Scientists who are minorities can fund their research through a variety of sources.
Grants that target minority outreach research studies on cancer are efforts to increase funding sources to scientists who focus on servicing the health needs of minority communities. Many times research includes finding the factors that contribute to disparate health impacts. A disparate health impact means that higher numbers of certain racial or ethnic groups within society report developing diseases such as cancer. Grants may include both publicly and privately funded sources. Some grants are directed specifically to minority research scientists, while other grants can be applied for by any scientist involved in minority cancer research.
AACR Award Programs
The American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) Minority Scholar in Cancer Research Award programs aim to reach early career minority scientists. Three programs include AACR Minority Scholar Awards in Cancer Research, AACR-HBCU Faculty Scholar Awards in Cancer Research and AACR-WICR Brigid G. Leventhal Scholars in Cancer Research. According to the AACR website, candidates "must be full-time graduate students, medical students, residents, clinical or postdoctoral fellows, or junior faculty members"; from a minority group recognized by the National Cancer Institute; and a U.S. or Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award
Research grant funding for disparate health impact studies can be applied to cancer research.
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health make research funding such as the NIH Mentored Research Scientist Development Award, which is designed to increase the participation of members of underrepresented minority groups in scientific research. A visit to the U.S. federal government website Grants.gov provides search fields where government-issued research grants can be found.
Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Cigarette Restitution Fund Program
Maryland's Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DHMH) Cigarette Restitution Fund program awards Minority Outreach and Technical Assistance grants that are not specifically research grants, but may support field studies and screenings among minority populations with cancer disparities related to tobacco use. "Maryland's minority populations are disproportionately affected by tobacco-related cancers," said DHMH Secretary Dr. Georges C. Benjamin. "These grants, which will help us reach out to those communities, are critical in our fight against tobacco and cancer."
Cooperative Planning Grant for Cancer Disparities Research Partnership
The National Cancer Institute's Cooperative Planning Grant for Cancer Disparities Research Partnership program issued by the Radiation Research Programs aims to support oncology clinical trials to support the reduction of the "significant negative consequences of cancer disparities seen in certain U.S. populations."
Tags: Department Health, disparate health, AACR Minority, AACR Minority Scholar, Awards Cancer
