2012 Aflac Young Investigator Award
in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology
Application Deadline: May 1, 2011
COG AYA
Committee
This announcement is for the 8th year of the program. Thus
far, nine Investigatorships have been funded by Aflac to
young investigators in pediatric oncology, medical oncology,
orthopedic surgery, urologic surgery, and social work.
OBJECTIVES: The Aflac Foundation has once again committed financial support to promote
Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) programs in oncology through the Children’s Oncology
Group and the National Childhood Cancer Foundation. Aflac recognizes that few medical
professionals focus on the needs of the AYA patient with cancer, and that there are no established
pathways to train those who are interested in this new subspecialty of oncology.
The Aflac Young Investigator Award in AYA Oncology provides financial support for one or two
years of dedicated training in AYA oncology and the conduct of a research project. The goal is to
help the awardee develop skills in AYA oncology and research in order to help meet the needs of
AYA cancer patients and to promote the developing discipline and its research needs.
TARGET APPLICANTS: The applicant should be a clinical provider who is in a training program
or within 4 years of starting practice in medical, pediatric, radiation, surgical or gynecologic oncology, nursing, social work or psychology who has a goal of an academic career in AYA oncology.
DESCRIPTION OF AWARD: The awardee is expected to commit two years of training in AYA
oncology. The training is to include a research project in AYA oncology. The recipient will be
awarded $30,000 per year for two years, beginning during 2012. The funds will be made to the
sponsoring institution as salary support, for direct research expenses, or for relevant developmental
expenses. Awards are for direct costs only and not for indirect costs or institutional overhead. The
sponsoring institution must permit the recipient to allocate a minimum of 40% effort to training
and research project. If committed to chairing a cooperative group clinical trial, the awardee will
likely be offered an opportunity to participate in the Southwest Oncology Group Young
Investigator Clinical Trials Training Course. The awardee will also have an additional credential
for an application to the AACR-ASCO Workshop: Methods in Clinical Cancer Research.
CROSS-AGE ASSOCIATE/MENTOR: To encourage interdisciplinary interaction between
pediatric and adult oncologic specialties, candidates are expected to identify a colleague in a
‘collateral’ age-group oncologic specialty with whom they can interact on a regular basis and share
research experiences in AYA oncology. For example, a pediatric oncologist formally associates
with an adult medicine oncologist (e.g., medical, surgical, gynecologic or radiation oncology). An
adult oncologist identifies a pediatric oncologist as an associate during the Investigatorship. The
cross-age associate may be a mentor if a mentee-mentor relationship of the associate is appropriate.
APPLICATION: Interested candidates should submit an electronically transmittable application:
 A 5-7 page proposal, including description of:
o Candidate’s background that relates to AYA oncology
o Proposed training that will provide trainee with skills in AYA oncology
o A primary research project in AYA Oncology, including bibliography
o Identification and credentials of the candidate’s primary Mentor for the Aflac
Young Investigator Award
o Identification of a Cross-Age Associate (see above)





One or two page budget and one page budget justification in NIH format
The Candidate’s and the Mentor’s curricula vitae
Letters of support from the Mentor and the Cross-Age Associate (cf. above)
Two (2) letters of recommendation from individuals other than the Mentor who can vouch
for the candidates credentials, potential and training program’s plans
Statement from Candidate’s institutional official that provides:
o Confirmation of Candidate’s academic appointment
o Statement of commitment to provide remaining salary
o Details of resources that will facilitate training in AYA oncology and research,
including any relevant formal courses in research or training programs
DEADLINE: The application must electronically transmittable and emailed by May 1, 2012. The
selection committee will review the applications and announce decisions by June 30, 2012 for a
start date between July 1 and December 31, 2012 per institutional preference.
SELECTION AND REVIEW: Preference will be given to those applicants with previous training
that demonstrates a commitment to this patient population, whose institutions can demonstrate
capacity and commitment for appropriate training, and whose research interests lend themselves to
application to clinical studies in the NCI-Sponsored Cooperative Groups in the future. The
proposal should outline: 1) Training that will enhance clinical skills in the care of adolescent and
young adult patients. This might include, but is not limited to: time in pediatric and medical
oncology practice, endocrine or gynecology practice, adolescent medicine practices, and/or
psychology practices with expertise in this age range. Practical experiences will be favored over
didactic or review experiences. 2) Proposed research, pertinent to the field of AYA oncology, that
will be initiated during the two-year award period. A premium will be placed on creativity and
innovation to establish future guidelines and standards for AYA Oncology training and research.
The Aflac Young Investigator Award in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology provides financial
support for 2 years of dedicated training in AYA oncology and the conduct of a research project.
The goal is to help the awardee develop skills in AYA oncology and research in order to help meet
the needs of AYA cancer patients and to promote the developing discipline and its research needs.
AWARD MANAGEMENT: The funding cycle can start as early June 1, 2012 and will run for a
continuous 24 months. Funds for the second year are contingent upon receipt and approval of an
interim progress report, which is due from the investigator and the mentor ten months after the
start of the first year of funding. A summary progress report will be expected within 3 months after
completion of the Investigator Award. At the end of the two years, the investigator and the
sponsoring institution may retain unused funds, if justified in a written request at least 60 days
prior to the end of the award. Aflac has the right to unilaterally cancel any award for noncompliance or non-performance; the award amount will be prorated for the number of months that
it was in effect. If an investigator changes institutions, the new institution must submit a letter
outlining its commitment and capability to support the training and research for the remaining term
of the award, and the selection committee will have to re-approve the award.
PUBLICATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS: Published or presented material based on research
supported by Aflac Young Investigator Award funds must acknowledge the support of Aflac.
INQUIRIES: Direct inquiries to: Archie Bleyer, MD, via 541-610-4782 or ableyer@gmail.com or
David Freyer, DO, MS, COG AYA Committee Chair via dfreyer@chla.usc.edu.
SUBMISSION: Email completed application materials by May 1, 2012 to ableyer@gmail.com.
2012 Aflac Young Investigator in Adolescent and Young Adult Oncology
Award Application
Cover Page
1. Name:
First
Middle
Last
Degree
2. Institution: ___________________________________________________________
Department: __________________________________________________________
Position: _____________________________________________________________
3. Address: _____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
City
State
Zip Code
Country
4. Telephone: ____-___________
5. Fax:
______-______________
6. Email:
_________________________________________
7. Certification: I certify that to the best of my knowledge, the information contained in
this application is true and that the training and research proposed to be conducted will
take place at the sponsoring institution and comply with its standards.
Applicant Signature: __________________________________ Date:
Mentor Signature:
Date:
Mentor Name and Title:
Cross Age Associate Signature:
Cross Age Associate Name and Title:
Date: