Innovator Award Policy

The deadline to submit is April 1 of the given year.

Purpose
To promote innovation and non-traditional thinking in order to continue to develop supportive cancer care.

Scope
MASCC recognizes an individual with novel, bold thinking and impactful, non-traditional, out-of-the-box idea(s) that have changed or enhanced direction, practices, and services in supportive care in cancer (related to MASCC or outside of MASCC) within the past two (2) years.

Award
The recipient will be recognized at the Annual Meeting and in MASCC publications, as deemed appropriate. The recipient will receive an invitation to the Awards Reception to receive their award certificate.

Eligibility

1. Nominees must be current members of MASCC and in good standing.
2. Nominees must have made a significant contribution or led innovative changes, practices, or services in supportive cancer care.
3. Nominees must have an endorsement by:
   • A current MASCC member in good standing with the Society (by way of the completed nomination form), and
   • A MASCC study group leader and/or MASCC Board Member (by way of the support letter(s)).
4. Nominees who have previously been awarded the Innovator Award are not eligible.

Please download the form at the top of this page for submission instructions.

Procedures

Nomination Process

1. Any current MASCC member (including self-nomination) may nominate an individual for the Innovator Award.
2. A nomination package should be submitted to events@mascc.org that includes the following:
   • Nomination Form,
   • No less than one (1) but no more than four (4) letters of support by MASCC members, including at least one (1) an endorsement by a MASCC Study Group Leader and/or MASCC Board Member, and
   • Any relevant documentation to support the innovations discussed.
   • Up-to-date resume / CV. 
3. Nomination package must be received by the designated due date.

Selection Process

1. A call for nominations will be published on the MASCC website and via email to all members.
2. All nominations will be reviewed by the MASCC Awards Committee. Nominations will be considered based on (1) novelty of research, (2) level of contribution, (3) impact of work, and (4) quality of work.
3. The MASCC Awards Committee will select the award recipient based on the nominee’s contributions to innovative changes, practices, or services in supportive care in cancer within the past two (2) years.
4. There will be only one (1) recipient of the Innovator Award per year. Awards will be based on the merits of each individual nominee.
5. The award recipient will be notified by email.
6. An award may not be presented if there are no qualified submissions in a given year.