Requirements for the 2023 Alamo Advocate Program Scholarship

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The Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation (ABCF) thanks you for your interest in the 2023 Alamo Advocate Program scholarship. This is a partial scholarship that is provided as a reimbursement after the program is completed. We encourage you to apply if you meet the following requirements.

The Alamo Advocate Program (AAP) takes place December 4th-9th and runs concurrently with the 2023 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium (SABCS). You must arrive by 1 pm on Dec 4th and leave no earlier than 8 pm on Dec 8th.

Remember to allow for transportation time from the airport.

 

Advocacy Requirement

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• You must actively support breast cancer research through policy advocacy, research advocacy, and/or community outreach. Advocates from minority and medically underserved communities are especially encouraged to apply.

• You must be a member of a nonprofit organization where you can communicate current and accurate breast cancer knowledge to constituents and colleagues, then incorporate this knowledge into personal action and/or community advocacy programs.

• You have completed recognized programs for breast cancer scientific and research knowledge. These can be both in-person and online courses. You will be asked to list these programs.

 

You may apply for this scholarship funding if you have a financial need and have not received scholarship funding from ABCF in the past five years. The Alamo Advocate Program class of 2018 and earlier classes are welcome to apply again.

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Personal Requirement

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• You must be an advocate with a nonprofit or community organization that is not a for-profit employer and is not providing funding for your travel to SABCS. You must not be employed as a
  cancer professional such as a doctor, nurse, or cancer patient navigator.

• You are a breast cancer survivor at least one year from your initial diagnosis or you can describe a compelling history in breast cancer advocacy even though you have not had breast cancer.

• You have a financial need.

• You have personal endurance adequate to navigate long days and significant walking.

• You must speak, write, and understand English. All talks at SABCS and AAP are presented in English. An essay is required with the application and a short scholarly paper submission is required following the program.

• International applicants must have the ability to safely travel in and out of the US.

• You have a smartphone that will keep you connected to the Alamo Advocate Program and the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium phone application platforms and allow communication as needed
  during the six-day program.

• You will need to arrange your own transportation and lodging to accommodate your attendance at the Alamo Advocate Program.

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Program Requirements

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• You must attend all components of the Alamo Advocate Program in their entirety including but not limited to the orientation and welcome reception on December 4, special programs throughout the week, and Hot Topics Mentor Sessions on Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday evenings.

• You will register for the San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium using the advocate application process for free registration. This is a separate registration from the Alamo Advocate Program. The process is found in the SABCS Registration area of their website. www.sabcs.org

• You must write and submit a short scholarly paper on a topic presented at SABCS. This paper will demonstrate the follow-up to your application essay and will be due in early January 2024.

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Application Process

 

• The application will be open on July 17 and close on July 31, 2023, at 11:59 PM Central Time. 

• You will describe the research training and/or experience you have as a breast cancer advocate.

• You have a financial need that would keep you from attending SABCS without assistance.

• The Alamo Breast Cancer Foundation is an early grassroots breast cancer non-profit organization founded in 1992 that has provided 26 years of advocate programs at SABCS. How and what do you know about ABCF and why do you think you should receive funding from our organization?

• You will attach a one- or two-page essay (in PDF format) to your application. First, select a topic from the 2023 SABCS Preliminary Program that is important to you and your advocacy work www.sabcs.org/Preliminary-Program-2023.Then clearly identify the topic and write an essay about this topic as it relates to your advocacy work. Let us know why the topic is important, who needs this information, and how you plan to share it. This is the topic on which you will write your post-SABCS scientific paper so be sure you are aware of current research and can discuss the topic knowledgeably.

• You will attach a letter of recommendation (in PDF format) from a leader in your nonprofit organization or from someone who can best describe and attest to your advocacy work.

• We require a signed agreement that you will attend the Alamo Advocate Program in full and comply with all aspects of the program. Also, if selected, we request a picture and brief biography that may be posted on the program’s information platform and the ABCF website. Be aware that if posted on the ABCF website, the information you disclose could come up in an online search of your name.

• Hotel reservations are open. Please reserve your hotel early for the best selection and price. You may cancel the hotel later if not selected.

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Submission of this application does not ensure selection to the Alamo Advocate Program scholarship class. Please check spelling and punctuation before submitting. Incomplete applications and applications submitted after July 31, 2023, at 11:59 pm US Central Time will not be accepted. The decision of the committee is final. Scholarship funds are distributed after the program when all requirements are complete. Scholarship recipients will be notified during the first week in September.

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Scholarships will be awarded in the following amounts:

Advocates from Texas – Up to $1,200

Advocates from 48 contiguous US states – Up to $1,700

International Advocates – Up to $2,700

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If you have a question, you may email alamoadvocateprogram@gmail.com