Let us know if you are interested.
Regards
Joe
DEPARTMENT OF THE ARMY US ARMY MEDICAL RESEARCH AND MATERIEL COMMAND 1077 PATCHEL STREET FORT DETRICK MD 21702-5024
February 16, 2010
REPLY TO ATTENTION OF
Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs
Dear Advocacy Organization Leader:
We would like to request nominations from your organization for consumer representatives to participate on the Department of Defense breast cancer scientific peer review panels. Currently, we are seeking nominations from breast cancer organizations nationwide, and we hope that yours will participate in this worthwhile endeavor.
A nominee must be endorsed by your organization and must be
- A survivor of breast cancer;
- An active participant in a breast cancer–related organization (support, outreach, advocacy);
- A high school graduate or equivalent;
- Able to read and write English;
- Able to demonstrate an interest in extending their personal scientific knowledge;
- Willing and able to represent the views of their community rather than their personal perspective; and
- Able to access a computer with a connection to the Internet.
Please complete one application form (attachment) for each consumer you are nominating. Nominated individuals will be evaluated based on the extent of their participation in advocacy, commitment to learning about and sharing scientific and medical information, communication skills, participatory skills, and ability to represent their community’s perspective. There is no limit to the number of members you may nominate from your organization; however, it is necessary that each letter sent in support of the candidate demonstrate the individual’s strengths in the above areas.
Complete nomination packets must be received by
March 22, 2010. Submit your application forms and accompanying materials to
Breast Cancer Research Program
Consumer Reviewer Recruitment
ATTN: Carolyn Branson
8490 Progress Drive, Suite 200
Frederick, MD 21701
You may either use the attached nomination form or download the nomination form through our Web site at
http://cdmrp.army.mil/cwg/process.htm. Please note that the address above differs from the published address online. You may submit to either address. We have included a brochure to post (attachment). Please review the attached materials or forward them to the appropriate organization/support group leader as soon as possible. In addition, provide the nominated individuals with the information included in this mailing.
The 2010 Breast Cancer Program
The Breast Cancer Research Program responded to advocates by involving consumers (an individual living with breast cancer) in the review process. Selected consumers bring their community’s perspective, their firsthand experiences, and a sense of urgency to the process of identifying research focused on breast cancer. Consumers underscore the need for good basic and clinical science, improved medical care, enhanced quality of life, and increased survival.
Congress appropriated $150 million in fiscal year 2010 (FY10) for the Breast Cancer Research Program. Proposals submitted for these funds go through a two-tier review process to identify the best research proposals. In the first tier, proposals are reviewed for merit through a process known as peer review. In the second tier, proposals identified as having the greatest merit during peer review are evaluated for programmatic relevance during a process called programmatic review.
We are recruiting consumer reviewers for peer review. Approximately 4 weeks before the peer review meeting, scientists and consumers will be assigned proposals to review. Scientist reviewers are required to develop detailed written comments on each assigned proposal’s feasibility, trial design, impact, etc. Consumer reviewers focus their written reviews on the significance of the proposed work as it relates to improved medical care, enhanced quality of life, and increased survival. Preparation time is estimated to be at least 5 days.
The Peer Review Meeting
Panels are assembled for formal discussions of the proposals, at which time scientists and consumers present their comments orally. Following deliberation, the panel scores each proposal’s merit. For the FY10 Breast Cancer Research Program, the next peer review committee meetings are scheduled for May 12-15, 2010 in the Washington, DC area. Travel, accommodations, meals, and an honorarium of $1,250 will be provided to each consumer reviewer who participates in the full process.
The staff of the CDMRP Breast Cancer Research Program is dedicated to involving consumers. The rapid return of your nomination materials will ensure full consumer participation in this process. For questions about the Breast Cancer Research Program or the recruitment of consumer reviewers, contact Carolyn Branson at 301-360-2150, extension 2056 or
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