University of Colorado Cancer Center Membership Bylaws

Section 1. Eligibility

University of Colorado Cancer Center membership shall be open to individuals in the Rocky Mountain region who have a demonstrated interest in cancer-related research and/or cancer-related clinical activities.

Section 2. Application Process

Membership applications will be endorsed by the Program Leader, reviewed by the Membership Committee and forwarded to the UUCCC Associate Directors for final approval. The membership application will consist of the Membership Application and a current full CV. In addition, the applicant should include a Statement of Cancer Research Interest. The statement should contain sufficient detail to allow the reviewers to understand the rationale for the applicant’s request and provide a fair evaluation. For example, the applicant should specify:

  • what types of cancer are impacted by his or her research or clinical activities
  • whether the research has translational potential
  • names of other UCCC members with whom he or she collaborates or intends to establish collaborations
  • shared core resources that he or she intends to use, and the purpose for such use (specifically as it applies to the applicant’s cancer research program).

It is essential that the statement of cancer research interest address the following three points:

  • How is the applicant involved in cancer research (basic or clinical)?
  • How will the applicant contribute to the mission of the UCCC ?
  • How will the applicant benefit from membership in the UCCC ?

Note that having access to the UCCC cores at reduced cost is not acceptable as the sole criterion to apply for membership.

Section 3. Membership Types

There are two types of membership in the UCCC : Full membership, and Associate membership

Section 3.1. Full membership will be considered for applicants who perform basic, clinical, translational or population-based cancer research on a regular basis, and who meet the following three criteria:

  • Cancer research or cancer care is a significant focus
  • Have independent support for their cancer related activities. Basic scientists must be PI or Co-PI in a peer reviewed grant; clinical scientists must be PI or Co-PI in clinical studies or industry contracts.
  • Have at least 3 peer-reviewed papers published within the past 4 years or in-press that are cancer-related.

Section 3.2.  Associate membership will be considered for individuals who contribute to basic, clinical, translational or population-based cancer research but do not meet the criteria for full membership. To qualify as associate members, applicants are expected to:

  1. Hold an advanced degree
  2. Provide evidence of contribution to cancer research in the last two years, as verified by two or more of the following requisites:
    • Co-authorship in one or more cancer-related peer-reviewed publication.
    • Co-authorship in one or more abstracts presented in national or international cancer-related meetings.
    • Mentorship or co-mentorship of students, interns or fellows in cancer-related projects.
    • Formal research collaboration with a UCCC Full Member.

Section 3.3. Exceptional cases may be approved by merit for Full or Associate membership at the discretion of the UCCC Senior Leadership

Section 4. Membership Privileges

Section 4.1. Full members shall have access to UCCC Shared Core Services at subsidized rates. Associate members may use the cores at subsidized rates only with a Full member’s collaboration/sponsorship. All members should acknowledge any use of UCCC Shared Core Services on their research publications.

Section 4.2. Full members can apply for seed grants offered by UCCC. Associate members may apply jointly with a Full member.

Section 4.3 . All UCCC Full and Associate members will receive updated listings of ongoing cancer-related research and training programs, announcements of UCCC and relevant community activity, and announcement from their respective program areas.

Section 5. Membership Requirements

Section 5.1.  All members will be asked on an annual basis to provide information regarding their publications and grant/contract awards.

Section 5.2 . Continuous membership is contingent upon continued pursuit of cancer-related research and/or cancer-related clinical activities. Membership will be reviewed periodically and might result in continuation, termination or change of membership type. An appeal can be submitted to the UCCC membership chair by providing evidence of active cancer research as demonstrated by extramural funding and publications.

Section 5.3.   Members are to notify the UCCC Director and the UCCC membership committee chair of any funding received from the tobacco industry. Sponsored research activities funded by the tobacco industry cannot be routed through the UCCC .

 

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