Patient Advocate in Cancer Research Champion Award

Introduction

An advocate is someone who supports or defends a cause. In the cancer research community, a cancer advocate provides a voice for cancer patients, working in partnership with researchers to support and input into the cancer research agenda specifically. The Irish Cancer Society recognises the instrumental role that cancer advocates have in ensuring public and patient involvement (PPI) in cancer research to ultimately help improve the lives of those affected by cancer. The Society also recognises that knowledge and making connections in the cancer world is key to the role of the cancer research advocate, for example, through attendance at cancer research events, undertaking training or attending workshops. However, practically, involvement in PPI activities or in training and networking events is not always possible due to lack of funding available for cancer research advocates.

In recognition of the lack of funding available to support cancer research advocates and as part of our commitment to develop a community of PPI in cancer research champions, the Irish Cancer Society has launched the Patient Advocate in Cancer Research Champion Award 2022. The award will provide funding to support cancer advocates in championing cancer research on a national or international level.

You do not need to be a member of the Irish Cancer Society PPI Panel to apply for this award. This call is open to all cancer research advocates in Ireland.

Funding is available to cover the costs associated with advocating for cancer research specifically. This may include:

• Registration costs for a relevant conference, workshop, course or training activity (online, hybrid or in person)
• Travel costs
• Childcare costs to cover time required for PPI activities
• Loss of earnings due to time commitments required to be a PPI contributor
• Accommodation costs
• Subsistence
• Materials to participate in PPI activities (e.g. Microsoft office subscription, a webcam etc.)

For more detailed information on costs that may be covered please see section 2.2 of the applicant guidelines.

Funding

Funding up to a maximum of €1,000 is available per award. Funding is to support registration, travel, accommodation, childcare, loss of earnings, materials and subsidence costs. The event(s) or activities must be between June 2022 and June 2023.

How to apply

Applications must be completed and submitted through the Irish Cancer Society Gateway Grant Tracker online system. In order to submit an online application, you are required to register at the following address: https://grants.cancer.ie

Please note if you would prefer to be sent an application form to complete the application offline please contact grants@irishcancer.ie at least 2 weeks ahead of the closing date.

Deadline for applications: 3.00pm, Thursday 1st September 2022

Key dates

Round B

Please note: that the above dates are provisional subject to change at the discretion of the Irish Cancer Society.