Introduction

The Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey is a matrix style, basic, clinical and population research center as well as a consortium cancer center with Princeton University, leveraging the science of the state's cancer researchers through collaboration.

Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey membership is potentially available to any faculty of the consortium institutions.  Members must have a predominant and productive interest in cancer and/or related disciplines and the ability and willingness to contribute to the Cancer Institute.  Application for membership is voluntary and also connotes agreement by the applicant with Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey’s membership obligations and basic objectives.

Based on current research strengths and direction, members are programmatically aligned into at least one of the following five established research programs:

Cancer Metabolism and Growth
Genomic Instability and Cancer Genetics
Cancer Pharmacology
Clinical Investigations and Precision Therapeutics
Cancer Prevention and Control
 

A limited number of applicants whose interests are outside the scope of the established research programs may be categorized as Non-Programmatically Aligned.

Privileges & Benefits of Membership

Potential benefits of membership may include one or more of the following:

·       eligibility for subsidized use of Cancer Institute of New Jersey supported Shared Resources (http://www.cinj.org/research/shared_resources.html)

·       eligibility for priority access to Shared Resources

·       eligibility for Cancer Institute of New Jersey research funding

·       eligibility for allocation of Cancer Institute of New Jersey space

·       input into the selection of scientific speakers featured in the Distinguished Lecture Series

·       receipt of Cancer Institute of New Jersey calendar of events, newsletters, program and seminar announcements, etc.

·       opportunities for collaboration with other members

·       inclusion on Cancer Institute of New Jersey website

Membership Category and Type

Category

There are four categories of membership.  Full and Associate I members are eligible for Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) support and are included in CCSG reports to the National Cancer Institute.

Full - PI of active, cancer-focused, peer-reviewed funded research project(s)

Associate I - PI of cancer-focused research that is integral to a Cancer Institute of New Jersey established Research Program but not currently funded by a peer-reviewed mechanism (e.g., PI on Investigator-Initiated clinical trial)

Associate II - Investigators with interest in conducting cancer related research who may be better positioned to achieve peer-reviewed funding for cancer focused projects by close association with a Cancer Institute of New Jersey established Research Program

Advisory - Faculty who are not actively involved in cancer research but serve in an academic advisory capacity or frequently collaborate with CINJ on selected initiatives

Affiliation Type

Resident - primary academic appointment at Rutgers and resident at the Cancer Institute                                              

Matrix - primary academic appointment at Rutgers and not resident at the Cancer Institute

Consortium - primary academic appointment at Princeton University (consortium partner)

Collaborating - appointment at other academic institutions or industry

CCSG Support Eligibility                  

   * exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Director with recommendations from the Research Leadership Council.

Membership Committee

A subcommittee of the Research Leadership Council serves as the Membership Committee.  The Membership Committee is comprised of the following:

• Deputy Director (Chair, Membership Committee)
• Associate Director, Basic Research
• Associate Director, Clinical Research
• Associate Director, Translational Research
• Associate Director, Cancer Prevention, Control, and Population Research
• Associate Director, Administration & Planning

The Membership Committee and the respective Program Leaders screen all applications for membership.  Recommendation of membership type, category and programmatic alignment are made to the Center Director. The Membership Committee may call for ad hoc assistance as needed.  This committee may also recommend changes to membership policies and procedures.

Membership Application and Review

A.    Initial Application and Review

Applicants for membership are nominated by either a Cancer Institute Senior Leader, established Research Program Leader, Shared Resource Director, other center member, or self-nominated*.

* Self-nominated applicants will be referred to an appropriate Program Leader who will decide whether or not to support the applicant.

All applicants must submit a completed membership application. Upon receipt of completed application, applicant information is entered into the Cancer Institute of New Jersey Membership Database and marked as pending and the application is prepared for screening by the Membership Committee and appropriate Program Leader(s).

Applications will be discussed at a SResearch Leadership Council monthly meeting.  The discussions will be led by the respective Program leader(s). If the Membership Committee or any Program Leader feels that insufficient information is available to make a decision, the application is tabled, and the applicant is asked to provide appropriate additional information. Once application review has been completed the Research Leadership Council will either recommend approval of membership category, type, and programmatic alignment, or disapprove application for membership. The Center Director has final authority over membership approvals and denials.

Review Criteria for Initial Membership Application:

1.     significant laboratory, clinical, or population-based research interest in cancer

2.     principal investigator of active nationally peer-reviewed research funding

3.     publications on cancer-related subjects in high impact peer reviewed journals

4.     eagerness for active collaboration with other members of the Cancer Institute

5.     willingness to participate in Cancer Institute of New Jersey activities and committees

6.     service on a Cancer Institute of New Jersey advisory board or service as a frequent ad hoc advisor to the Center’s senior leadership

It is not mandatory for acceptance of initial membership application to meet all criteria; reasonable criteria are based on the nature of the application and determined by the Membership Committee and respective Program Leaders.

B.    Continuing Review

Continuation of membership is based on an annual review of the member's activities. Reviews are conducted before each CCSG non-competing renewal application deadline by the respective Program Leaders. The Center Director has final authority over all changes in membership category, type and program alignment.

Review Criteria for Continued Membership:

1.     participation in a Cancer Institute of New Jersey established research program(s)

2.     principal investigator of active nationally peer-reviewed research funding

3.     active collaboration with other Cancer Institute members

4.     service on Cancer Institute of New Jersey committees

5.     participation in Cancer Institute of New Jersey educational activities

6.     abstract presentation at Cancer Institute of New Jersey Annual Scientific Retreat

7.     research presentation to the Scientific Executive Committee, Translational Research Meeting, etc.

8.     initiation of clinical research protocols

9.     ad hoc advisory or academic assistance

It is not mandatory for continuation of membership to meet all criteria; reasonable criteria are determined by the Membership Committee and the respective Program Leaders.  The decision to maintain or change membership category, type, or program alignment will depend upon which criteria are met.