Summary and Specific Objectives
The goal of the Surgical Oncology Network is to establish a structure and a system to enable the integration of quality surgical oncology services into the formal cancer care system. The four main mandates of the Network include:

1. Developing communications tools to enhance surgical decision making provincially;
2. Participating in the identification and/or development of peer- reviewed, evidence-based guidelines based on 'best practice' principles;
3. Developing a high quality continuing education program that meets standards of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons; and
4. Conducting regionally based research and outcome analyses to provide vital information for Network initiatives.

The specific objective of the ROE (Research Outcomes and Evaluation Committee) Project Program is to identify and enable projects that support the mandates of the Surgical Oncology Network.  This program can be used to support a variety of initiatives including obtaining data for early stage pilot or feasibility studies as well as communication or education initiatives.   While the Surgical Oncology Network does not provide direct funding in the form of grants, it will provide in-kind administrative and organizational support for approved projects. 

Eligibility Requirements

• All members of the Surgical Oncology Network are invited to apply.  
• The project leader in the project must be a surgeon practicing oncology.  External participants may be included in the project proposal as co-applicants. 
• The proposed project must be directed towards supporting one of the four functions of the Surgical Oncology Network.

View the complete Project Proposal Guidelines here

There is a two-stage application process:

Stage 1: Feasibility Application

A Project Feasibility Application must be submitted by email to the SON Research and Outcomes Evaluation Committee (ROEC@bccancer.bc.ca). The Feasibility Proposal will be reviewed by the ROE Committee Chair and Coordinator. If approved, applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Applicants will be notified within 4-6 weeks.

Please provide the following information:

• Title of Proposed Project
• Name of Project Leader, Team Members and Contact Information
• Brief description of proposed project, including expected duration/timeline (maximum 1 page)

The full application will include the following:

1. Cover page: including the proposed title of the project, project leader (name affiliation, telephone, fax, e-mail) and team members (name affiliation, telephone, fax, e-mail).
2. Project Overview: (half page maximum) stating the objectives of project and the approach, highlighting the expected significance of the work. This must indicate how the research proposal fits with the objectives of the Surgical Oncology Network.
3. Commitment to Project: Indicate the number of hours total that the project leader and co-investigators intend to devote to the project described in the present application. Also indicate any other resources that you will commit to this project, e.g. graduate student time, administrative assistant time.
4. Resources Requested: Estimate how much support you anticipate that you will require from the SON for this project. Please be as specific as possible, for example, indicate what kind of support you will require and the estimated number of hours. For example, data entry, 20 hours.
5. Duration: Indicate the expected duration of this project, including any relevant milestone or deadlines. Please include any submission deadlines for meetings or grants.
6. Project Proposal: Limited to a maximum of two pages, with one additional page for figures if necessary. Minimum acceptable font size is 12 point. State the project objectives; background and significance of project; relevance of this project and implications for the improvement of surgical oncology; outline of the research plan, including methodology used; clear exclusion/inclusion criteria, if relevant; criteria to measure the success of the project; plans to disseminate results (proposed journals or meetings).
7. Short CV of applicant(s):Include the following:

• Address and current position of the applicant, indicating start date in that position.
• Publication record of applicant
• List of all grants currently held and applied for, including the source of funding, time period of funding, grant title and the amount of funding.
• A statement of the relationship of this project to these other ongoing projects and grants

Please submit the proposal electronically to the SON Research and Outcomes Evaluation Committee Coordinator at ROEC@bccancer.bc.ca