Novartis Oncology is calling on young clinical investigators with an interest in translational, fundamental or clinical kidney cancer research to enter the 2012 Promising Renal Investigators Meeting (PRIMe) Awards and stand a chance to be awarded a €10,000 research grant.

These prestigious annual awards recognise the innovative programmes and research initiatives that are advancing science in kidney cancer, and aim to recognise those rising stars in the field of oncology across the United Kingdom and France.

The grant, worth €10,000, will be issued following a review of project entries by an independent jury of highly respected international experts including Mr. Michael Aitchison, Prof. Tim Eisen, Dr. Bernard Escudier, Dr. Paul Nathan, Prof. Sylvie Negrier, and Prof. Jean-Jacques Patard.

Professor Tim Eisen, Professor of Medical Oncology at the University of Cambridge and part of the judging panel added; “This is a unique career opportunity for a specialist working within this important area of clinical research and we strongly urge clinical investigators with an interest in translational, fundamental or clinical kidney cancer research to apply. The innovation, vision, and commitment displayed by previous year's entrants and prize winners has been very encouraging and promises to drive continued excellence in this field.”

Entries for the 2012 PRIMe Awards close on the 10th of October. The jury will select the shortlist (four representatives from France and four representatives from the UK) by mid October.

All those shortlisted will be invited to present their work and take part in a meeting to be held in Paris on 6-7 December, where the overall winner in each country will be announced.

The two-day meeting aims to help improve candidates’ medical writing, critical review, statistical analysis, and oral communications skills, as well as give them the chance to meet with and be mentored by some of the most recognised European experts within kidney cancer.

Dr Chiara Margiotta, based between the School of Cancer Science of the University of Birmingham and the Cancer Centre of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham, was the UK recipient of the 2011 grant.

Commenting on her win, Dr Margiotta said “I was truly honoured to have won this award and participate in the PRIMe awards. The event itself gave me a fantastic opportunity to network and the grant has allowed me to continue my laboratory work. I would urge my fellow researchers to enter the awards and use this opportunity to highlight their work and gain the recognition and support we all deserve”.

Source: Novartis Oncology