NBCC’s Project LEAD

The Premier Science Training for Breast Cancer Advocates

What Is Project LEAD?

NBCC’s Project LEAD is the premier science training program for breast cancer advocates. At the annual Project LEAD Institute, students prepare to engage in a wide range of local and national forums where breast cancer decisions are made.  

During the six-day course, renowned research faculty teach advocates the basics of cancer biology, genetics, epidemiology, research design, and advocacy, providing them with a foundation of scientific knowledge upon which they can strengthen and empower themselves as activists.  

After completing the course, Project LEAD graduates bring an educated consumer perspective and critical thinking skills to the important issues and controversies in breast cancer, from reviewing research proposals for new treatment options to lobbying for research funding on Capitol Hill. 

Who Should Take Project LEAD?

"The wonderful thing about Project LEAD is it takes all of us who aren't scientifically oriented and in a week, teaches how to understand the science of breast cancer at a basic level."

Project LEAD attendees are: 

  • Interested in learning the scientific language and concepts of breast cancer to share with their community.
  • Motivated to take a seat at the tables where important breast cancer decisions are made.
  • Dedicated to supporting NBCC’s mission to end breast cancer for everyone.
  • Actively involved with a breast cancer organization.
  • Individuals with a personal connection to breast cancer.

Project LEAD 2025 Details

Dates: July 27 – August 1, 2025
Location: Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa, La Jolla, CA
Cost: There is no registration or tuition fee, and course materials, content, and meals are provided. Attendees are expected to cover their own travel and stay at the Estancia. Some scholarships are available– please see FAQ below. 

Apply to Attend Project LEAD

Applications have now closed.

Only complete application packages will be reviewed. Acceptances will be made on a rolling basis beginning in January 2025. All applicants will be notified of their status no later than May 16, 2025.

What Do Project LEAD Graduates Do?

Project LEAD graduates work in all aspects of breast cancer-related research, quality care improvement, and evidence-based health care and decision-making. They: 

  • Partner with scientists to design breast cancer research. 
  • Become involved with clinical trials on protocol committees and data safety monitoring boards and help educate the public about clinical trial participation. 
  • Write articles and commentary on breast cancer issues. 
  • Present work at scientific conferences and meetings.
  • Review breast cancer research proposals for the Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program and other research panels. 
  • Serve on decision-making boards of local, state, and national organizations, committees, and institutional review boards. 

Graduates also gain access to high-quality continuing education opportunities, including NBCC’s Learning Management System, exclusive webinars, and conference sessions. 

Project LEAD FAQ

What are the guidelines for attending Project LEAD?

To ensure Project LEAD is an enriching experience for all attendees, we ask all participants to abide by a few guidelines during the program: 

  • You are expected to attend the entire program. The lectures and study group sessions build upon each other and missing some sessions will mean you have not gotten the full experience. If you cannot commit to attending all six days of Project LEAD, we would recommend applying at a different time. Failure to attend all lectures and activities means you will not graduate or receive the benefits designed for Project LEAD graduates. 
  • You will complete a Graduate Action Plan, laying out your advocacy goals with NBCC. As you go through Project LEAD, we ask you to think about how you plan to use the skills and knowledge gained there going forward, and how you might involve yourself with NBCC’s mission alongside the work you already do. 
  • You will have respect for your fellow attendees and faculty members. Project LEAD is an interactive learning environment, and to ensure that everyone has the best possible experience, we ask that participants treat each other with respect and kindness. This includes making sure everyone has a chance to speak and participate in group discussions, arriving on time for sessions, and making sure we are all working towards shared learning goals.  
  • You must stay at the designated course hotel. All the course activities, including meals, are held at the same venue. We have found it is more effective to have the entire group staying together. 
Is Project LEAD right for me right now?

The course lasts for six days and is an intensive, interactive experience. Days are long, mornings are early, and because it is a classroom environment, there are long periods of sitting. We ask any advocates interested in attending to make sure that such a schedule is doable for them. While we are regularly joined by advocates in various stages of treatment, we want to make sure that everyone is putting their health first before attending a strenuous program. If Project LEAD is not right for you at this time, we welcome your application for a future session. 

What is the daily schedule like?

Typically, days begin with breakfast at 7am, followed by the first lecture at about 8am. The daily program will end by about 6:30pm – 7:00pm. Each day will contain several lectures, followed by smaller breakout groups for review and discussion, with multiple short breaks in betweenAll breakfasts, lunches, and dinners are provided. 

What do the breakout sessions look like?

On any given day, the full group will hear several lectures from expert faculty and then break out into small study groups, led by their respective mentors and a scientific expert. With the aid of provided study questions, the groups review what they learned in the lectures to clarify and synthesize the material. At the end of the week, each group presents on a topic from the course. 

What networking opportunities will be available at Project LEAD?

Project LEAD participants come from around the country (and the world) to attend the course. You will be able to get to know other advocates during breaks, mealtimes, and study groups, and interact one-on-one with scientists and researchers. 

Who are Project LEAD Mentors?

Mentors are experienced NBCC advocates who have already taken Project LEAD and will assist participants through their experience. Each participant will be assigned to a small group with one mentor. This person will help prepare their group for Project LEAD, guide them through the course material, and keep in touch with them post-LEAD to ensure they are able to implement their advocacy goals. 

What does Project LEAD cost?

There is no registration or tuition fee to attend the Project LEAD Institute. Course materials, content, and meals are provided to all attendees. However, advocates are expected to cover their own travel and hotel stay at the Estancia La Jolla Hotel and Spa. Some scholarships are available to support hotel and travel. 

Are scholarships available to defray the cost of attendance?

Yes! NBCC is pleased to offer three types of scholarships: 

  • Hotel: Covers the cost of a shared room at the Estancia La Jolla for the duration of Project LEAD. 
  • Travel: Reimburses up to $400 in travel costs after the completion of Project LEAD. 
  • Hotel and travel: Both of the above. 

Instructions on how to apply are found in the Project LEAD application. 

What is the dress code?

The dress code is casual. It is important to be comfortable during the long sessions. 

Should I bring a tablet and/or laptop with me?

We strongly recommend participants bring their own laptop or tablet. Course materials will be provided electronically for participants to print or view on their devices, according to their preferences. If requested, a rented iPad may be provided by NBCC to access the course content. Printed copies of slides, readings, etc. are not available. 

Do I have to attend the NBCC Advocate Leadership Summit before I can attend Project LEAD?

While attending NBCC’s Summit prior to taking Project LEAD is not required, it is strongly encouraged. The Summit provides an excellent opportunity to learn about NBCC and our priorities, as well as to begin to make connections with our network of dedicated advocates. Applicants who have previously attended an Advocate Leadership Summit will be given priority in the selection process. 

For More Information

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Project LEAD History

Since the first Project LEAD in 1995, NBCC has made providing outstanding breast cancer education a key part of its mission. Historically, these programs have included two-day workshops, topic-specific training sessions, as well as international programming. Explore some of Project LEAD’s previous offerings: 

Project LEAD Workshop

The Project LEAD workshop was a two-day training program for advocates interested in an introductory education in the science of breast cancer. 

This workshop taught students how to be critical thinkers and how to better understand the breast cancer science in the media every day. 

At the Project LEAD workshop, students studied the biological and molecular concepts that explain how breast cancer works and the research methods and study designs that allow scientists to discover new information and test their ideas. 

Quality Care Project LEAD

Quality Care Project LEAD was a four-day course that taught breast cancer advocates how to improve the quality of health care for everyone through systems change. This course, part of NBCC’s Quality Care Initiative, built upon our vision of quality care to provide advocates the tools to identify opportunities and develop strategies for improving the quality of health care in their communities. 

At Quality Care Project LEAD, participants: 

  • Became familiar with the science, language, and concepts used in the quality care field 
  • Learned the types, levels, and sources of evidence used in breast cancer care, and where the gaps in evidence are 
  • Understood the design and methodology of health services research used in measuring what matters in quality care 
  • Explored the US health care system structure and advocates’ role in systems change 
  • Heard about NBCC’s vision of quality care and acquired tools to achieve it 

Graduates of Quality Care Project LEAD helped shape the national dialogue on quality care issues. They represented NBCC on state, local, and national advisory committees and technical panels focused on such topics as quality measurement and clinical guidelines. 

As we continue to work with key stakeholders in the health care system on our public policy priority, guaranteed access to quality health care for all, trained advocates will help implement health care reform legislation nationally and locally and ensure that these efforts adhere to our quality care principles. 

Clinical Trials Project LEAD

Clinical Trials Project LEAD was a four-day advanced course open to graduates of the Project LEAD Institute. 

The course focused on understanding and improving breast cancer clinical trials research. This course, part of NBCC’s Clinical Trials Initiative, trained advocates to participate in all levels of the clinical trials process from evaluating trial design to serving on Institutional Review Boards and Data Safety Monitoring Boards. 

At Clinical Trials Project LEAD®, participants: 

  • Became familiar with the drug development process and key terms such as accelerated approval and surrogate endpoints 
  • Learned about the purpose, design, and endpoints associated with different types of clinical trials 
  • Explored the similarities and differences in issues of clinical trials in the metastatic, adjuvant, and preventive settings 
  • Acquired the skills to critically evaluate research protocols 
  • Understood ethical issues in clinical trials such as autonomy, beneficence, and justice 
  • Discussed the intersection of current trends in clinical trials politics and methodology with advocacy 

Clinical Trials Project LEAD graduates have represented NBCC in research partnerships, at scientific conferences, and in other research settings. 

International Project LEAD

International Project LEAD was a training course modeled on NBCC’s Project LEAD curriculum that covered the basics of cancer biology, genetics, epidemiology, research design, and advocacy, with an emphasis on global clinical trials. 

International Project LEAD was developed in 2004 in consultation with a wide range of advocacy groups and scientific organizations. Its purpose was to promote effective advocacy to improve clinical trials and advance the mission of knowing how to end breast cancer on a global scale. 

The faculty members of International Project LEAD included renowned scientists from international academic and research institutions. The course was taught in English, and participants were fluent in both the written and spoken language. 

International Project LEAD courses have been held in Paris and Buenos Aires. The first was held June 20-26, 2004 in Madrid, Spain. 

Beyond Borders Breast Cancer Project

This project worked to bring NBCC’s unique and well-respected science-based advocacy to the global arena to ensure that breast cancer research everywhere is ethical, efficient, effective, and useful. The project had three components: 

  • Online International Community: NBCC’s LEAD Grads Online is an exclusive online community designed to keep graduates energized and engaged. International advocates have always been welcome to join in debates and share information alongside our domestic advocates. NBCC’s Beyond Borders Advocate Network included a separate online forum and a range of resources specific to international concerns. 
  • A Global Clinical Trials Continuing Education Program: NBCC offered an international webinar series specifically focused on international research. Topics included clinical trial design, ethics, and international regulation of clinical trials, as well as in-depth reviews of specific trials of interest. 
  • Mentorship For Emerging Leaders: Beyond Borders worked closely with emerging international leaders and provided them with additional support. We expanded our existing national mentor program to connect new international advocates with more experienced advocates in their region. We also involved key advocates in the development and implementation of our international training programs.