Planning and Evaluation Core

SUMMARY The Planning and Evaluation (P&E) Core of the University of Massachusetts, Boston (UMass Boston) and Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) Partnership enables cutting-edge cancer research through the solicitation, evaluation and selection of new research projects. The P&E Core brings senior faculty, early-stage investigators, and trainees together to design and pursue significant research projects. This process is vetted by a robust Internal Advisory Committee (IAC) comprising senior faculty, institutional leaders, core leaders, and current and former project investigators. The P&E Core utilizes a logic model framework and outcomes database to carefully monitor, assess, and report the progress of research projects, programs and cores. Key assessment metrics used by the core include impact, dissemination, training opportunities, and sustainability. The P&E Core engages key institutional leaders and faculty at UMass Boston and DF/HCC to provide effective and well-integrated programmatic and scientific management that is mutually beneficial. These efforts are focused on bridging the gaps between scientific inquiry and societal implementation to treat cancer and reduce cancer rates. The specific aims of the Planning and Evaluation Core are to: 1) Facilitate and promote cutting-edge research; 2) Build and maintain a robust IAC and utilize this expertise and that of the Program Steering Committee (PSC) to monitor Partnership progress and inform decision making; 3) Evaluate and track research projects and cores; 4) Document Partnership activity and oversee reporting to the NCI; 5) Identify grant opportunities and support proposal development; and 6) Expand the Partnership into areas of high potential impact through collaboration and development of synergies with other institutional activities and initiatives.