Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award | W81XWH 22 OCRP OCA

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) Early-Career Investigator Award

1) What is the Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) Early-Career Investigator Award?

The Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) Early-Career Investigator Award is a Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) funding opportunity designed to accelerate the careers of junior faculty working in ovarian cancer research through a structured, highly interactive mentoring and networking model. It operates as a virtual academy and cohort-based career development platform rather than a conventional standalone grant.

2) What is the main purpose of this award?

The central purpose is to cultivate a cohort of early-career ovarian cancer researchers who become successful, highly productive investigators. It does this by placing awardees in a collaborative environment that blends research planning, career guidance, community engagement, and long-term professional networking.

3) Is this a traditional research project grant or a career development program?

Based on the description provided, it is best understood as a training and career development platform built around people and ongoing participation, not just a funded project. The academy model emphasizes structured mentoring, networking, and cohort activities alongside research and professional growth.

4) How does the academy model work?

Each selected Early-Career Investigator (ECI) is integrated into an academy structure that includes a Designated Mentor and leadership from an Academy Dean and Assistant Dean. ECIs are expected to be active members of the academy community, including regular participation in monthly webinars and annual workshops, and ongoing collaboration within the cohort.

5) Who are the key people involved in supporting awardees?

The academy structure includes a Designated Mentor for each ECI, plus academy leadership roles described as an Academy Dean and an Assistant Dean. These roles support mentoring, career development, and the overall functioning of the cohort model.

6) What kinds of activities are awardees expected to participate in?

Awardees are expected to participate in monthly webinars and annual workshops, and to be active members of the academy community. The model emphasizes consistent communication, collaboration, and professional engagement across the cohort and with mentoring and academy leadership.

7) Does the program emphasize collaboration with other investigators?

Yes. The academy model is designed to create a strong peer network and encourage collaboration. ECIs are expected to work closely with their mentor and academy leadership as well as with other ECIs, helping build collaborations, visibility, and long-term professional connections.

8) Is engagement with the ovarian cancer advocacy community part of the program?

Yes. The description indicates that the academy encourages ECIs to engage not only with scientific peers but also with the ovarian cancer advocacy community as part of the collaborative environment and broader professional development experience.

9) What professional development outcomes does the program aim to support?

The opportunity is intended to help early-career researchers develop the professional habits and connections that can sustain a long research career. It emphasizes mentoring, networking, collaboration, research planning, career guidance, and broader community engagement within the ovarian cancer research ecosystem.

10) What kinds of leadership or service roles have past participants taken on?

The description notes that past participants have presented at and chaired sessions for ovarian cancer-focused symposia, served on symposium review committees, and contributed as peer reviewers for the DOD OCRP and other funding organizations. This suggests the academy is designed to prepare investigators to contribute through leadership, service, and peer review experience.

11) Who is offering and administering this funding opportunity?

The opportunity is offered by the Department of Defense, Department of the Army, through USAMRAA.

12) What is the funding opportunity number?

The funding opportunity number is W81XWH 22 OCRP OCA.

13) What CFDA number is associated with this opportunity?

It is listed under CFDA 12.420.

14) How is the opportunity categorized?

It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

15) What funding instruments are used for this opportunity?

The funding instruments include cooperative agreements and grants. This aligns with the expectation of engagement and coordination consistent with an academy-style model.

16) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility is listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), with the caveat that applicants must follow any additional eligibility details provided in the full announcement.

17) Are there additional eligibility requirements beyond "unrestricted"?

The summary indicates unrestricted eligibility, but also notes that applicants must follow any additional eligibility details provided in the full announcement. Any specific constraints would need to be confirmed in that full announcement.

18) When was this opportunity created, and what was the closing date?

The opportunity was created on March 18, 2022, with an original closing date of August 5, 2022.

19) How many awards were expected to be made?

The opportunity anticipated making about three awards.

20) What is the maximum award amount (award ceiling)?

The published award ceiling is listed as 0 in the summary, which typically indicates the maximum dollar amount was not captured in the summary field. The actual ceiling would need to be confirmed in the full funding announcement or related program guidance.

21) How should applicants interpret the award ceiling listed as "0"?

Based on the information provided, a ceiling of 0 usually means the summary record did not include the maximum dollar amount, not that the award has no funding. Confirmation of the funding limit would require checking the full announcement or associated program guidance.

22) What makes this award different from a typical career development award?

A defining feature is the emphasis on ongoing participation in a virtual academy, structured mentoring, cohort-based networking, and recurring academy activities (monthly webinars and annual workshops). The program is built around long-term professional development, community integration, and collaboration, not only around a single research plan.

23) What is an Early-Career Investigator (ECI) in this context?

The award is intended for early-career researchers described as junior faculty working in ovarian cancer research. The term "Early-Career Investigator (ECI)" is used for selected awardees within the academy structure.

24) Is the OCA a physical academy or an online program?

The OCA is described as a virtual academy rather than a conventional standalone career development grant, indicating that its core structure and interactions function in a virtual format.

25) What kinds of long-term benefits does the program aim to provide?

The program aims to provide intensive mentoring, national-level networking, and a structured schedule of academy activities so early-career faculty mature into independent, collaborative investigators. It also aims to position participants to contribute to the field through both their science and participation in the wider research and advocacy community.