DANA-FARBER/HARVARD CANCER CENTER SPORE IN BREAST CANCER

Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE)

An NCI funded program

Grant 1P50CA168504

REQUEST FOR APPLICATIONS: Developmental Research Program

Eligibility: Harvard (including Broad Institute) faculty members at anylevel(instructor, assistant professor, associate professororprofessor). Clinical, population or lab-based researchers are all eligible. Underserved minority investigators are strongly encouraged to apply.

Purpose: advance high quality, novel, early-phase research, to foster new ideas in breast cancer research and to move research projects from a pilot stage to a level where external funding for more mature research is possible.

Focus:Prevention and Epidemiological research in breast cancer.Projects focused onbreast cancer risk and prevention,impact of exercise onrisk of breast cancer, link between immune/inflammatory markers and breast cancer, and prevention of triple-negative breast cancer are particularly encouraged, but others are welcome and encouraged to apply.

Range of Awards: One or twoawards of approximately $50,000 direct costs will be awarded.

Submission Deadline: 5:00 p.m.- Friday, December 1, 2017

Award date: February 1, 2018 – July 31, 2018

Note: Funding will be for a six-month period. Project must be achievable in the above 6 month period, with awarded

funds spent in full.

Selection Criteria: a review committee will make the award based on these criteria:

  • Innovation of scientific questions in breast cancer
  • Ability to generate critical preliminary data
  • Potential for future clinical impact on breast cancer patients
  • Translational scientific merit of research proposal
  • Enthusiasm of the applicant to participate in the Breast SPORE
  • Interest on the part of the applicant to use SPORE resources
  • Programmatic needs of the SPORE

Application Materials: e-mail the following materials in a single PDF file to

  • Nominating letter from a senior faculty member who will serve as the applicant’s primary mentor. The letter should outline the research and career plan for the candidate.
  • Letter of institutional support from the applicant’s department chair or division chief providing evidence of institutional support and a guarantee of protected time, research space, and office space.
  • NIH format Biosketch (5-page maximum)
  • Detailed Budget: categorizing expenditures
  • FOR INSTITUTIONS OTHER THAN DFCI, A STATEMENT OF INTENT FORM SIGNED BY AN INSTITUTIONAL OFFICIAL IS REQUIRED.
  • Proposal concept describing the applicant’s interest in a career in breast cancer research, the benefits of becoming involved in the SPORE, and how the proposed project fits in the context of the candidate’s career development.

Submissions should be a maximum of four-pages not including an abstract and references

Proposals should follow a standard format that includes specific aims, background, preliminary studies, and approach (note: preliminary data is not required but a record of earlier accomplishments is preferred).

A mentoring section including the establishment of a mentoring committee is required.

Applicants may meet with a SPORE biostatistician for a consultation if desired.

NO SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION WILL BE ACCEPTED. ADHERENCE TO THE SUBMISSION REQUIREMENTS IS MANDATORY FOR INCLUSION IN THE REVIEW.

Please send any questions to