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 and 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 years, 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:
- All Vanderbilt University/Vanderbilt University Medical Center/VICC faculty members are eligible to apply, including those with adjunct appointments, e.g., Meharry Medical College. Early career investigators, 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.
- All research and or training support must be associated with the advancement of or innovation toward breast cancer.
- Proposals are required to include multidisciplinary collaboration involving two or more academic divisions/departments partnering together on research opportunities.
- Proposals should encompass efforts to be complete in a period no greater than 12 months.
- Translational impact for patient care is a requirement for applications. Basic science faculty are strongly encouraged to discuss the merits of their application with clinical oncology faculty for this criterion.
Review Committee: A review committee will be convened to review grant proposals. The committee will be led by senior faculty and staff members at VICC.
Funds Usage:
- Funds may be used only to support research costs and faculty and research staff effort. The amount of faculty and research staff effort cannot exceed $10,000. Equipment purchases are not allowed.
Submission Requirements:
- Title page to include:
- Title of the proposed research
- Principal and participating investigator(s) (e.g., co-investigators, collaborators, etc.)
- Details of human subject or vertebrate animal involvement, including the status of the appropriate committee (e.g., IACUC or IRB) approval, if appropriate.
- Biographical sketches for the proposed investigator(s)
- Research proposal to include:
- Lay summary
- Specific aims
- Innovation
- Significance and background
- Experimental design
- Long term goal and timeline
- References
- Detailed budget for the project period using NIH PHS398 Detail Budget for Initial Budget Period (form page 4)
- Budget justification (include a certification that there is no financial or scientific overlap with existing projects)
- Two-page research proposal (excluding references) using 11-point, Arial font
Deliverable Requirement:
- Research findings of awardees to be presented at a scientific retreat including all investigators and key personnel at VICC
- A final written progress report, including financial reporting, will be required at the end of the funding period
All applications are due Monday, May 16, 2022. To submit your application electronically, please submit a single PDF containing all documentation through the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal. A link to the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal can also be found at the top right-hand corner of the VICC Funding Opportunities web page (http://www.vicc.org/research/funding/). In the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal, please select “Other” from the dropdown options, and specify the program title as “Richard S. Reynolds Foundation.” Notifications of awards will be made in July of 2022, with funding to begin in August 2022.
If you have further questions or comments, please contact Jenn Beiner (jenn.beiner@vumc.org)
