The Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT) offers the Early Clinical Investigator (ECI) Award (RFA R-25.2-ECI) to support promising early-career cancer physicians in Texas in developing clinical research skills and conducting investigator-initiated clinical trials. The award aims to address the decline in clinical cancer investigators by supporting physicians within the first five years of their faculty appointment at the assistant professor level (or equivalent) who have completed relevant oncology-related training. Applications are open from September 18 to December 10, 2024, with awards starting June 1, 2025.

The ECI Award provides up to $1 million over five years, covering salary, training in clinical research, preclinical data development, and clinical trial costs. Awardees are expected to focus at least 50% of their time on career development and research, which includes mentorship and didactic learning in areas like biostatistics, epidemiology, and FDA regulatory policies. Institutions must demonstrate support for the candidate’s career growth, including limits on clinical duties and clear mentorship plans.

Eligible candidates must hold an MD or DO, reside in Texas, and have training in oncology. Applications require institutional nomination, and candidates must propose a clinical research plan, ideally including translational studies. The review criteria emphasize the candidate’s potential, institutional support, mentorship quality, and the proposed clinical research’s relevance to CPRIT's cancer research priorities.

Applications are submitted through CPRIT’s Application Receipt System (CARS) and evaluated in a two-stage review process, prioritizing candidates with high impact potential for reducing cancer burden. Selected projects are monitored annually, with continuation contingent on meeting progress milestones.