VICC Funding Opportunity: Pilot award to support translational innovation in breast cancer; deadline is Sept. 26
The Richard S. Reynolds Foundation Breast Cancer Translational Innovation Award
August 2020
Overview:
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) and The Richard S. Reynolds Foundation are pleased to announce a new funding opportunity for studies proposing translational innovations. The Richard S. Reynolds Foundation has donated funds over five years to the Breast Cancer Research Program to support investigators wishing to explore dynamic and innovative ways to help empower patients in their care, seek novel approaches to determine risk, or provide prevention and treatment strategies, patient engagement & empowerment and overall well-being. Applications can be in any area of research or patient care but should follow the mission of unique, innovative ideas, or laboratory research that is poised to be translated into the clinic but requires seed funding for initial clinical proof of principle. We encourage high risk/high reward ideas, but such applications should describe a “fast to fail” strategy that would enable a go-no go decision at the end of the one-year term of the award. It is expected that such applications can lead to a change in the paradigm of breast cancer prevention, diagnosis or therapy. Over the five-year period, up to 10 grants will be awarded at $50,000 each (total costs only) through an annual RFA process.
Collaborations proposing efforts utilizing new and novel technologies are encouraged, as well as projects that allow the gathering of preliminary data to support innovative ideas with potential to shift paradigms in breast cancer.
Eligibility Criteria:
1. All VU/VUMC/VICC faculty members are eligible to apply, including those with adjunct appointments, e.g., Meharry Medical Center. Junior faculty including Instructors and Research Assistant/Associate Professors are also eligible but must have a senior (Associate Professor/Professor) mentor named as part of the research team.
2. All research and or training support must be associated with the advancement of or innovation toward breast cancer.
3. Proposals are required to include multidisciplinary collaboration involving two or more academic divisions/departments partnering together on research opportunities.
4. Proposals should encompass efforts to be complete in a period no greater than 12 months.
5. Translational impact for patient care is a requirement for applications. Faculty are strongly encouraged to discuss with clinical oncology faculty the merits of their application for this criterion.
First Round Awards - Timeline:
· Notification of Grant Opportunity: 08/26/2020
· Receipt of Application: 09/26/2020
· Review of Awards: 10/26/2020
· Notification of Awards: 11/2020
· Funding Available: 11/2020
Funds Usage:
· Funds may be used only to support research costs and faculty and research staff effort, though total amount of faculty and research staff effort cannot exceed $10,000. Equipment purchases are not allowed.
· Total award includes 10% indirect costs
Deliverable Requirement:
· Research findings of awardees to be presented at a scientific retreat of all investigators and key personnel at VICC
· A short final progress report with financial report at the end of the funding period.
Submission Process:
Applications will be submitted via REDCap: https://redcap.link/Engineering.cross.fertilization2020.pilot
Applications instructions and template can be downloaded from the link above.
· Format: 3-page limit (not including title page or references), single-space, 1 inch margins, 11 point, Arial font. Use provided Word template.
· Proposals should be submitted via REDCap by 11:59pm on 09/26/2020
Please send any questions about this funding RFA to Jennifer Whisenant at email j.whisenant@vumc.org.