MASCC Membership Scholarship Policy

Purpose

Outreach to healthcare professionals worldwide with a strong interest in supportive care is among MASCC’s highest priorities. To further that goal, scholarships for membership are available on a yearly basis for those who cannot afford the full membership dues.

Scope

Membership scholarships are provided to self-nominated individuals in the field of supportive care on a case-by-case basis. Membership scholarships are designed to support the financial obligations of MASCC membership for physicians, nurses, dentists, pharmacists, social workers, psychologists, trainees, or other healthcare workers.

Award

Scholarship recipients receive complimentary membership to MASCC for one full calendar year.

Eligibility

• Scholarships are available to any physician, nurse, dentist, pharmacist, social worker, psychologist, trainee or other healthcare professional with an interest in supportive care in oncology.
• Applicants must declare an inability to pay MASCC membership dues.
• Applicants must reside in a limited-resource or low-income country (refer to eligible country list).
• Applicants who are awarded membership scholarships are expected to actively contribute to MASCC and its endeavors by way of the following: submission of an abstract to the MASCC Annual Meeting, active participation in study group projects, conducting research on supportive care in cancer, or other activities that benefit MASCC and its mission.
• Applicants requesting to extend their membership scholarship beyond one year must provide a statement along with their request showing tangible evidence of their contribution, advancement, and/or work within MASCC. This may be by way of the following: submission of an abstract to the MASCC Annual Meeting; active participation in study group projects; conducting research on supportive care in cancer; other activities that benefit MASCC and its mission.

Application Process

1. Applicants must complete the application form and submit it, along with a membership application, to the Executive Director. The Executive Director will forward applications to the Awards Committee.
2. Applicants must re-apply annually and can renew for two more years (three years total).
3. Beyond three years of membership scholarship, there must be demonstrated activity to justify continuation of the scholarship membership.
   • The activities demonstrating involvement in MASSCC may include, but are not limited to, the following: contribution to the journal, contribution to the web page, recruitment of three paying members per year, demonstrated participation in a study group project, acceptance of an abstract at the annual meeting, meeting attendance.
   • The applicant must also be able to communicate via e-mail.
4. Applicants must declare on their honor that they cannot afford to pay membership dues.
5. Recipients wishing to continue their scholarship beyond one year must provide written evidence of involvement in MASCC.

Selection Process

1. The Awards Committees will receive an updated list.
2. Currently, MASCC accepts 50 applications.
   • The Executive Director of MASCC will review and approve scholarship applications up to 50. If this number is exceeded, scholarship applications will be reviewed by the Awards Committee.
3. Recipients will be notified of the decisions by the Executive Director via email.
4. Recipients who desire to continue their membership beyond one year will be reviewed by the Awards Committee for approval.