Abstract
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 GOG Foundation, Inc. (GOG-F) launched two-tiered development programs: the GOG-F New Investigator Program and the GOG-F Scholar Career Development Award. This five-year evaluation reports academic, leadership, accrual, and funding outcomes.
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.
The 2019 cohort consisted of 10 Scholars and 36 New Investigators, comprising 37 females and nine males. Participants identified as Asian (n = 9), non-Hispanic Puerto Rican (n = 1), White (n = 35), with one participant not reporting. Collectively, awardees held 107 committee roles, led 33 trials as (co-)PIs, and enrolled 3,179 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.
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 critical gaps in clinical trial leadership.
•GOG-F Scholars and New Investigators collectively enrolled over 3,100 patients in clinical trials, published more than 1,000 scholarly works, and obtained greater than $150 million in subsequent funding.•The GOG-F Scholar and New Investigator programs offer a scalable and pragmatic model for developing the clinical trial workforce.