CANCER CENTER
PILOT RESEARCH PROJECTS and INFRASTRUCTURE
Deadline October 6, 2006
The Cancer Center will provide pilot support for cancer focused investigations and technology development that can lead to major external funding or to clinical trials. Support typically is in the range of $20-50,000 for one year, renewable for a second year, based on a review of progress. Higher funding levels would be appropriate for multi-investigator proposals or for instrumentation or infrastructure. Applicants must be a current member of the Cancer Center to be eligible for these funds, and Cancer Center members of any rank are eligible to apply.
We are especially interested in funding projects that are translational, foster inter-disciplinary collaborations, multi-investigator publications and new grant applications. We particularly encourage interactions between laboratory scientists and clinical investigators. This could include research on Cancer Biomarkers, Tumor Imaging, Drug Discovery and Development, Molecular Assessment of Clinical Trials, Animal Models of Cancer, and organ-site specific cancer research. Eligible research also could include the development of new Core facilities, the expansion of existing Cores, or development of new technology. We also will support innovative basic research ideas, but the cancer focus must be clear and explicit.
Because a major goal of this initiative is to provide "seed" funds that will lead to external grant support, it is appropriate to apply for funding of research that has been peer reviewed but was scored below the pay line. In those circumstances, please provide all available critiques/summary statements and scores as well as an explicit description of how the proposed research will respond to the critiques.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult with the CCSG leadership (Michael Weber, Sally Parsons, Geoff Weiss), Associate Director for Infrastructure (Jay Fox), Associate Director for Research Administration (Tom O'Leary), and Program Leaders: David Brautigan, John Bushweller, Vic Engelhard, Joyce Hamlin, Tom Parsons, and Peggy Shupnik. A Letter of Intent to Tom O'Leary is optional, but, can help us provide a potential applicant with guidance on preparing a competitive application, and enlisting external reviewers where appropriate. Letters of intent should be submitted as early as possible. (TJO@virginia.edu)
Applications should follow PHS 398 format, including an Abstract of no more than 250 words, and narratives should be no more than five pages in length. In addition, using NIH 398 format, please submit a budget, budget justification, biosketch, and the complete Other Support information. Please submit these materials in a single PDF document electronically to Tom O'Leary (TJO@Virginia.edu) as well as 5 printed copies, delivered to the Cancer Center administrative offices (6131 and 6171, West Complex).