The Innovation Award by FIGHT KIDS CANCER & St. Baldrick’s Foundation is to be made for innovative and impactful research. The nomination and review process is to be administered by the St. Baldrick’s Foundation, funded and awarded by FIGHT KIDS CANCER.
Timeline:
• Nominations open November 4, 2024
• Nominations due by December 13, 2024 by 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) – United Sates / 11 p.m. Central European Time (CET)
• Nominees for consideration chosen and invited to file an Application by January 10, 2025
• Applications due by February 28, 2025 by 5 p.m. Eastern Time (ET) – United Sates / 11 p.m. Central European Time (CET)
• Grantee notified by April 25, 2025
• Award announced at SIOPE / CCI-Europe annual conference in Budapest, Hungary on May 14, 2025 (Grantee must be present)
Note: This Innovation Award cannot be applied for; only Nominations are accepted.
While this Innovation Award is unique and focuses on innovation with freedom from the constraints of normal grant mechanisms, the following guidelines apply.
ABOUT FIGHT KIDS CANCER
For the Innovation Award, FIGHT KIDS CANCER includes four European philanthropic organisations that actively support research on paediatric cancers and decided to join forces and establish the FIGHT KIDS CANCER (FKC) research programme. These organisations are: • KickCancer (Belgium) • Imagine for Margo (France) • Fondatioun Kriibskrank Kanner (Luxemburg)
• CRIS Cancer Foundation (Spain).
FKC aims to address the lack of research dedicated to paediatric cancers by sustainably providing support to the best European research. FIGHT KIDS CANCER aims to catalyse and support pan-European leading-edge research initiatives in paediatric cancer to develop innovative approaches to improve the outcome for all children and adolescents with cancer. The FKC Programme is operated by the European Science Foundation. For more information, please visit https://fightkidscancer.eu/
ABOUT THE ST. BALDRICK’S FOUNDATION
The St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer and donor powered charity committed to supporting the most promising research to find cures for childhood cancers and give survivors long and healthy lives. For more information, please visit StBaldricks.org. You can also search current and past grants at StBaldricks.org/grants.
Innovation Award Overview:
• Award is €250,000 a year for 4 years (€1 million in total) to support innovative childhood cancer research.
• Award to be presented at the SIOPE / CCI-Europe annual conference in Budapest, in May 2025
• One to two Innovation Awards to researchers working in an institution based in one of these countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom.
• There is no citizenship requirement.
This Innovation Award is inspired by our common values, which include:
• Thinking outside the box – risk-taking – true innovation
• Collaboration – including international participation.
• Development of early- to mid-career scientists
NOMINEE CRITERIA: Each Nominee must…
• Be nominated for this Innovation Award; there is no Letter of Intent/Expression of Interest and researchers may not apply directly.
• Hold an M.D., a Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree(s).
• Be within 10 years of their first academic appointment as of Jan. 1, 2025. Up to one additional year will be allowed for time off for medical reasons or the birth or adoption of a child.
• Be nominated by a member of ASPHO, COG, SIOP, SIOPe or ITCC (no self-nominees).
• Be available to attend the SIOPE / CCI-Europe annual conference in Budapest, Hungary on May 14th, 2025 (Grantee must be present)
• Work in a research environment with mentoring and support conducive of continued academic success and innovation.
• Have presented, published, or received funding for highly innovative research with the potential to lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate important advances in our understanding of childhood cancer.
• Have demonstrated participation in team science, in addition to success in innovative discovery.
NOMINATION PROCESS:
Submit the following by email to Grants@StBaldricks.org, subject line: “FKC SBF Arceci Award Nomination.”
1. Nomination:
ASPHO, COG, SIOP, SIOPe or ITCC members making Nominations will submit:
a. a 2-page nomination letter, to include information about the Nominee’s research environment.
b. the Nominee’s NIH, Europass CV or similar format biosketch
2. Application Requirements:
If the Nomination is accepted, the Selection Committee will request from candidates selected for further consideration an Application which shall include:
a. A complete curriculum vitae, including prior/current grant funding.
b. A 2-3-page summary of the Applicant’s track record of innovation, contributions to science, and what important research questions he or she feels need to be answered (This is not a proposal or grant application)
c. One letter of support from the chief academic officer of the investigator’s institution
d. Two letters of support from scientists familiar with the Applicant’s work
e. A commitment to be available to present their work at the SIOPE / CCI-Europe annual conference in Budapest on May 14, 2025
By submitting a nomination in the framework of these Guidelines, you consent and warrant that the nominee consents, to the processing of the data and information provided for the purposes of the Nomination and Selection process.
REVIEW AND SELECTION PROCESS
Judging Criteria:
• Innovation
• Quality of the science
• Potential for clinical impact
Each Application is scientifically reviewed by qualified paediatric oncology research experts. Recommendations for funding are made to FIGHT KIDS CANCER, which makes the final decisions.
Applicants who have been selected for funding (as Grantees) will be notified as soon as possible. Funding status shall be relayed through email or by phone. All rankings and evaluations are considered confidential.
Any questions about the nomination, application, or review and selection process should be addressed in writing to:
Laura Chung, MPH
Director of Grants Administration
St. Baldrick’s Foundation
grants@stbaldricks.org
Any questions about post award management should be addressed in writing to:
Eve Lemercier
Fight Kids Cancer Project Manager
eve@fightkidscancer.eu
