# Career Enhancement Program

> **NIH NIH P50** · MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER · 2022 · $73,772

## Abstract

ABSTRACT – CAREER ENHANCEMENT PROGRAM (CEP)
The purpose of the Mayo Clinic SPORE in Ovarian Cancer is to stimulate, organize and facilitate rigorous
translational research that will meaningfully reduce the burden of ovarian cancer. A critical part of this process
is to increase the quality and depth of the translational investigator base in ovarian cancer. During Years 6-10
of funding, five individuals received Career Enhancement Program (CEP) awards and were supported with 1-2
years of funding (one awardee with 2 years of funding; four with 1 year of funding), mentoring teams, and full
access to SPORE resources. Our awardees have been highly successful, with 39 peer-reviewed manuscripts
published by Year 6-10 awardees and 3 have successfully secured subsequent funding. All five Year 6-10
awardees relied upon the Biostatisics and Bioinformatics Core (Core C), four awardees also partnered with the
Biospecimens and Patient Registry (Core B), and three with the Animal Models Core (Core D). The ultimate
objectives of the Career Enhancement Program (CEP) continue to be the identification and mentoring of new
and developing investigators in ovarian cancer who demonstrate clear potential to become independent
translational researchers as well as attracting established scientists who wish to refocus on ovarian cancer.
The CEP provides up to $100,000 for one year of support ($50,000 from SPORE funds and a matching
$50,000 from Mayo Clinic Cancer Center); a second year is possible based on progress and continued
translational trajectory. Special emphasis is placed on attracting highly qualified individuals underrepresented
in medicine, including women, minorities, and persons with disabilities. Identifying and selecting CEP
awardees is accomplished through a rigorous review process, followed by intense mentoring, integration into
ongoing SPORE activities and close oversight of each individual’s progress. In addition to a primary mentor,
awardees have complementary mentors in clinical, basic or population sciences necessary to ensure
development of a translational research career. This capitalizes on numerous strengths present within the
Mayo environment. The CEP directorship reports to the Executive Committee of the Mayo Clinic Ovarian
Cancer SPORE. During the next funding period, the Ovarian SPORE CEP will continue to maintain: (1) A
stringent candidate selection system; (2) comprehensive trainee guidance by a primary mentor; (3) support
through a scientific mentoring group (each awardee’s Individual Trainee Mentorship Committee) comprised of
investigators with expertise in each awardee‘s area of interest; and (4) full integration into the SPORE,
including access to all scientific Cores. Mayo Clinic provides an exceptional environment for developing
careers in translational research in ovarian cancer. The CEP allows us to identify, mentor, and support young
investigators who will become future leaders in ovarian cancer research.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10452725
- **Project number:** 5P50CA136393-12
- **Recipient organization:** MAYO CLINIC ROCHESTER
- **Principal Investigator:** Fergus Joseph Couch
- **Activity code:** P50 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2022
- **Award amount:** $73,772
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2009-07-01 → 2026-08-30

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10452725

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10452725, Career Enhancement Program (5P50CA136393-12). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-25 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10452725. Licensed CC0.

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