Researchers in lab

Early-Career Faculty Scholars

Educational programs and resources are available to help early-career faculty establish independent research programs, receive mentorship and grant development support, and collaborate with community outreach and engagement efforts.
Learn about the educational and training opportunities for early-career faculty scholars.
Zenga Himburg Lab
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American Cancer Society - Institutional Research Grant (ACS-IRG)
Funded by the American Cancer Society as an initiative to increase diversity in cancer research, this award supports the development of exceptional cancer-related research projects from faculty who are in the process of establishing independent cancer research programs. The award provides $40,000 over two years with supplemental funds of $20,000 from the MCW Cancer Center, contingent upon progress in year one.

Learn about the ACS-IRG award
Research & Community Scholars Program
Diverse perspectives can create innovative solutions to complex problems, such as cancer disparities. In this distinctive program, research and community scholars participate in a curriculum focused on cancer disparities, factors influencing disparities, communicating with diverse audiences, understanding different perspectives, and building equitable partnerships. The program is a collaboration with the Community & Cancer Science Network, a statewide community engagement program.

Discover the Research & Community Scholars Program
Grant and Protocol Support

Early-career faculty have access to the Cancer Center’s Research Development Office which provides in-depth assistance with grant proposals and protocol development, including scientific and administrative components, budgeting, and application submission.

For questions, email the Research Development Office.

Investigator-Initiated Trial (IIT) Steering Committee
The Cancer Center provides investigators with training and standardized resources and processes to ensure cancer clinical trials are conducted in a methodologically sound, safe, compliant, expedient, and cost‐effective manner. This includes an IIT Steering Committee that provides support and mentorship to junior faculty to improve the clinical and scientific rigor of a proposed study. At times, the IIT Steering Committee may appoint a smaller IIT Mentorship Subcommittee that meets with an early-career physician over a 3-4 month period to help develop a polished protocol.

Complementary to this support, faculty have access to training modules including an Advanced Qualification Certificate in Human Subjects Protection and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical and Translational Science provided through a partnership with MCW’s Clinical & Translational Science Institute (CTSI).
CTSI Mentored Career Development Program
Offered through MCW’s Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI), this KL2 award provides training for junior faculty working in clinical and translational research to become independent investigators. The curriculum is based on individual needs and articulated goals and objectives, and scholars have 75% protected time to work on a mentored research project and the development of a major grant proposal.

Explore the Mentored Career Development Program