Become a Prostate Cancer Research Consumer Reviewer Interested in contributing to prostate cancer research? Read on to learn more. About the Prostate Cancer Research Program's Consumer Reviewer ProgramThe Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) began in 1997 as a part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, or CDMRP. Created by Congress in 1992 and administered by the Department of Defense, CDMRP programs advance biomedical research, with a particular focus on applied research that supports the greatest needs of the disease community and U.S. service members.Prostate cancer is a real threat to men who serve in the U.S. military; 1 in 5 Veterans and active-duty military will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.The PCRP is dedicated to supporting high-risk, high-reward research with near-term clinical application to eradicate prostate cancer deaths and promote groundbreaking development of new tests and treatments. The PCRP has contributed to developing 7 new treatments in thelast decade, including multiple therapies for metastatic prostate cancer that no longer respond to other treatments.A key component of the PCRP is the Consumer Reviewer Panel, composed of patients, providers, and clinicians who act as lay experts on prostate cancer, bringing their lived experiences and perspectives to the evaluation of research grant proposals. This helps ensure that the research conducted will make a meaningful difference in the lives of prostate cancer patients. To learn more about being a Reviewer and submit your name for consideration, please see the FAQ below. If you have additional questions, please email advocacy@zerocancer.org. You may also visit the CDMRP website for additional information. Frequently Asked Questions Expand All How does one become a Consumer Reviewer? To become a Consumer Reviewer, one must be nominated by an organization. As part of our ongoing mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted, ZERO nominates approximately a dozen Consumer Reviewers each year, typically in March. Who is eligible to become a Consumer Reviewer? Currently, only prostate cancer patients and survivors are eligible. Additionally, it is required that ZERO nominates people who are active within the organization. How does the nomination process work? Potential Consumer Reviewers fill out an application form and send it, along with a current resume, to ZERO. With the completed form and your resume, ZERO will write candidates a letter of recommendation, and then send it to the CDMRP.From there, the candidate will be contacted directly by the CDMRP and be interviewed. Upon successful completion of the interview, the candidate is added to the pool of Consumer Reviewers. If selected to serve on a review panel, you will be contacted by the CDMRP. What can I expect as a Consumer Reviewer? Consumer Reviewers are generally selected for one panel a year, per the CDMRP's need and the Reviewer's availability. Once selected for a panel, the Consumer Reviewer will be given access to our grants management system where all of their work will take place. Training and support are provided throughout their participation. Reviewers are selected in pairs: an experienced Reviewer is usually paired with a novice one to mentor them.A Consumer Reviewer can be assigned up to a dozen applications to review, evaluate and score based on what the impact of this application would be to the patient community. With no requirement or expectation that the Consumer has a medical or scientific background, the required reading is limited down to the lay abstract and impact statement. Consumer Reviewers are looked to for their lived experience and advocacy work.The review panel takes place over two business days as the panel reviews each research proposal. Depending on the number of proposals to review, it may take another day. Currently, the panels are held virtually; however, that may change in the future. Sitting on the panel are a few administrators and facilitators, several scientist reviewers that can encompass researchers, physicians, clinicians or specialists, and two Consumer Reviewers. Participants give each proposal a score and describe what they did and did not like about the proposal. What is the time commitment for being a Consumer Reviewer? On average, a review panel takes approximately 30-40 hours between the panel itself and the preparation time beforehand. Most are only selected for one review panel a year. Will I be compensated? Yes, the CDMRP will compensate you for your time on review panels and any travel that may be required. What makes for a successful Consumer Reviewer? Not everyone will be fully knowledgeable or comfortable with the technical jargon encountered in the review panels. It is normal for first-time Consumer Reviewers to feel intimidated or even overwhelmed. So the hallmark of a successful Consumer Reviewer is to be humble and confident; humble enough to admit when they don't know something and confident enough to ask questions.Consumer Reviewer’s aren’t expected to understand the scientific detail in the applications, but will focus on the potential impact of the research on the prostate cancer patient community, using their lived experience and advocacy work. I am interested, what are the next steps? If you are interested in becoming a Consumer Reviewer, please fill out this form, and if selected, a member of the ZERO staff will contact you when the nomination process begins. I have served previously as a Consumer Reviewer. Do I need to re-apply? No. Once you have been through the nomination process, you are vetted into the CDMRP system and are now a part of the pool of eligible Consumer Reviewers. You will be contacted yearly to capture your availability for that Fiscal Year’s panels. Consumer Reviewers can serve for 3 years (does not need to be consecutive). You remain eligible as long as you are still involved with ZERO and the prostate cancer community.
About the Prostate Cancer Research Program's Consumer Reviewer ProgramThe Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) began in 1997 as a part of the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs, or CDMRP. Created by Congress in 1992 and administered by the Department of Defense, CDMRP programs advance biomedical research, with a particular focus on applied research that supports the greatest needs of the disease community and U.S. service members.Prostate cancer is a real threat to men who serve in the U.S. military; 1 in 5 Veterans and active-duty military will be diagnosed with the disease in their lifetime.The PCRP is dedicated to supporting high-risk, high-reward research with near-term clinical application to eradicate prostate cancer deaths and promote groundbreaking development of new tests and treatments. The PCRP has contributed to developing 7 new treatments in thelast decade, including multiple therapies for metastatic prostate cancer that no longer respond to other treatments.A key component of the PCRP is the Consumer Reviewer Panel, composed of patients, providers, and clinicians who act as lay experts on prostate cancer, bringing their lived experiences and perspectives to the evaluation of research grant proposals. This helps ensure that the research conducted will make a meaningful difference in the lives of prostate cancer patients. To learn more about being a Reviewer and submit your name for consideration, please see the FAQ below. If you have additional questions, please email advocacy@zerocancer.org. You may also visit the CDMRP website for additional information.
Frequently Asked Questions Expand All How does one become a Consumer Reviewer? To become a Consumer Reviewer, one must be nominated by an organization. As part of our ongoing mission to end prostate cancer and help all who are impacted, ZERO nominates approximately a dozen Consumer Reviewers each year, typically in March. Who is eligible to become a Consumer Reviewer? Currently, only prostate cancer patients and survivors are eligible. Additionally, it is required that ZERO nominates people who are active within the organization. How does the nomination process work? Potential Consumer Reviewers fill out an application form and send it, along with a current resume, to ZERO. With the completed form and your resume, ZERO will write candidates a letter of recommendation, and then send it to the CDMRP.From there, the candidate will be contacted directly by the CDMRP and be interviewed. Upon successful completion of the interview, the candidate is added to the pool of Consumer Reviewers. If selected to serve on a review panel, you will be contacted by the CDMRP. What can I expect as a Consumer Reviewer? Consumer Reviewers are generally selected for one panel a year, per the CDMRP's need and the Reviewer's availability. Once selected for a panel, the Consumer Reviewer will be given access to our grants management system where all of their work will take place. Training and support are provided throughout their participation. Reviewers are selected in pairs: an experienced Reviewer is usually paired with a novice one to mentor them.A Consumer Reviewer can be assigned up to a dozen applications to review, evaluate and score based on what the impact of this application would be to the patient community. With no requirement or expectation that the Consumer has a medical or scientific background, the required reading is limited down to the lay abstract and impact statement. Consumer Reviewers are looked to for their lived experience and advocacy work.The review panel takes place over two business days as the panel reviews each research proposal. Depending on the number of proposals to review, it may take another day. Currently, the panels are held virtually; however, that may change in the future. Sitting on the panel are a few administrators and facilitators, several scientist reviewers that can encompass researchers, physicians, clinicians or specialists, and two Consumer Reviewers. Participants give each proposal a score and describe what they did and did not like about the proposal. What is the time commitment for being a Consumer Reviewer? On average, a review panel takes approximately 30-40 hours between the panel itself and the preparation time beforehand. Most are only selected for one review panel a year. Will I be compensated? Yes, the CDMRP will compensate you for your time on review panels and any travel that may be required. What makes for a successful Consumer Reviewer? Not everyone will be fully knowledgeable or comfortable with the technical jargon encountered in the review panels. It is normal for first-time Consumer Reviewers to feel intimidated or even overwhelmed. So the hallmark of a successful Consumer Reviewer is to be humble and confident; humble enough to admit when they don't know something and confident enough to ask questions.Consumer Reviewer’s aren’t expected to understand the scientific detail in the applications, but will focus on the potential impact of the research on the prostate cancer patient community, using their lived experience and advocacy work. I am interested, what are the next steps? If you are interested in becoming a Consumer Reviewer, please fill out this form, and if selected, a member of the ZERO staff will contact you when the nomination process begins. I have served previously as a Consumer Reviewer. Do I need to re-apply? No. Once you have been through the nomination process, you are vetted into the CDMRP system and are now a part of the pool of eligible Consumer Reviewers. You will be contacted yearly to capture your availability for that Fiscal Year’s panels. Consumer Reviewers can serve for 3 years (does not need to be consecutive). You remain eligible as long as you are still involved with ZERO and the prostate cancer community.
