Summary: Initially created in fiscal year 2019 (FY19), the Kidney Cancer Research Program (KCRP) Academy of Kidney Cancer Investigators (AKCI) is a unique interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty. The Academy pairs Early Career Scholars (ECS) with established investigators (Designated Mentors) under the oversight of the AKCI Leadership Team, a Designated Mentor Panel, and the Kidney Cancer Patient Advocates Panel. The AKCI’s overarching goal is to conduct innovative and impactful kidney cancer research while also developing a vital resource, a network of highly productive kidney cancer researchers conducting cutting edge research that advances the state of the field in kidney cancer and leads to new treatments for individuals living with kidney cancer.

Distinctive Features:

·        Early-Career Scholar: The FY26 KCRP AKCI-ECSA focuses on both the Scholar’s

research and their career potential in the kidney cancer field.

·        Designated Mentor: The Designated Mentor must have a strong record of successful mentorship coupled with a strong record of funding (past and present) and publications in kidney cancer research.

·        Preliminary Data: Preliminary data to support the feasibility of the research and approaches are required; however, these data do not need to be derived from the kidney cancer research field.