Home > Publications > Program Evaluations > New Investigator Report > Introduction

Introduction

The mission of the California Breast Cancer Research Program (CBCRP) is to reduce the impact of breast cancer in California by supporting breast cancer research and facilitating both the dissemination of research findings and their translation into public health practice. The CBCRP was founded in 1993, when breast cancer activists, scientists, clinicians, state legislators, and University of California officials collaborated to lobby the state legislature to seek passage of the California Breast Cancer Act. Sponsored by Assemblywoman Barbara Friedman, this legislation pushed breast cancer research into new creative directions. The act raised the tobacco tax by two cents per pack with 45% of the proceeds going to the CBCRP. Since 1994, the CBCRP has awarded more than $130 million for 519 grants at 63 institutions throughout the state. In 2002, the CBCRP awarded almost $15 million for 68 single and multiple- year grants at 23 California institutions.

The overall objectives, strategies, vision, and research priorities of the CBCRP are set by the Breast Cancer Research Council, an advisory committee to the CBCRP. The council consists of scientists, clinicians, members from nonprofit health organizations, representatives from private industry, and representatives of breast cancer survivor/advocacy groups.

The focus of this evaluation is the New Investigator Award, a career development award that provides support for newly independent investigators who wish to initiate their own breast cancer research programs.¹ Due to the relatively small number of investigators in the field of breast cancer research, the New Investigator Award is designed to attract and retain newly independent investigators in breast cancer research. New investigators are individuals with an M.D. or Ph.D. degree just completing postdoctoral fellowships, or individuals who are entering research careers from clinical practice or other non-research related activities who have less than three years experience as an independent investigator.

To date, the CBCRP has invested $15,290,601 in New Investigator Awards representing 12% of the total dollars it has invested in breast cancer research. This year, the New Investigator Award maximum per grant is $300,000 for up to three years. This study evaluated funding cycles I-V (1995-1999) and marks the first evaluation of the New Investigator Awards since its first funding cycle in 1995.

1 For initial award abstracts and final reports of New Investigator Awards, please see the CBCRP Web site at: http://www.cbcrp.org