate with other members of the Academy (other ECIs, Mentors, Dean, Assistant Dean) as well as with the advocacy community. Since its inception, the Academy’s ECIs have presented at and chaired sessions for ovarian cancer-specific symposia and served on symposia review committees. They have also served as peer reviewers for the Department of Defense (DOD) OCRP and other funding agencies.