Cellular and Structural Biology | Funding Opportunity
Department of Cellular & Structural Biology

CPRIT Funding Opportunity

Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas:

 

November 2, 2009
CPRIT News

 

CPRIT releases a new grant application for a Multi-Investigator Research Award (MIRA).
CPRIT announces today's release of the MIRA RFA - its latest request for research applications.
The RFA is available on the CPRIT website: http://www.cprit.state.tx.us/

 

The MIRA request seeks integrated programs of collaborative and cross-disciplinary research among multiple investigators for projects in critical areas of cancer research that cannot be effectively addressed by an individual researcher or a group of researchers within the same discipline Teams are encouraged to focus on critical areas of cancer research, especially those areas that have been inadequately addressed or where there is an absence of an established paradigm or technical framework. These awards are expected to promote a cooperative environment that fosters intensive interaction among members in all aspects of the research project. The Institute will only fund collaborative approaches that are expected to transform the research process through the integration of basic and/or clinical disciplines, leading to the aggressive translation of scientific discoveries (including the development of databases and tissue banks) into tools and applications that have the potential to significantly impact cancer incidence, detection, treatment, and mortality. Targeted areas include a statewide data/tumor repository, a Texas Clinical Trials Consortium, drug discovery and development platforms, and imaging consortiums.

 

CPRIT encourages Texas cancer investigators to bring their best ideas forward for consideration. Creative collaborative projects that address critical questions should leverage Texas cancer research into a leadership position from both the national and international perspective. Federal programs should not be duplicated. Instead, teams should focus on enhancing the impact of the programs in Texas.

 

Teams seeking less than $3 million should file a letter of intent. Teams seeking more than $3 million should file a pre-application. These will help CPRIT align its peer review committees with the expected applications, to offer suggestions about the optimal response to the RFA, and to encourage/suggest collaborations to assemble Texas "dream teams" representing the best science in state. CPRIT will accept letters of intent and pre-applications through its web-based grant portal: http://www.cpritgrants.org beginning November 13, 2009 until January 5, 2010. Applicants are urged to submit their pre-applications and letters of intent as soon as possible - CPRIT will provide a rolling response to the pre-applications as they are submitted.

 

MIRA applications will be accepted starting February 12, 2010 through March 1, 2010. Applications will be reviewed March - May, 2010, and award notifications are expected in June 2010.

 

The MIRA application is intended for institutions, universities, and governmental and non-governmental organizations. Companies may participate as collaborators. A separate RFA specifically targeted for public and private companies is under development and will be released shortly.

 

CPRIT Foundation Hosts Policy Roundtable Discussion
On October 21, 2009, the CPRIT Foundation held its inaugural Breakthrough Dinner and Policy Roundtable in Austin, bringing together top researchers, politicians and business leaders from throughout the state. At the dinner, keynote remarks were made by Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst and Dr. Robert C. Young, President of RCY Medicine and Former Chancellor of the Fox Chase Cancer Center. Special presentations of the Champion Award were made to Senator Jane Nelson, Representative Jim Keffer and Representative Patrick Rose.

 

The CPRIT Roundtable Meeting provided an opportunity for nationally-recognized cancer researchers, lawmakers, and the CPRIT Foundation Board of Directors to have a high-level discussion about cancer prevention and research as well as identify the priorities for the Institute. CPRIT Scientific Officer Dr. Al Gilman led the discussion. Many of the participants discussed ways for CPRIT to distinguish itself from NCI and other cancer funding programs. Recommendations for the Institute included establishing a statewide clinical trials network, recruiting top talent to the state, focusing on team science and integrative/system science approaches, and leveraging commercialization opportunities. Recommendations for prevention program strategies included increased screening for colorectal, breast, and cervical cancer and dissemination of prevention information to community clinics in all regions of the state. A summary of the Roundtable discussion is available here: Roundtable Summary

 

Other Open RFAs
In addition to the newly posted MIRA RFA, five other RFAs are currently open - including the first two prevention grant applications. The deadline for Evidence-Based Prevention Programs and Services program application and for the Health Program, Public Education, and Outreach program application is November 13, 2009. Click here http://www.cprit.state.tx.us/funding.html#Prevention for the prevention RFAs.

 

Bill Gimson
Executive Director
Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas