Funding Opportunities
Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center regularly solicits applications for pilot funding to support basic, translational, clinical or collaborative cancer research. Pilot funds allow investigators to collect preliminary data to support an application for independent research support through extramural, peer-reviewed funding. Over the past five years, the Cancer Center awarded $4.1 million to fund 98 pilot projects. This investment led to the acquisition of more than $41 million in extramurally funded grants – a 985 percent return on investment.
Calls for proposals are distributed throughout the year by email, online, and in campus publications. Award amounts and submission deadlines vary. All pilot project awards are funded for one-year periods.
For more information, contact us at vicc.fundingopportunity@vanderbilt.edu.
VICC Internal Funding
Award Focus: To support innovative cancer-related projects in need of preliminary data by providing funding to support paradigm-shifting, practice-improving, or policy-changing research.
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center announces a funding opportunity to support innovative cancer-related projects in need of preliminary data. The goal of this award is to provide funding to support paradigm-shifting, practice-improving, or policy-changing research.
Deadline:
Submission through the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal by midnight on March 27Application Form and Instructions
Interested applicants should electronically submit a single PDF containing a two-page application, a budget justification, and biosketches for the key investigator(s) through the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal by midnight on March 27. Applicants are encouraged to consider the wide range of expertise of the review panel (consisting of VICC senior leadership) when writing their application. Successful applications will have clear and concise explanations of aims, significance, innovation, and expected outcomes. Investigators must certify in their budget justification that there is no financial or scientific overlap with existing projects. In the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal, please select “CCSG pilot project.” VICC may require oral presentations of competitive projects to VICC Senior Leadership before final funding selections. Oral and written progress reports will be required at the end of the project period.
Description of Program
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center announces a funding opportunity to support innovative cancer-related projects in need of preliminary data. The goal of this award is to provide funding to support paradigm-shifting, practice-improving, or policy-changing research. It is not the purpose of this program to provide a bridge or additional funding for a current project. Instead, the funds are to establish a proof of concept and generate the preliminary data for high reward but potentially high-risk projects that will then be competitive for external funding. Both single PI and collaborative project proposals are eligible. As many as five grants with budgets not to exceed $80,000 will be awarded for projects beginning in May 2020 and running through April 2021 with the possibility of renewal for a second year.
The ranking will be by peer review, based on novelty and scientific merit. Reviewers are instructed to look for:- Significance and Innovation: defined as the possibility to open new areas of investigation, discover new concepts, generate new patient care strategies, or otherwise change the way we think about a cancer-related problem
- Projects that are not simply extensions of existing funded research
- Projects that are cancer-focused, although we ask you to view this concept with an inclusive, rather than exclusive, eye. All aspects of cancer research will be considered, and the Cancer Center continues to be committed to all areas of innovative cancer research
Award Focus: To support junior and established investigators who wish to enhance or refocus aspects of their research in breast cancer for the generation of preliminary data required for the submission of external, breast cancer-relevant grant applications (e.g. R type, DOD).
The VICC SPORE in Breast Cancer announces a Career Enhancement Program (CEP) funding opportunity which aims to attract, develop and mentor promising basic, translational and population-based research scientists, including physician scientists, into breast cancer research. The goal of this funding is to support junior and established investigators who wish to enhance or refocus aspects of their research in breast cancer for the generation of preliminary data.
Deadlines
All applications are due Monday, June 29, 2020. 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. In the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal, please select “Breast SPORE CEP” from the dropdown options.
Interested applicants for the Career Enhancement Program should submit the following:
- Cover letter which includes the title of the project, participating investigator(s), whether the proposed research will involve human subjects or vertebrate animals, and the status of the appropriate committee (e.g., IACUC or IRB) approval if appropriate.
- NIH biographical sketch for the applicant (and the mentor for junior faculty)
- Other support of the applicant (and the mentor for junior faculty) using the NIH PHS398 form
- Two-page research proposal (excluding references)
- Detailed budget for the project period using the NIH PHS 398 detailed budget form page (form page 4)
- Budget Justification (include a certification that there is no financial or scientific overlap with existing projects)
- For junior faculty, a letter from the department chair supporting the applicant’s proposal and commitment toward research supplies and providing specific assurances that space and resources are available for the applicant
Description of Program
The overall goal of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) SPORE in Breast Cancer is to conduct collaborative, multidisciplinary and mechanism-based translational research that will have the highest possible impact for women and men with or at risk for breast cancer. The VICC SPORE in Breast Cancer announces a Career Enhancement Program (CEP) funding opportunity which aims to attract, develop and mentor promising basic, translational and population-based research scientists, including physician scientists, into breast cancer research. The goal of this funding is to support junior and established investigators who wish to enhance or refocus aspects of their research in breast cancer for the generation of preliminary data required for the submission of external, breast cancer-relevant grant applications (e.g. R type, DOD).
Funds are available to qualified faculty from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University. For CEP, junior faculty are defined as investigators at the rank of assistant professor or equivalent who are eligible to apply as a principal investigator for grant support from national agencies (e.g., NIH, ACS, NSF). The investigator must be within six (6) years of their first independent research or faculty appointment and have a commitment from the institution for salary and space. Up to two $50,000 grants will be awarded for one-year projects beginning in August of 2020, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on measurable progress of impact.
Ranking will be by peer review, based on novelty and scientific merit with consideration given to the projects with relevance to breast cancer. A major criterion will be the perceived probability that the research project will lead to the submission of a competitive research grant application to the NCI or similar major source of extramural funding. The purpose of this program is not to serve as the sole source of funding for small projects, but rather to catalyze the generation of relevant preliminary data needed for a larger study. Other factors to be considered in the review will be the areas of expertise of the investigator(s), and the value of the project to the cancer research priorities of the VICC.
Award Focus: To support innovative, cancer-related projects aimed at answering questions of highest value that are strategically aligned with the VICC mission by providing funding that will lead to new paradigm-shifting discoveries.
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) announces a 2019 Provocative Questions funding opportunity to support innovative, cancer-related projects aimed at answering questions of highest value that are strategically aligned with the VICC mission. The intent is for investigators to develop their own provocative question and propose a plan for how it could be answered.
Deadlines:
Interested applicants should submit a one-page Letter of Intent (LOI), which should include their provocative question, an outline of their research strategy to address the question, and a biosketch for each proposed key investigator through the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal by midnight on February 18, 2019
Application Process:
Interested applicants should submit a one-page Letter of Intent (LOI), which should include their provocative question, an outline of their research strategy to address the question, and a biosketch for each proposed key investigator through the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal by midnight on February 18, 2019. In the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal, please select “Other Program.” After initial review, investigators with LOIs that are determined to meet the criteria of this call will be asked to provide a 10-minute presentation with 10 minutes for discussion to VICC Senior Leadership on April 4th, as well as a three-page proposal with an accompanying budget. Additional details on the full proposal will be sent to those investigators selected to present to the VICC Senior Leadership.
Description of Program
The Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) announces a 2019 Provocative Questions funding opportunity to support innovative, cancer-related projects aimed at answering questions of highest value that are strategically aligned with the VICC mission. The intent is for investigators to develop their own provocative question and propose a plan for how it could be answered. The goal of this award mechanism is to provide funding that will lead to new paradigm-shifting discoveries. The principal investigator must have current extramural funding for their independent research program, and the project should represent a new direction of research for the investigator or team. After peer review and evaluation by the VICC Executive Committee, the Cancer Center will award up to two Provocative Questions grants of $250,000 each, to be expended over two years. These awards will not be eligible for no-cost extensions.
The overall goal of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) SPORE in Breast Cancer is to conduct collaborative, multidisciplinary and mechanism-based translational research that will have the highest possible impact for women and men with or at risk for breast cancer. The VICC SPORE in Breast Cancer announces a Developmental Research Program (DRP) pilot funding opportunity focused on catalyzing innovative and transformative, breast cancer-related projects that promote discoveries in basic and translational research focused on metastatic disease.
Deadlines
All applications are due Monday, June 29, 2020. 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 “Breast SPORE DRP” from the dropdown options.
VICC may require oral presentations of competitive projects to VICC Senior Leadership before final funding selections. Oral and written progress reports will be required at the end of the project period.
If you have further questions or comments, please contact M. Allison Bowen (margaret.a.bowen.1@vumc.org).
Application Process:
Interested applicants for the Developmental Research Program should submit the following:- Cover letter which includes the title of the project, participating investigator(s), whether the proposed research will involve human subjects or vertebrate animals, and the status of the appropriate committee (e.g., IACUC or IRB) approval if appropriate.
- Biographical sketches for the proposed investigator(s)
- Other support of the applicant (and the mentor for junior faculty) using the NIH PHS398 form
- Two-page research proposal (excluding references)
- Detailed budget for the project period using the NIH PHS 398 detailed budget form page (form page 4)
- Budget Justification (include a certification that there is no financial or scientific overlap with existing projects)
Description of Program
The overall goal of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) SPORE in Breast Cancer is to conduct collaborative, multidisciplinary and mechanism-based translational research that will have the highest possible impact for women and men with or at risk for breast cancer. The VICC SPORE in Breast Cancer announces a Developmental Research Program (DRP) pilot funding opportunity focused on catalyzing innovative and transformative, breast cancer-related projects that promote discoveries in basic and translational research focused on metastatic disease. This funding aims to support junior and established investigators conducting high-risk, innovative research to support the generation of preliminary data required for the submission of external, breast cancer-relevant grant applications (e.g. R type, DOD).
Funds are available to qualified faculty from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University. Up to two $50,000 grants will be awarded for one-year projects beginning in August of 2020, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on measurable progress of impact.
Ranking will be by peer review, based on novelty and scientific merit with consideration given to the projects with relevance to metastatic breast cancer. A major criterion for this mechanism will be the perceived probability that the research project will lead to the submission of a competitive research grant application to the NCI or similar major source of extramural funding. The purpose of this program is not to serve as the sole source of funding for small projects, but rather to catalyze the generation of relevant preliminary data needed for a larger study. Other factors to be considered in the review will be the areas of expertise of the investigator(s), and the value of the project to the cancer research priorities of the VICC.
External Funding
Specific Area of Interest: Pfizer intends to provide up to two independent grants to organizations which will conduct a thorough educational needs assessment in the area of early therapy management with CDK 4/6 Inhibitors (CDK 4/6i) in mBC. The intent is to understand optimal ways to manage side effect profiles in the first 90 days of CDK 4/6i treatment that help patients appropriately stay on treatment and obtain maximum therapeutic benefit. These learnings will help to inform future medical education or healthcare quality improvement projects.
Deadlines
- Application Due Date: October 29, 2020
Application Form and Instructions
- Date RFP Issued: September 22, 2020
- Geographic Scope: United States
- Clinical Area: Oncology – Breast – Metastatic Breast Cancer (mBC)
- Link to full RFP: Needs Assessment – Early Therapy Management with CDK 4/6 Inhibitors in Metastatic Breast Cancer
Description of Program
Pfizer Global Medical Grants (GMG) supports the global healthcare community’s independent initiatives (e.g., research, quality improvement, or education) to improve patient outcomes in areas of unmet medical need that are aligned with Pfizer’s medical and/or scientific strategies.
Pfizer’s GMG competitive grant program involves a publicly posted Request for Proposal (RFP) that provides detail regarding a general area of interest, sets timelines for review and approval, and uses an internal Pfizer review process to make final grant decisions. Organizations are invited to submit an application addressing the knowledge gaps as outlined in the specific RFP.
For all independent medical education grants, the grant requester (and ultimately the grantee) is responsible for the design, implementation, and conduct of the independent initiative supported by the grant. Pfizer must not be involved in any aspect of project development, nor the conduct of the independent education program.
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American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (IRG) funds are designed to provide seed money to support junior faculty members with an interest in cancer research who do not have external grant support
Deadlines
- Applications due Monday, October 26, 2020 by 5:00 p.m.
Application Form and Instructions
- Instructions: https://www.vicc.org/research/funding-opportunities/acs-irg
- Application form: ACS Application Packet for IRG Pilot Project_Spring 2019
- Submission form: Please submit a single PDF containing all documentation through the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal.
Description of Program
Applications are being solicited for support by the American Cancer Society‐Institutional Research Grant (IRG). These funds are designed to provide seed money to support junior faculty members with an interest in cancer research who do not have external grant support. The ACS defines junior faculty as investigators at the rank of assistant professor or equivalent who are eligible to apply as a principal investigator for grant support from national agencies (e.g., NIH, ACS, NSF). New ACS guidelines allow IRG support to be renewed if the review committee feels that sufficient progress has been made toward the project goals. Eligible investigators must be within six (6) years of their first independent faculty appointment. Special Interests awards are available for faculty members with an interest in the psychosocial and behavioral aspects of cancer and are encouraged to apply. Funds are available to faculty from all schools at Vanderbilt University and Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Individual allocations are limited to a maximum of $30,000. The earliest possible start date for this funding cycle will be December 1, 2020 – November 30, 2021.Vanderbilt may nominate one candidate for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Foundation Young Investigator Award (YIA) for 2020. These awards provide $150,000 over a two year period for promising young investigators across a broad range of oncology specialties and areas of interest. In addition to the $150,000 award, awardees will be provided $575 for travel to attend the 2022 NCCN Annual Conference.
Deadlines:
Applications due November 14
Internal Application Process:
Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s nominee must submit the following (in PDF format) to through the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal by November 14, 2019 (COB). A link to the VICC Pilot Project Application Portal can also be found in the blue square located on the VICC Funding Opportunities web page (https://www.vicc.org/research/funding-opportunities).- Brief (2 page maximum) research plan including summary budget;
- Brief statement of support from department chair/division chief;
- NIH Biosketch or 5-page CV
Description of Program
Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.
Vanderbilt may nominate one candidate for the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) Foundation Young Investigator Award (YIA) for 2020. These awards provide $150,000 over a two year period for promising young investigators across a broad range of oncology specialties and areas of interest. In addition to the $150,000 award, awardees will be provided $575 for travel to attend the 2022 NCCN Annual Conference.
The Foundation invites proposals from early investigators with innovative ideas and an interest in improving the quality, effectiveness, and efficiency of care provided to cancer patients. A primary focus of the award is to identify and fund top investigators in the early stages of their careers interested in participating and contributing to cancer research. The NCCN Foundation also recognizes the growing need for evidence-based research in the areas of clinical treatment and management, health systems and delivery of care, quality of life for cancer patients, and patient education.
Review the official Request for Proposals, FAQs, and budget template in the NCCN Young Investigator Award section of the Office of Research website.
Eligibility: The award is open to physicians, scientists, nurses and others working in an oncology laboratory, clinical research or clinical setting, or cancer control program. Applicants must have:
- Medical degree – MD, DO or international equivalent or
- Scientific degree – PhD or international equivalent or
- Nursing degree – Masters or above or international equivalent.
- Proposed project must be conducted at Vanderbilt.
- Mentor in the proposed research field.
- Institutional commitment to support the research project.
- Candidates must be in their first full-time appointment at Vanderbilt and must remain in good standing for the duration of the award period.
- Candidates must not have other funding that duplicates the focus and purpose of this award.
