DF/HCC Nodal Award Pilot Project Program 2017 Special “Shark Tank” Edition

New award selection process for 2017

This year we are eliminating formal written proposals. Instead, we are asking teams to submit a 1-page idea for an inter-programmatic, collaborative pilot project. From these submissions, teams will be selected to pitch their idea, in person, to a panel of DF/HCC reviewers (like on the Shark Tank television show). The goal is to stimulate new innovative, high risk/high reward pilot project collaborations, without investing significant effort in preparing written proposals, and to encourage engagement and dialog among the DF/HCC community in a fun and stimulating setting. Presentation sessions will be open to the DF/HCC community and will be taped for later viewing.

How it works

  • Investigators form collaborative teams and submit a one-page project concept idea by August 31, 2017. Collaborations must be inter-programmatic, as described in the RFA.
  • Project concepts are reviewed by a panel of DF/HCC reviewers (the “Sharks”). From these submissions, teams will be selected to pitch their idea, in person, to the same panel of reviewers.
  • Teams will be notified before September 11, 2017 if they are selected for in-person review.
  • In-person “Shark Tank” review session will be held on the afternoon of September 28, 2017.
  • Teams selected to participate in the Shark Tank will prepare an informal, 10-15 minute presentation of their proposal and be prepared for 10-15 minutes of discussion with reviewers. The presentation should be modeled on a chalk talk; extensive preliminary results are not required, but clear and compelling innovation should be apparent.
  • Investigators should aim to size projects at approximately $75K per year, for two years. At the discretion of the reviewers, larger or smaller amounts may be awarded to teams, based on the results of the competition.
  • Areas of particular interest include:
  • This opportunity is open only to junior investigators(Instructor and Assistant Professor DF/HCC members).
  • Collaborations between investigators at two different DF/CCHCCHCC institutions are encouraged. Collaborations must involve members of two different DF/HCC programs.
  • Research projects that address issues relevant to the unequal burden of cancer and cancer outcomes in diverse populations, particularly in those who reside in Massachusetts, are of particular interest.

Shark Tank Panel of DF/HCC reviewers

A panel of 4-6 distinguished, senior faculty from DF/HCC institutions will serve on the review panel. The review panel will be announced at a later date.