Metastatic Advocate Researcher Program (METARP)

Call for Applicants

Goal of the program: Build long-lasting bidirectional relationships between researchers and advocates.

Deadline May 22, 2026

Participant selection

  • Breast cancer patient advocates with research advocacy experience are encouraged to apply (previous research advocacy experience is preferred but not required).

  • Cancer researcher applicants should focus on metastatic and/or breast cancer research. Previous experience in working with advocates is preferred but not required. Preference will be made to junior investigators including PhD students close to defending, post docs, and junior faculty.

  • Participants will be selected in a way that balances the cohort and matches the pairs with respect to expertise, background, experience with cancer, and goals.

Benefits of being selected

  • Introduction to a partnership that we hope will continue to improve cancer research!

  • Highlights on the Theresa’s website about you/ your partnership

  • Blog post created between the research scientist and research advocate

  • Travel expenses up to $1,500 covered for METARP advocates and researchers

Expectations of those selected

  • Researchers will be required to submit an abstract.

  • Prior to the Symposium all MARP participants will attend interactive webinars or watch the webinar recordings.

  • Patient advocate and researcher pairs will be introduced by email prior to the Congress.

  • Must arrive June 27th to attend a welcome dinner.

  • Throughout the congress, there will be opportunities to touch base with your METARP partner.

  • After the congress is over, each pair will work together to write a blog post – this can be about your experience at the conference, the researcher’s project, or the advocate’s experience with cancer – and should be written from both of you. Blog posts will be due one month after the end of the Congress. (August 1) Blogs will be posted on the Foundation & MRS website.

  • You will be encouraged to continue working with your partner. We will follow up with Webinar~6 months after the Symposium to checkin.

To apply submit the following to josh@theresasresearch.org by May 22, 2026

Advocates

  • CV or Resume

  • A paragraph about your experience with you/ your loved one having breast cancer (max 150 words)

  • If applicable, your experience advocating for research for MBC (max 300 words)

  • A paragraph explaining what you hope to gain from participating in METARP (max 300 words)

Researchers

  • CV or Resume

  • A paragraph about your research focus in lay terms (max 300 words)

  • If applicable, your experience working with patient advocates (max 300 words)

  • A paragraph explaining what you hope to gain from participating in METARP (max 300 words)

  • Provide proof of abstract submission