Invitation to Participate

Attachment 9: Invitation Letters To IMAT Awardees, NIH Awardees, and Technology End-Users

Technology End Users Interview Protocols

To [Insert salutation] [Insert Last Name],

I am reaching out to you as director of the Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program, a longstanding technology development program at the National Cancer Institute (NCI). You have been specifically identified as someone that used one or more of the technologies supported by this program, and in a position to provide important feedback to the NCI. The NCI is engaged in a comprehensive evaluation of this program in which we are seeking just 30 minutes of your time to assist in assessing opportunities for NCI to improve the program’s utility for the broad continuum of cancer researchers, clinicians and ultimately patients (see attached summary for additional background).

As mentioned above, you have been identified as a member of the research community having experience using emerging technology that received development support from the IMAT program; specifically [Insert technology name]. NCI is hoping to understand your experience with this technology and your views regarding its general impact on cancer research and/or clinical care. In the coming week, I am asking that you please accept an invitation from Ripple Effect Communications, a third-party contract organization tasked with the evaluation, to complete this short telephone interview (approximately 30 minutes).

 

I very much hope you are able and willing to devote the time and effort necessary to assist us. Thanks so much and please don’t hesitate to reach out to me directly should you have any questions or concerns about this evaluation.

 

Kind regards,

Tony Dickherber

 

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Tony Dickherber, PhD

Program Director

Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies

http://innovation.cancer.gov

National Cancer Institute

National Institutes of Health

Tel. (301)547-9980

Fax.(301)480-2889

[email protected]

 Please consider the environment before printing this message.

IMAT Awardees and Other NIH Awardees (Comparison Group)

To Dr. _________,

The National Cancer Institute (NCI), of the National Institutes of Health, cordially invites you to participate in a survey regarding support for technology development research. This survey is part of an evaluation of the NCI’s long-standing Innovative Molecular Analysis Technologies (IMAT) program. The IMAT program supports the development of highly innovative technologies to advance cancer research and clinical care capabilities. The evaluation is to assess the management and impact of the IMAT program, and also seek opportunities for NCI to improve the program’s utility for the broad continuum of cancer researchers, clinicians and ultimately patients.

We will be using a web-based survey instrument through which to collect your views. Please let us know at your earliest convenience if you are willing to participate in this survey [link to web survey to be provided here]. Please don’t hesitate to contact ___________ with any questions or concerns regarding this evaluation effort, or Dr. Tony Dickherber ([email protected]; (301) 547-9980) regarding information about the IMAT program.

Kind regards,

[Evaluation team representative signature]

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