Funding - Multi-Tier Developmental Research Funding

MULTI-TIER DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

The mission of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) is to alleviate cancer death and suffering through pioneering research; innovative, patient-centered care; and evidence-based prevention, education and community activities. VICC aims to further this mission through the support, conduct and enhancement of state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary basic, clinical and population-based research. To further this aim, VICC announces a new program for Developmental Research Funding; a multi-tier, rolling pilot funding opportunity focused on supporting novel, innovative cancer-relevant projects. This funding aims to support VICC members conducting high-risk, innovative, impactful research to support the generation of preliminary data required for the submission of external, cancer-relevant grant applications (e.g., NIH R, U, or P type; DOD). The purpose of this funding mechanism is to provide VICC members the option to apply for the level of funding needed to support their project.

Three funding tiers are available to qualified VICC members from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University. Rolling grants will be awarded for one-year projects beginning in January of 2021, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on measurable progress of impact.

Three Tiers of Support are Available to VICC Members:

TIER 1 – Requests < $3,000
TIER 2 – Requests between $3,000 and $10,000
TIER 3 – Requests > $10,000

Investigators may be awarded annually up to two Tier 1 or Tier 2 awards or one Tier 3 award. Applications will be assessed by peer review, based on scientific merit. All meritorious Tier 1 applications are expected to be funded with three weeks provided funds are available. Tier 2 applications will undergo a second layer of review to ensure equitable distribution of funds amongst VICC programs and priorities. A major criterion for Tier 3 funding will be the perceived probability that the research project will lead to the submission of a major competitive research grant application to the NCI or similar major source of extramural cancer funding. Only the most innovative and impactful Tier 3 applications will be competitive. 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 leading to a larger study/grant.

Application Requirements, Evaluation and Progress Report Schedule for Multi-Tier Funding Levels

TIER 1

Project summary (< 250 words); summary should include premise, aim, brief approach statement, and expected outcomes
Statement of cancer relevance (< 100 words)
NIH Biosketch
Proposed budget summary and justification (< 200 words); if applicable, include relationship to existing grants
List of trainees, if applicable
List of Shared Resources utilized, if applicable
Rolling evaluation by selected VICC Senior Leadership
Post-award three-month Progress Report, then annually

TIER 2

Project summary (< 1,000 words); summary should include: background, premise, aims, approaches, expected outcomes and statement of significance. Up to 10 references may be included.
Statement of cancer relevance (< 100 words)
NIH Biosketch
Proposed budget summary and justification (< 300 words); if applicable, include any overlap the proposed project has to existing grant support and how this additional funding will expand/supplement upon your current grant support.
List of trainees, if applicable
List of Shared Resources utilized, if applicable
Applications will be evaluated monthly by selected VICC Senior Leadership
Post-award six-month Progress Report, and a final (annual) report

TIER 3

Pre-application: Project summary (< 1,000 words); summary should include: background, premise and rationale, aims, approaches, expected outcomes, and statement of significance. Up to 10 references may be included
Statement of cancer relevance (< 100 words)
NIH Biosketch
Proposed budget summary and justification (no character limit); if applicable, include any overlap the proposed project has to existing grant support and how this additional funding will expand/supplement upon your current grant support.
List of trainees, if applicable
List of Shared Resources utilized, if applicable
Pre-applications will be evaluated by VICC Senior Leadership and selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application. Full application instructions will be provided to selected applicants.
Post-award six-month Progress Report, and a final (annual) report

To submit your application, please complete the REDCap survey through the link below. Pilot Funding Application

Please note: All funds awarded must adhere to National Institutes of Health (NIH) and federal grants policies, cost principles and regulations. These funds may not be used to purchase capital equipment (over $5,000).

For additional information or questions, please contact Jenn Beiner, Senior Program Manager for VICC Research Administration, at jenn.beiner@vumc.org.