Merit Award

Based on funding availability at the time of the Award, a limited number of Merit Awards will be awarded to fellows and residents whose research is addressed in high-quality abstracts submitted to an ASCO Meeting and recognized for its scientific merit. Recipients of Merit Awards are honored with the opportunity to present their abstract at the Annual Meeting and ASCO thematic meetings and to receive between $1,000 to $1,500 in monetary support, complimentary registration for the ASCO Meeting and access to reserved Meeting housing. Merit Award candidates must apply for the award at the time of abstract submission..

To be considered for an Annual Meeting Merit Award, the first author of an abstract must:

• Hold a doctoral degree (including but not limited to MD, DO, PharmD, or PhD) or be a doctoral degree candidate at the time of abstract submission
• Be enrolled in an oncology fellowship training program or equivalent training program at the time of abstract submission
• Work in an oncology laboratory or clinical research setting
• Agree to present the abstract at the Annual Meeting
• Provide a letter of support from his or her Training Program Director, indicating eligibility for the award
• Provide a two-page curriculum vitae

Special Merit Awards

Special Merit Awards are presented to trainees and junior faculty who have the top-ranking abstracts for the ASCO Annual Meeting. In addition to the stipend, recipients receive a plaque and are recognized at the ASCO Annual Meeting.

Bradley Stuart Beller Special Merit Award

This award is given to the fellow who has the highest ranking abstract overall in the Merit Award category as determined by the Scientific Program Committee. The award is funded through the Bradley Stuart Beller Endowment.

Brigid Leventhal Special Merit Award

This award is given to the fellow who submitted the top abstract in Pediatric Oncology as determined by the Scientific Program Committee.

The Pain Special Merit Award

This award is given to the fellow who submitted the top abstract in Pain and Symptom Management Research as determined by the Scientific Program Committee.

James B. Nachman ASCO Junior Faculty Award in Pediatric Oncology

This award is established in memory of James B. Nachman, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Chicago and an internationally renowned pediatric cancer expert. It is endowed through the James B. Nachman Pediatric Oncology Fund and will be given each year to a junior faculty member who submits the highest ranking abstract in pediatric oncology for the ASCO Annual Meeting as determined by the ASCO Scientific Program Committee. The recipient will receive $3,000 in monetary support to attend the Annual Meeting, complimentary registration for the Annual meeting and access to reserved Meeting housing. Candidates must apply for this award at the time of abstract submission.

The First Author must meet all of the following requirements to be considered for this award:

• Hold a medical or doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DO, or DNP)
• Be within 7 years of their first faculty appointment at the time of abstract submission
• Conduct laboratory, population-based, or clinical research focused on childhood cancer
• Agree to present the abstract at the ASCO Annual Meeting

In addition, the abstract must be selected for presentation in an Oral Abstract Session.

Consideration for the James B. Nachman ASCO Junior Faculty Award in Pediatric Oncology is available on the Annual Meeting abstract submitter. For more information, visit ASCO Meetings.

The 2013 Merit Awards are supported by: