INTRODUCTION

The New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research (NJCCR), whose members are appointed by the Governor, was established on January 17, 1983, with the passage of the "Cancer Research Act" by the New Jersey State Legislature.

The NJCCR promotes significant and original research in New Jersey into the causes, prevention and treatment of cancer and serves as a resource to providers and consumers of cancer services.

The NJCCR was created to promote significant, original research in New Jersey and to fund talented researchers exploring the causes of cancer.

By means of this promotion and funding, the NJCCR expects to establish the foundations for the kind of cancer research that will place New Jersey at the cutting edge in the fight against cancer.

FELLOWSHIP AWARDS

The purpose of the fellowship awards is to attract and retain talented young scientists who wish to pursue a career in cancer research in New Jersey non-profit research institutions.

The NJCCR funds approved research projects which focus on the genetic, biochemical, viral, microbiological, environmental, behavioral, socioeconomic, demographic and psychosocial aspects of cancer prevention, causes, development, treatment and palliation.  Such research may include studies that relate to fundamental issues of cancer, but these must use biologic systems, tissues, cells, human subjects or other materials that have a direct relationship to cancer.  A relevancy rating will be included as part of the evaluation process for all applications.

RESOURCES AND SUPPORT

The availability of funds for this program is contingent on appropriation to the Cancer Research Fund, established by Chapter 6, PL 1983, Title 52:9U-1, et al, to effectuate the purpose of the NJCCR.  The NJCCR appropriation for FY 2008-9 is $1 million. A portion of sales of the Conquer Cancer License Plate is also directed to the Cancer Research Fund.  In addition, the NJCCR may accept gifts, grants and bequests of funds from individuals, foundations, corporations, government agencies and other organizations.

REVIEW PROCESS

All proposals are reviewed by a panel of scientific experts who are appointed by the NJCCR.  The panel evaluates candidates on academic qualifications, scientific merit of the proposed research project, the qualifications of the candidate's mentor, the adequacy of facilities, institutional support and the relevance of the work to the causes of cancer or methods of clinical treatment.

Cancer advocates/patient consumers are included as members of all NJCCR review panels. It is expected that the advocate’s role would be to help evaluate the relevancy of applications to cancer as described in paragraph 1.  Therefore, serious consideration should be given to the lay abstract and relevancy section of proposals.  The reviews and recommendations of the scientific panel are provided to the Commissioners who make the final decision on all awards.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS

The following outline describes the policies, which govern research awards made by the NJCCR.

Application forms may be obtained by logging on to our web site at http://www.state.nj.us/health/ccr, e-mailing njccr@doh.state.nj.us, or writing to:

Executive Director
New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research
3635 Quakerbridge Road
PO Box 369
Trenton, NJ 08625-0369

Applications must be received in NJCCR offices no later than 4:00 p.m. on deadline date.  Late applications will not be accepted.

Letters of recommendation may be forwarded after the application deadline.  However, it is the responsibility of the candidate to make sure recommendations and transcripts arrive at the NJCCR Offices no later than February 1, 2008. Late documents will not be accepted.

Students must begin study in the Fall semester following activation unless special permission is received prior to the activation date.

ELIGIBILITY

PRE-DOCTORAL

• Applicants must be United States citizens or have permanent residency status.
• New Jersey residents who meet other qualification standards will have priority. (Proof of residency, including New Jersey driver’s license, voter registration card or other acceptable evidence, may be required).
• Applicants must be full time graduate students in residence in a proposed course of study directly related to cancer.
• The NJCCR prefers to support predoctoral candidates who have almost completed course work and are concentrating on research projects at least 80% of their time.  Teaching and other non-research responsibilities should not exceed 20% of time without permission from the NJCCR.

POST-DOCTORAL

• Candidates of outstanding quality must hold a Ph.D., M.D., Dr. P.H., D.O. or equivalent graduate degree.
• Appropriate degrees must be awarded prior to activation of award.
• Candidate must be accepted for postdoctoral training under the supervision of an appropriate mentor at a non-profit research institution in New Jersey.
• The NJCCR reserves the right to limit the number of fellowships awarded under the supervision of an individual mentor.
• Very senior postdoctoral fellows or candidates pursing second training fellowships will not be supported under this award.

FUNDING OF AWARDS

PRE-DOCTORAL

A stipend of $22,500 per annum will be awarded. The New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research considers the cost of tuition to be the responsibility of the academic institution.  Institutions who accept New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research fellowships must provide tuition remission for the awardee.

POST-DOCTORAL

• Due to budget reductions, only two years support will be available to postdoctoral candidates.
• NJCCR postdoctoral fellowship stipends are $35,000 (Year 1) and $37,000 (Year 2).
• Institutions may supplement stipends but not with other full time fellowship awards or other New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research monies.
• Indirect costs are not allowed in this program.
• NJCCR fellows should be aware that tax reform includes stipends and other portions of fellowships as taxable income.

TERMS

Predoctoral and postdoctoral fellowships may run for one, or two academic years. Multi-year awards must be renewed annually under the following conditions.

• A detailed progress report is to be completed by the fellow no later than 30 days prior to the end of the fellowship year.
• Satisfactory performance report and recommendation by the mentor is due 30 days prior to the end of the fellowship year.
• Final progress report is due 90 days after the completion of the award.
• Fellowships must be activated no later than 3 months after awarded.  The NJCCR office must be notified in writing of exact activation date if it differs from award document.
• Brief leaves of absence (1 year or less) may be approved by the New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research if extenuating circumstances exist and the success of the work will not be seriously diminished. However, in accordance with the continuous attendance requirement, the NJCCR requires documented personal or educational reasons.
• Sponsor is responsible for reporting career path and research track of fellow for 5 years after award.
• Participation in the “Annual Retreat on Cancer Research in New Jersey” at least once during the fellowship period is required.
  

CANCELLATION

The New Jersey Commission on Cancer Research must be notified at least 30 days prior to cancellation of award due to withdrawal of fellow or mentor. A transfer of fellowship to another qualified lab will only be considered under special circumstances.

PAYMENTS

A lump sum payment for one full year will be made in advance to the institution in the student's name.  Payments may be withheld if financial or progress reports are outstanding.

FINANCIAL REPORTS AND RECORDS

Individual accounts must be established for each fellow.  Accurate records, including documentation of all transactions must be maintained.  Financial reports on the forms provided by the NJCCR must be submitted at the end of each 6 month period.  All financial reports must have the signature of the financial officer of the institution.  The NJCCR or its designated representative reserves the right to audit accounts at any time.

Over expenditures, commitments not paid within 60 days of termination, or expenditures made prior to the activation date are not the responsibility of the NJCCR.

A final report, together with a refund of any unexpended funds, must be made within 90 days of termination date.  This report should be reviewed and signed by the principal investigator and the financial officer of the institution.  All records must be retained for 3 years from the date of the final financial report.  In the case of an audit or litigation, this period may be extended until the completion of said action.

STUDENT'S RESPONSIBILITIES

A lay abstract is required as part of the application process.  The abstract must be clear, simple and understandable by the public.

All NJCCR awardees are required to participate at least once during the fellowship period in an approved NJCCR sponsored scientific program.  NJCCR fellows are expected to serve as spokespersons on the importance of cancer research to New Jersey.  Award recipients may be called upon for public speaking, presentations at scientific meetings, and interaction with the media and government officials.  Please note, all applications may be subject to the Open Public Records Act.  Acceptance of this award presumes an understanding of, and agreement with, these responsibilities.

The NJCCR requires the fellows who have completed the awards provide follow-up information annually for 3 years following completion of awards.

PUBLICATIONS AND PATENTS

Publications resulting from research supported by the NJCCR should contain an acknowledgment such as:  "Assisted by fellowship # ... from the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research."

Grantees should provide 3 reprints of any such articles to the Executive Director of the NJCCR.

PROTECTION OF HUMAN SUBJECTS, ANIMAL WELFARE, AND RECOMBINANT DNA

Compliance with US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) regulations for the protection of human subjects, animal welfare, recombinant DNA, and inclusion of women and minorities in clinical research is required for all NJCCR grants.

COMPLIANCE WITH EXISTING LAW

The applicant and the sponsoring institution agree to assure that all activities in the performance of this fellowship are in compliance with state, federal, or municipal laws.  Failure to comply with such laws is grounds for termination of the grant.

OPEN PUBLIC RECORDS ACT

All Grants will be subject to the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (P.L. 2001, CHAPTER 404 N.J.S. 47:1A-1 et seq.)

• “government records shall be readily accessible for inspection, copying, or examination by the citizens of this State, with certain exceptions, for the protection of the public interest, and any limitations on the right of access accorded by P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) as amended and supplemented, shall be construed in favor of the public's right of access;”
• “all government records shall be subject to public access unless exempt from such access by: P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.) as amended and supplemented; any other statute; resolution of either or both houses of the Legislature; regulation promulgated under the authority of any statute or Executive Order of the Governor; Executive Order of the Governor; Rules of Court; any federal law, federal regulation, or federal order;”
• “a public agency has a responsibility and an obligation to safeguard from public access a citizen's personal information with which it has been entrusted when disclosure thereof would violate the citizen's reasonable expectation of privacy; and nothing contained in P.L.1963, c.73 (C.47:1A-1 et seq.), as amended and supplemented, shall be construed as affecting in any way the common law right of access to any record, including but not limited to criminal investigatory records of a law enforcement agency.”
• “When federal law or regulation requires the submission of biotechnology trade secrets and related confidential information, a public agency shall not have access to this information except as allowed by federal law.”
• “A public agency shall not make any biotechnology trade secrets and related confidential information it has access to under this act available to any other public agency, or to the general public, except as allowed pursuant to federal law.”

In accordance with these rules the NJCCR discourages the submission of information considered proprietary unless it is essential for proper evaluation of the application. The NJCCR would like to assure all applicants that any proprietary information will be used or disclosed only for evaluation of the application. 

However, if the application does contain proprietary information it should be identified as such on the top of each page that contains the information (see the fellowship application first page).

INDEMNIFICATION

The application and the sponsoring institution are solely responsible to keep, save, and hold the State of New Jersey and the New Jersey State Commission on Cancer Research harmless of all claims, losses, liabilities, expenses or damages.

COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS

Funding Authorization Number 46.99448.

Terms and conditions for Administration of Health Services Grant (copy available from NJCCR offices upon request).

Applicable Cost Principles - State and Local Governments, Non-Profit Agencies, Hospitals and Educational Institutions - (copy available from NJCCR offices upon request).

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