Patient Advocate Opportunities

The Department of Defense (DoD) distributes approximately $150M a year in congressionally directed breast cancer researching funding. In addition to the Breast Cancer Research Program, the DoD runs similar programs for a variety of diseases. The programs are designed to provide support of innovative, hegh-risk, high-reward studies. The distribution methodology for all of these programs provides for Consumer Advocates at all levels of the decision-making process, from establishing research priorities for the year, to reviewing each and every proposal, to the final funding decisions. As such, advocates sit on panels right alongside scientists, and have an opportunity to share their opinions, concerns and/or support about all of the projects under review. We are there to put a face on the disease and to bring survivor concerns to the forefront.

Consumer advocates (typically survivors themselves, although not necessarily) can apply directly to the DoD. In addition to your application, you must submit a recommendation from a “sponsoring” agency. Finally there is a brief interview that gives both the DoD and you a chance to address any questions you might have. If accepted, you will be assigned to the next available panel, along with administrative support, a scientific review officer and a consumer advocate mentor to help get you through!

While nothing more is required, if you do not have a medial or scientific background, understanding the proposals can be daunting. I personally suggest that applicants get some measure of background in the science side of breast cancer. The place I turned, and highly recommend, is the National Breast Cancer Coalition Project LEAD. You can find more here: http://www.breastcancerdeadline2020.org/learn/project-lead/


In addition to the inclusion of consumer voices, another hallmark of the DoD program is that all funded researchers are required to share their results at their Era of Hope Conference. It is a way to ensure that both promising results as well as “bad” results become a part of the knowledge pool.

While the DoD model has been implemented in may other grant settings, both domestically and world-wide, DoD remains the most highly sought and respected funders in breast cancer research. You can learn more about being a consumer reviewer for the DoD on their website: http://cdmrp.army.mil/cwg/default.shtml.
The Department of Defense (DoD) distributes approximately $150M a year in congressionally directed breast cancer researching funding. In addition to the Breast Cancer Research Program, the DoD runs similar programs for a variety of diseases. The programs are designed to provide support of innovative, hegh-risk, high-reward studies. The distribution methodology for all of these programs provides for Consumer Advocates at all levels of the decision-making process, from establishing research priorities for the year, to reviewing each and every proposal, to the final funding decisions. As such, advocates sit on panels right alongside scientists, and have an opportunity to share their opinions, concerns and/or support about all of the projects under review. We are there to put a face on the disease and to bring survivor concerns to the forefront.

Consumer advocates (typically survivors themselves, although not necessarily) can apply directly to the DoD. In addition to your application, you must submit a recommendation from a “sponsoring” agency. Finally there is a brief interview that gives both the DoD and you a chance to address any questions you might have. If accepted, you will be assigned to the next available panel, along with administrative support, a scientific review officer and a consumer advocate mentor to help get you through!

While nothing more is required, if you do not have a medial or scientific background, understanding the proposals can be daunting. I personally suggest that applicants get some measure of background in the science side of breast cancer. The place I turned, and highly recommend, is the National Breast Cancer Coalition Project LEAD. You can find more here: http://www.breastcancerdeadline2020.org/learn/project-lead/


In addition to the inclusion of consumer voices, another hallmark of the DoD program is that all funded researchers are required to share their results at their Era of Hope Conference. It is a way to ensure that both promising results as well as “bad” results become a part of the knowledge pool.

While the DoD model has been implemented in may other grant settings, both domestically and world-wide, DoD remains the most highly sought and respected funders in breast cancer research. You can learn more about being a consumer reviewer for the DoD on their website: http://cdmrp.army.mil/cwg/default.shtml.