Policy on Letters of Support

In general, ASTRO does not offer letters of support for research funded through the NIH. However, letters of collaboration may be granted for studies related to comparative effectiveness (CER). For example, ASTRO may provide letters of collaboration for PCORI or other private funding agencies that encourage stakeholder engagement. To facilitate this process, ASTRO’s policy for submitting requests for letters of collaboration is as follows:

1. The requestor should send the request by email to the Department of Scientific Affairs. The request should include a summary of the project that covers the specific aims, objectives and goals for the project as applicable. The request should also explain why ASTRO’s support is needed and what collaboration is sought.
2. The Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) Resource Panel and/or other Resource Panels as appropriate will review the request and make a recommendation to ASTRO’s Executive Committee based on their assessment of the question being asked, the approach being taken, and if the study is consistent with ASTRO’s mission.
3. The Executive Committee will consider the request and determine whether ASTRO should provide a letter of support.
4. The decision will then be communicated to the requestor. The usual duration of the process is approximately three weeks. Please make the request for letters of collaboration 30 days before the proposal is due.
5. If granted, it is requested that recipients describe their findings through presentations at the ASTRO Annual Meeting, through journal articles published in one of ASTRO's scientific journals.

For letters of collaboration, ASTRO typically collaborates with investigators by disseminating the research results to patients through our patient website, www.rtanswers.org, and to our members through our communication vehicles such as ASTROgram and ASTRONews. 

Questions regarding ASTRO’s policy should be addressed to the Department of Scientific Affairs.