The goal of the Robert A. Winn Career Development Award (Winn CDA) is to increase the diversity of patients enrolled in clinical trials, and ultimately to enhance the development of therapeutics for all populations. The program collaborates with communities to facilitate an approach to clinical and translational research that is community-informed, designed, and conducted. It provides emerging investigators the sponsorship, support, and tools they need to conduct clinical trials that will yield new treatments effective in all populations.
Commitment
- To train and develop 290 new clinical investigators dedicated to increasing diversity in clinical trials (~60/year)
- To provide immersive community-based experiences in clinical trial research to 60 underrepresented minority medical students participating in the Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) each summer.
Award
$120K/year for 2 years; requires at least 40% of the scholar’s time (Note: Awards will be given to organizations, not to individuals.)
Guidance for the award
It is expected that the award will cover a percentage of the scholar’s salary to garner 40% of his/her time. Additionally, funds can be used toward a portion of a research assistant/coordinator salary. If funds are used for indirect costs, the amount cannot exceed $10,000 per year.
Mentoring
Each scholar must be mentored by an experienced clinical investigator at an established clinical trial site and participate substantively in the mentor's active clinical trial (it is not expected that scholars will have their own clinical trials).
*Research projects must meet the FDA Clinical Trial Definition - research studies involving human volunteers to evaluate medical products like medications, vaccines, or devices for safety and effectiveness.
*Click here for additional Mentor requirements.
Training
The goal of the Winn CDA is to develop a new generation of clinical trialists. The Community-Oriented Clinical Trialist (COCT) curriculum is designed to develop and train a new generation of first-rate clinical trialists with the additional knowledge, skills, and competencies to effectively engage with communities to foster active community participation in clinical research.
The COCT training will launch with a 4 ½-day intensive educational workshop on clinical trial research methods. The BMS Foundation has partnered with the American Association of Cancer Research (AACR) to develop and deliver the Winn-AACR Design and Implementation of Clinical Trials (DICT) Workshop. This 4 ½-day training, which will introduce Scholars to foundational knowledge in state-of-the-art clinical trial design, development, implementation, and community engagement. Over the course of the 2-yr program, Scholars will participate in a fully elaborated COCT curriculum, which will build and expand upon concepts presented during the Winn-AACR DICT Workshop and will feature a comprehensive approach to presenting community outreach and engagement methods, skills, and strategies.
Please note: This Workshop is a required element of the Winn CDA Program. It will start with an opening ceremony and dinner during the afternoon on Wednesday, November 15 and conclude late evening on Sunday, November 19. Please hold time on your calendar for the Workshop and travel to ensure your attendance.
Please click here for more information about the Winn-AACR Design and Implementation of Clinical Trials Workshop, an essential program element to the Winn CDA.
Robert A. Winn Clinical Investigator Pathway Program (Winn CIPP) Mentoring
Each scholar will serve as a mentor to an URM medical student during the first summer of their program. 290 URM medical students (60/year) will participate in a 6- to 8-week summer immersion program working in community-based clinical research organizations to learn the basics of clinical trials and community outreach, education, and engagement efforts.
Clinical Research Focus Areas
Cancer (Hematology and Oncology), Cardiovascular Disease and Immunologic Disorders
Site Diversity
Scholars may be practicing at urban centers / known clinical trial sites, and rural and/or trial naïve sites.
Annual Convening
An annual in-person event will bring key stakeholder groups together to inspire, educate, amplify and celebrate. Scholars will present their investigator-initiated clinical trial protocols in their second program year.
Helpful Documents
- Application Checklist
- Application Handbook
Apply
