The MRS Advocate Researcher Program (MetARP)
The MRS Advocate Researcher Program (MetARP)
Hosted by the Metastasis Research Society (MRS) and Theresa’s Research Foundation with funding from BCRF
Goal of the program: Build bidirectional relationships between researchers and advocates.
Participant selection:
Metastatic cancer patient advocates with research advocacy experience are encouraged to apply (previous research advocacy experience is preferred but not required).
Cancer researcher applicants should focus on metastatic cancer research. Previous experience in working with advocates is preferred but not required. Preference will be made to junior investigators including PhD students, post docs, and junior faculty.
Participants will be selected in a way that balances the cohort with respect to expertise, background, experience with cancer, and goals.
We will select research advocates and research scientists to serve as the inaugural MetARP class.
Expectations of those selected:
All MetARP participants will attend MRS in person in London.
Before attending the conference, we will ask that you fill out a survey. Additionally, there will be a virtual advocate training session before the conference that you will be required to attend. During the conference, we will host a meal that will be mandatory for MetARP participants to attend.
Throughout the conference, there will be opportunities to touch base with your MetARP partner, including walking through the poster session and spending time together at lunch.
After the conference is over, each pair will work together to write a blog post – this can be about your experience at the conference, the researcher’s project, or the advocate’s experience with cancer – and should be written from both of you. Blog posts will be due one month after the end of the conference (August 1) so we can post on the Theresa’s website.
You will be encouraged to continue working with your partner. We will follow up with another survey ~6 months after the conference.
Benefits of being selected for MetARP:
Travel expenses (up to $1,500) covered for all MetARP advocates and researchers
Special flag added to your badge demonstrating you are part of MetARP
Highlights on the Theresa’s website about you/your partnership
Blog post created between the research scientist and research advocate
Introduction to a partnership that we hope will continue to improve cancer research!
To apply submit the following two documents to josh@theresasresearch.org by April 15, 2024:
(Please include your CV/Resume in one document and answers to the writing prompts in a second document)
Advocates
CV or Resume
A paragraph about your experience with you/ your loved one having metastatic cancer (max 150 words)
If applicable, your experience advocating for research for metastatic cancer (max 300 words)
A paragraph explaining what you hope to gain from participating in MetARP (max 300 words)
Researchers
CV
A paragraph about your research focus in lay terms (max 300 words)
If applicable, your experience working with patient advocates (max 300 words)
A paragraph explaining what you hope to gain from participating in MetARP (max 300 words)
We will notify you about acceptance into the program by April 30.
