OARS funding Cancer

Rally funds research in the following areas: -Under-studied cancer types -Innovative approaches to childhood cancer research which could lead to advanced studies or clinical trials -Studies that are likely to lead to a clinical trial, personalized, alternative, or integrated research proposals -Quality of life and survivorship research proposals

This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is associated with the Beau Biden Cancer MoonshotSM Initiative that is intended to accelerate cancer research. The purpose of this FOA is to promote research on fusion oncoproteins in childhood cancers. Specifically, this FOA targets the following area designated as a scientific priority by the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP): Recommendation E. Intensify research on the major drivers of childhood cancers: Improve our understanding of fusion oncoproteins in pediatric cancer and use new preclinical models to develop inhibitors that target them. The goal of this FOA is to establish a consortium of collaborating research teams to advance our understanding of the biology and mechanisms of action of fusion oncoproteins in pediatric cancers, and to apply this knowledge towards developing targeted therapeutic approaches. Increased attention to this important but understudied field can help overcome existing barriers to progress and pave the way to novel therapeutic approaches with increased efficacy and fewer side effects than current options. The research teams comprising the Fusion Oncoproteins in Childhood Cancers (FusOnC2) Consortium will take a comprehensive approach to understanding the biology of fusion oncoproteins in childhood cancers and will use this information to inform strategies for therapeutic targeting.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to stimulate research in the interplay between cell death pathways in nave and drug resistant cancers. Regulated cell death, especially apoptosis and necroptosis, are natural barriers that restrict malignant cells from surviving and disseminating. Evasion of cell death mechanisms is one of the hallmarks of cancer contributing to tumor progression, metastases and resistance to therapy. Recent studies show that the machinery to activate different forms of cell death coexists in cells but the crosstalk of cell death pathways in cancer has not been systematically studied. Research into the intersection of cell death programs will allow for better defining markers of cell death pathway at the molecular level and offers the possibility that the specific mediators of cell survival may be inhibited and/or the mediators of cell death enhanced, driving nave and drug resistant cancer cells toward effective cell death.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to stimulate research in the interplay between cell death pathways in nave and drug resistant cancers. Regulated cell death, especially apoptosis and necroptosis, are natural barriers that restrict malignant cells from surviving and disseminating. Evasion of cell death mechanisms is one of the hallmarks of cancer contributing to tumor progression, metastases and resistance to therapy. Recent studies show that the machinery to activate different forms of cell death coexists in cells but the crosstalk of cell death pathways in cancer has not been systematically studied. Research into the intersection of cell death programs will allow for better defining markers of cell death pathway at the molecular level and offers the possibility that the specific mediators of cell survival may be inhibited and/or the mediators of cell death enhanced, driving nave and drug resistant cancer cells toward effective cell death.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to stimulate research in the interplay between cell death pathways in naïve and drug resistant cancers. Regulated cell death, especially apoptosis and necroptosis, are natural barriers that restrict malignant cells from surviving and disseminating. Evasion of cell death mechanisms is one of the hallmarks of cancer contributing to tumor progression, metastases and resistance to therapy. Recent studies show that the machinery to activate different forms of cell death coexists in cells but the crosstalk of cell death pathways in cancer has not been systematically studied. Research into the intersection of cell death programs will allow for better defining markers of cell death pathway at the molecular level and offers the possibility that the specific mediators of cell survival may be inhibited and/or the mediators of cell death enhanced, driving naïve and drug resistant cancer cells toward effective cell death.

The goal of this FOA is to establish a consortium of collaborating research teams to advance our understanding of the biology and mechanisms of action of fusion oncoproteins in pediatric cancers, and to apply this knowledge towards developing targeted therapeutic approaches. Increased attention to this important but understudied field can help overcome existing barriers to progress and pave the way to novel therapeutic approaches with increased efficacy and fewer side effects than current options. The research teams comprising the Fusion Oncoproteins in Childhood Cancers (FusOnC2) Consortium will take a comprehensive approach to understanding the biology of fusion oncoproteins in childhood cancers and will use this information to inform strategies for therapeutic targeting.

The purpose of this initiative is to establish an Academic-Industrial Partnership Program to develop new and/or validate existing technologies, methods, and assays for the capture and quantification of tumor associated cells, DNA, RNA, or exosomes in body fluids of patients with early stage disease or those at high risk; as well as distinguishing cancer from benign disease; or aggressive from indolent cancers. The precompetitive alliances with industry will harmonize and validate technologies, methods and assays associated with liquid biopsies.

The purpose of this initiative is to establish an Academic-Industrial Partnership Program to develop new and/or validate existing technologies, methods, and assays for the capture and quantification of tumor associated cells, DNA, RNA, or exosomes in body fluids of patients with early stage disease or those at high risk; as well as distinguishing cancer from benign disease; or aggressive from indolent cancers. The precompetitive alliances with industry will harmonize and validate technologies, methods and assays associated with liquid biopsies.

Grants of up to $130,000 over two years will be awarded to junior faculty researchers for innovative translational research projects in hematology/oncology, with a focus on hematologic malignancies, that can be either based around a clinical trial with strong correlative science or laboratory investigation.

To that end, the two organizations have issued a Request for Applications for projects that test feasibility and generate preliminary data. MRA and ACS have each committed $1 million for the awards. The combined $2 million will be used to fund Multidisciplinary Team Awards and Pilot Awards.

Through the program, grants of up to $60,000 will be awarded to community-based programs and/or healthcare agencies (e.g., community health centers, cancer centers, and women's health centers) that conduct outreach, provide breast health education, and help steer medically underserved women and men to breast cancer screening services and follow-up care, as needed. Programs should educate women in their communities about breast health and encourage women to talk with a doctor or nurse to understand their individual risk of breast cancer and at what age and how often they should be screened. In addition, applicants must incorporate into their programs systems to promote the re-screening of the women served by the program. Small, community-based organizations are encouraged to apply.

Grants will support projects anywhere along the cancer continuum from prevention and early detection to survivorship. Priority will be given to projects that focus on addressing cancer-related health disparities. As defined by the National Cancer Institute, cancer-related health disparities are adverse differences among specific population groups in cancer incidence (new cases), cancer prevalence (all existing cases), cancer death (mortality), cancer survivorship, and burden of cancer or related health conditions. By supporting communities that aim to eliminate cancer-related health disparities, the Community Partnership Program can help reduce the disproportionate impact of cancer.

To that end, the two organizations have issued a Request for Applications for projects that test feasibility and generate preliminary data. MRA and ACS have each committed $1 million for the awards. The combined $2 million will be used to fund Multidisciplinary Team Awards and Pilot Awards. 1) Multidisciplinary Team Awards: At least one grant of up to $1 million will be awarded in this category are designed to foster interdisciplinary collaborative research to promote transformational advances with the potential for rapid clinical benefit. Letters of Intent must be received no later than August. Upon review, selected applicants will be invited to submit full applications by October 31, 2017. 2) Pilot Awards: Up to five grants of up to $200,000 each will be awarded over two years to help seed the ground in this relatively young area of checkpoint irAE research. Applications must be received no later than October 16, 2017.

The purpose of this funding opportunity announcement (FOA) is to promote the discovery of novel small molecules that may enhance the ability of the immune system to selectively recognize and attack cancer cells. These small molecules could be further developed into stand-alone immunotherapeutics or synergistic partners for existing therapies, or as chemical probes for the discovery and validation of novel targets involved in anti-tumor immunity. Investigators from multiple scientific disciplines (immuno-oncology, tumor biology, screening technology, medicinal chemistry, and pharmacology) are encouraged to establish collaborative teams to discover and develop novel small molecule immunomodulators for cancer therapy. This FOA encourages the design of research projects that utilize the following phases of discovery research: 1) assay development specifically designed for immuno-oncology targets with the intent to screen for novel small molecule compounds that show potential as either probes or drugs, or as pre-therapeutic leads; 2) screen implementation for immunomodulatory targets to identify initial screening hits (from high throughput target-focused approaches or moderate throughput phenotypic- and fragment-based approaches); 3) hit validation through secondary orthogonal and counter screening assays, and hit prioritization; and 4) hit-to-lead optimization.

The Conquer Cancer Foundation was created by the American Society of Clinical Oncology to help drive dramatic advances in the prevention, treatment, and cures of all types of cancer. To that end, CCF funds breakthrough cancer research, shares cutting-edge knowledge with patients and physicians, and works to improve the quality of and access to care, with the goal of enhancing quality of life for all who are touched by cancer.

The foundation particularly encourages grant applications for a one-year period that will demonstrate the capabilities of new cancer researchers, or new cancer approaches by established cancer researchers. It is anticipated that this early-stage funding may lead to subsequent and expanded support from a government agency.

Unlike other "Dream Team" grant opportunities offered by SU2C in recent years, the SU2C Dream Team Translational Cancer Research Grant program is open to any type of translational cancer research. The program will support a single translational cancer research project that addresses a critical problem in patient care and has the potential to deliver near-term patient benefit through investigation by a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, expert team of investigators.

A single grant of up  to $100,000 over two years will be awarded to an established investigator working on novel approaches in gastric cancer research, including the fields of gastric mucosal cell biology, regeneration and regulation of cell growth (not as it relates to peptic ulcer disease or repair), inflammation (including Helicobacter pylori) as precancerous lesions, genetics of gastric carcinoma, oncogenes in gastric epithelial malignancies, epidemiology of gastric cancer, etiology of gastric epithelial malignancies, or clinical research with respect to the diagnosis or treatment of gastric carcinoma.

Do you want to present at the Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS), but don't have the funds to attend? Apply for the ABRCMS Student Travel Award! Applicants who are given a full travel award will receive conference registration, housing, airfare and a travel subsidy. Partial travel awardees will receive conference registration and/or housing.

Unlike other Dream Team grants offered by SU2C in recent years that focused on specific types of cancer, such as colorectal cancer or lung cancer, the SU2C Dream Team Translational Cancer Research Grant program is open to any type of translational cancer research. The program will support a single translational cancer research project that will address critical problems in patient care and deliver near-term patient benefit through investigation by a multidisciplinary, multi-institutional, collaborative Dream Team of expert investigators.