The IASLC Patient Advocate Educational Awards provide an opportunity for patients/survivors, carers/caregivers, and patient advocates to be a part of IASLC’s most anticipated global conference: the IASLC World Conference on Lung Cancer (WCLC). The number of educational awards shall be limited to a maximum of ten. Fewer than the maximum amount may be awarded, depending on interest, qualifications of the applicants, and the review process.

Special consideration will be given to applicants who have never been awarded a WCLC Patient Advocate Educational Award (formerly, the WCLC Patient Advocate Travel Award) and who are relatively new to lung cancer patient advocacy. We are seeking qualified applicants who show a high level of interest in patient advocacy, would benefit from in-person attendance at WCLC, and are working on a project that will have a positive impact in the lung cancer community. 

If you have previously won this award or participated in the STARS program and are seeking travel coverage to WCLC 2025, we encourage you to apply to participate in the IASLC STARS Scholars Program.

Awardees will receive:

• Complimentary 2025 WCLC registration,
• Up to 5 nights' accomodation (covering September 6-9, 2025) in Barcelona at one of our contracted hotels, 
• A fixed monetary amount (to be determined based on your region) to help offset other travel costs, and
• Additional funds of USD 1,000 awarded to each recipient to be used towards a project in their home community that improves patient engagement and outcomes.
  • Please note the project stipend funds are dependent on your active participation in-person at the WCLC 2025 in Barcelona, Spain. Please be advised that failure to attend the conference will impact your eligibility for receiving the project stipend.

Eligibility for selection in 2025 will include:

• Applicants must be individual patients/survivors with a lung cancer diagnosis, carers/caregivers of a loved one with a lung cancer diagnosis, or professional patient advocates who work for a non-profit organization focused on lung cancer.
• The individual applying must be a current member of the IASLC for 2024 (visit www.iaslc.org/membership to join).
• The applicant must have demonstrated commitment and an introductory level of experience in lung cancer patient advocacy.
• Past STARS participants and past Patient Advocate Educational Award recipients are NOT eligible for the 2025 Patient Advocate Educational Award. We encourage you to apply to the STARS Scholars program if you received this award in the past or identify as STARS Alumni.  
• For organizations applying, you must nominate ONLY ONE individual to represent the organization; multiple applications from individuals from the same organization will not be considered.
  • Please note, applicants who are NOT employeed by a nonprofit or advocacy organization will be prioritized over those receiving a salary and/or with opportunity for travel coverage through their employer. 
• For the health and safety of meeting attendees, applicants must be fully vaccinated, including boosters for those eligible, against COVID-19.

Awardees are expected to:

• Attend 1 or 2 pre-conference virtual meetings to connect with fellow awardees, patient advocates, and patient advocate mentors;
• Develop a conference session attendance plan;
• Attend a Patient Engagement Meeting and luncheon during the WCLC;
• Attend a virtual meeting after the completion of WCLC to share learnings and present a project update;
• Submit a written project update 6 months after the WCLC; and
• Agree to participate virtually to support future winners of this award.

Applicants for the Educational Award will be required to submit a detailed application, including the following information:

• Applicant Contact Information
• Social Media links
• Short Answer Questions
  • Please share your connection to the lung cancer community.
  • Please share any current activities or plans for increasing lung cancer awareness, patient education and engagement, or improving patient outcomes.
  • Describe the project that the funds of USD 1,000 will be used for, including the following: (500 word limit)
    • Project Objective
    • Regional Need
    • Project Description
    • Budget
  • Describe the expected outcomes from this project. (300 word limit)

To apply:

• Click here when applications are open to access the nomination form. (opens in new tab)
• When prompted to log in, use your IASLC Member Portal credentials.
  • If you do not know your credentials, click on the "Reset your Password" link to recover your user name and/or reset your password. If you are still unable to login, please email membership@iaslc.org. 
• Once you have successfully logged in, you will be able to begin work on your application. You may save your application at any time and return to the system at a later date to continue your work. 
• Applications must be submitted by April 4, 2025.