Student Cancer Research Grants

I.    PURPOSE

A long time leader in local cancer research, the Cancer Association of Greater New Orleans (CAGNO) strives to inspire and foster innovations in the field of cancer research by providing promising students in the local medical community with research stipends.

II.    OBJECTIVES

    1. To stimulate interest in cancer research among students
    2. To provide students with the opportunity to participate directly in an in-depth study of a scientific problem of particular interest to the student
    3. To encourage the exploration of medical ideas and principles
    4. To provide students with the opportunity to become familiar with research techniques and the scientific process (including defining a problem, evaluating its significance, designing experiments for solutions, and interpreting data)

The student’s research project will be completed with the supervision of a faculty sponsor and will commensurate with the student’s experience and with the time and facilities that are made available to him or her. After completing the study, students who wish to pursue and develop their research projects into broader investigations are then eligible for further support from CAGNO through our basic research grants.

* ONLY PROJECTS RELATED TO CANCER RESEARCH WILL BE CONSIDERED *

III.    ELIGIBILITY

Medical, dental, science and health professional graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in colleges and universities in the Greater New Orleans area are eligible to apply.

IV.    SPONSORSHIP

The student must have a faculty sponsor who agrees to work with the student and provide the student with the training, supervision, guidance and laboratory space and equipment necessary for the project. Research work may be completed during the summer session (June, July, and August) or during the school year.

V.    APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

        A.    Provide a brief outline of the planned project, being sure to include the following:

    1. Short description of the problem the student would like to investigate further. Be sure to include a brief statement covering the student’s conception of the current state of knowledge in that particular area.
    2. Brief description of the general plan of work, including any literature references. The Committee’s judgement of the merit of the application will greatly depend on the adequacy and clarity of the short summary.
    3. Briefly describe the relationship of the proposed work to cancer.
    4. Indicate proposed time period for carrying out this study.

        B.    CURRICULUM: The completed application must also include a brief curriculum vitae (CV).

        C.    FACULTY SPONSOR’S LETTER

                Applications must include a letter of support from the student’s faculty sponsor. The letter should provide general information about the student and outline the student’s qualifications. BUT the letter should not delve into the nature of the proposed project.

        D.    MULTIPLE COPIES REQUIRED

                Each applicant must submit the original proposal (including outline, CV and sponsor letters) along with 20 copies of everything. No faxed applications will be accepted for consideration.

        E.    MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS ON SAME TYPES OF PROJECTS

               The Committee does not look favorably on two applications for the same project.

        F.    DEADLINE: Please call CAGNO at 733-5539 for current deadline.

VI.    EVALUATION

Grants will be reviewed by the CAGNO Research Advisory Committee, which comprises of doctors and other medical professionals representing all participating institutions. Proposals will be evaluated on the following criteria:

VII.    AWARD STIPEND

The students who submitted the chosen proposals will each receive a $1,500 grant. The stipend will be given in the form of a single grant to the respective institutions attended by each student.

Please include contact information of person in charge of finances for the institution and the student.

VIII.    REQUIRED REPORT

One month following the termination of the research study, the student must send 2 copies of a brief report summarizing work accomplished.

IX.    QUESTIONS

Contact CAGNO at (504) 733-5539.