Key takeaways

• A national working group developed committees, educational resources, and mentorship opportunities to expand oncology advanced practice provider (APP) engagement in clinical trials. 
• The abstract reported more than 6000 registered nonphysician investigators within the National Cancer Institute (NCI) and described contributions to the COACH-APP initiative. 
• The authors recommended reviewing institutional policies to support APP involvement in study development, implementation, and patient management. 

A national initiative is strengthening support for oncology APP involvement in NCI-sponsored clinical trials through education, mentorship, and research infrastructure, according to an abstract presented at the 2026 JADPRO Live meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Building on NCI policy and guidance introduced in 2020 and 2021, the multidisciplinary working group operates within the NCI Clinical Trials Network (NCTN) and NCI Community Oncology Research Program (NCORP). Representatives from the NCI and 6 research bases meet bimonthly to identify barriers, share best practices, develop educational resources, and promote APP integration into trials. 

Reported milestones included a 5-year, philanthropically funded APP initiative launched in 2021 at one research base. Its symposia, workshops, and mentorship program culminated in an APP and Nurse Scientist Committee in 2026. A second research base established an APP Committee in 2023 and published an APP Clinical Trials Research Manual in 2024. A third hosted its first APP Symposium in 2025, with a second planned for 2026 and an APP subcommittee proposed. 

APP contributions to clinical trial accrual have been recognized annually at the NCORP Annual Meeting since 2023. The abstract reported more than 6000 registered nonphysician investigators within the NCI. The working group also contributed to development and implementation of WF 2403, COACH-APP, an education and mentorship intervention intended to build capacity within the NCORP network. These findings describe organizational and educational milestones rather than comparative trial accrual or patient outcomes. 

For oncology APPs, the authors emphasized opportunities to participate in study development, implementation, and patient management. They encouraged institutions to evaluate policies and procedures so APPs can practice to the full extent of their scope and licensure, with continued emphasis on education, role standardization, and integration into research processes.  

Source

Braun-Inglis C, Myers JS, O’Brien B, et al. Advancing advanced practice provider engagement in National Cancer Institute–sponsored clinical trials: a national NCI Clinical Trials Network/NCI Community Oncology Research Program initiative. Poster presented at: 2026 JADPRO Live; 2026; Minneapolis, MN. Poster JL1409C.