Expanding the workforce of clinical trial investigators committed to gynecologic cancer research: the GOG Foundation, Inc's Scholar Career Development Award and New Investigator Program.

OBJECTIVE: Training and supporting early-career investigators are essential for developing a resilient and competent clinical research workforce in gynecologic oncology. To address persistent gaps in mentorship, protected time, funding, and leadership pathways, the Gynecologic Oncology Group Foundation, Inc (GOG-F) launched two-tiered development programs: the GOG-F New Investigator Program and the GOG-F Scholar Career Development Award. This 5-year evaluation reports academic, leadership, accrual, and funding outcomes. METHODS: Annual structured electronic surveys were administered to all participants and queried committee membership, protocol involvement, clinical trial accrual, publications, abstracts, and grant activity. Mentor evaluations and participant testimonials were also collected. Descriptive statistics were used to summarize productivity metrics. RESULTS: The 2019 cohort consisted of 10 Scholars and 36 New Investigators, comprising 37 females and 9 males. Participants identified as Asian (n = 9), non-Hispanic Puerto Rican (n = 1), White (n = 35), with 1 participant not reporting. Collectively, awardees held 107 committee roles, led 33 trials as (co-)principal investigators, and enrolled 3179 patients. Scholarly output included 516 peer-reviewed publications and 321 abstracts from Scholars, and 563 publications and 486 abstracts from New Investigators. Grant funding totaled $150.43 million, comprising $100.87 million (92 grants) from Scholars and $49.57 million (124 grants) from New Investigators. Two New Investigators advanced to Scholar status. The overall return on investment was $48.18 per $1.00 invested. CONCLUSIONS: The GOG-F Scholar Career Development Award has demonstrated strong success in cultivating clinical trial leaders through structured mentorship and protected research time. The New Investigator Program has effectively fostered early-career engagement, with demonstrable academic and leadership advancement. Together, these programs offer a scalable model for strengthening the gynecologic oncology research workforce and addressing gaps in clinical trial leadership.

Duke Scholars

Author Angeles Alvarez Secord Obstetrics and Gynecology, Gynecologic Oncology