The year 2020 will be remembered by almost everyone—and for those in the research community it is a year in which the general public truly appreciated the role that they have in keeping them safe. Now the V-Foundation for Cancer Research is recognizing the inequities in American society brought to light by the coronavirus and the social unrest of the past year. In its just released list of 2020 research grant recipients the Foundation announced the inclusion of minority researchers as part of their initiative to support underrepresented groups, giving them a share in the over $10 million in grant awards.
As a top-rated cancer research charity the V-Foundation has awarded over $260 million in grants to date. This year the 42 award selections by the judges were influenced by the events of 2020, as shared by the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Committee.
“This year’s collection of V Foundation grants tackles the most vexing cancer problems confronting both adults and children, using technologies that push the state-of-the-art in order to change the game for these life-threatening diseases,” said William Nelson, M.D., Ph.D. “In addition, support is directed at innovations in cancer ‘Thrivership’ and at promoting equity in cancer treatment”.
Specifically, three grants are to being awarded through the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund that was created to stop research and treatment disparities. Those V Scholars funded through the Stuart Scott Fund are in underrepresented groups in science.
The V Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee composed of world-class researchers from leading cancer centers oversees the highly competitive grant-making process. The selection process is described as “rigorous” in order to maintain the highest standards of scientific merit that is recognized by Charity Navigator, America’s largest evaluator of charities, placing it in the top 2% of all charities evaluated.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research was founded in 1993 by ESPN and the late Jim Valvano, legendary North Carolina State University basketball coach and ESPN commentator. Coach Valvano over the years coached many black basketball players which represent a high percentage of professional players in the NBA, but a very low percentage in non-sport industries and their executive positions.
