Career Enhancement Program (CEP)

Co-Directors: David Mutch, MD; Doris Benbrook, PhD, University of Oklahoma; and, Carolyn Muller, MD, University of New Mexico

Program Application Information

Proposals for the first cycle of the Route 66 Endometrial Cancer SPORE Career Enhancement Program are being accepted until May 1, 2025, at 5:00 PM CST. Review the SPORE CEP Request For Proposals for more information.

For additional information, please contact Veronica Davé, PhD, SPORE Administrator ([email protected]).

SPORE CEP Overview

The goal of the Career Enhancement Program (CEP) is to recruit and support early career and established investigators in translational endometrial cancer research. The CEP builds upon existing productive collaborations between outstanding researchers with expertise in translational endometrial cancer at Washington University, University of New Mexico, and University of Oklahoma. We will further enhance these collaborations by providing funding support, didactic training, career development and mentoring to new investigators in the field.

Award Details:
• Award amount up to $50,000 in direct costs for one year. Budget requests up to $75,000 will be considered only with a unique scope of work and a strong budget justification.
• Project period: August 1, 2025 – July 31, 2026
• Award may be renewed for another year contingent on adequate progress, availability of funds, and strategic priorities. Maximum award duration is limited to 2 years.
• The number of awards and the award amount may increase or decrease depending on funding available. Amount requested should reflect what is needed to achieve study objectives, not to maximize amount awarded.

Eligibility:
• Early career faculty or established investigators who wish to develop or refocus their careers on translational research in endometrial cancer with emphasis on etiology, prevention, diagnosis, early detection, treatment, endometrial cancer disparities, or population science.
• Senior level post-doctoral or clinical fellows who provide a letter from their Department Chair or Division Director stating that candidate will join its faculty by the time of the award.
• Awardees must be faculty members from one of the partner institutions: Washington University, University of New Mexico, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center.
• Faculty from groups underrepresented in biomedical research and all individuals are encouraged to apply.
• Projects that utilize SPORE or institutional shared resources (Biostatistics and Bioinformatics Core, Biospecimen, Metabolomics, and Pathology Core, Gynecologic Oncology Tissue Bank, etc.) are specifically encouraged.

The CEP will support new investigators, improve our understanding of the spectrum of endometrial cancer, and develop new approaches for early detection, prevention, and treatment of this prevalent cancer. Our ultimate goal is to build a strong inclusive CEP program that mentors investigators to achieve successful careers in translational endometrial cancer research with the skills to develop an independent SPORE project and vibrant research careers.