The NCI Worta McCaskill-Stevens Career Development Award for Community Oncology and Prevention Research (K12), administered by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), a part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is a funding opportunity aimed at fostering the development of clinical scientists in the field of community cancer prevention, screening, intervention, control, and treatment. This program emphasizes health equity by focusing on the recruitment and retention of minority health populations and populations with health disparities in clinical cancer trials. It supports scholars who aim to lead or engage with community-based clinical trials, develop ancillary studies, or enhance integration of health disparity questions in ongoing trials.

The K12 program honors the legacy of Dr. Worta McCaskill-Stevens, a prominent oncologist who led community-based clinical oncology efforts at NCI and championed equitable access to clinical trials. Through this program, institutions are encouraged to propose transdisciplinary, innovative training curricula that align with emerging technologies and research methodologies, while incorporating strong mentorship and individualized development plans. Each scholar will work with two mentors, typically one conducting patient-oriented cancer health disparities research and another in cancer care delivery with a focus on underserved populations.

This funding mechanism is structured to allow for new, renewal, and resubmission applications, and may or may not include clinical trials. Direct costs are capped at $50,000 in the first year for planning and recruitment, escalating to $750,000 annually in subsequent years for scholar support. Each scholar may receive up to $110,000 annually for salary and up to $30,000 for research and career development expenses. Scholars are typically appointed for up to two years, with potential for a third year based on performance.

Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based entities such as public and private higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, tribal governments, and certain local and federal government bodies. Institutions must demonstrate a robust research environment and a commitment to community oncology and prevention. Foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, though U.S.-based applicants may involve foreign components.

Applications must adhere to NIH's standard submission and registration protocols, including use of systems such as eRA Commons, SAM.gov, and Grants.gov. The first submission date for new applications is June 18, 2024, with recurring deadlines on a semi-annual basis until February 18, 2027. All applications must comply with NIH training instructions, with content specifically tailored to this NOFO’s focus on scholar-based career development.

Applications will be reviewed on multiple criteria, including program structure, mentor and scholar quality, innovation, and institutional support. Particular attention is paid to the potential impact on health disparities and training rigor. Applications undergo a peer-review process followed by advisory council review, and awards are contingent on scientific merit, relevance to NIH goals, and availability of funds.