DoD Prostate Cancer Idea Development Award
The PCRP Idea Development Award mechanism was first offered in FY97. Since then, 6,070 Idea Development Award applications have been received, and 1,070 have been recommended for funding. The Idea Development Award supports new ideas that represent innovative approaches to prostate cancer research and have the potential to make an important contribution to the PCRP mission. Although groundbreaking research often involves a degree of risk, applications should be based on a sound scientific rationale that is established through logical reasoning and/or critical review and analysis of the literature. Due to this award’s emphasis on innovation, the presentation of preliminary data relevant to prostate cancer and the proposed project is encouraged but not required. Research deemed innovative may represent a new paradigm, challenge current paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities. Research that is an incremental advance upon published data is not considered innovative. The PCRP seeks applications from investigators from a wide spectrum of disciplines including, but not limited to, basic science, engineering, bioinformatics, population science, translational research, and clinical research. In addition, applicants are expected to address at least one of the PCRP focus areas and are highly encouraged to address one of the PCRP overarching challenges. If the proposed project does not address any of the overarching challenges, the application should include a description to justify how the project will nevertheless address a critical need in the field of prostate cancer research and/or patient care. New Investigators: The FY14 Idea Development Award mechanism encourages applications from investigators in the early stages of their careers. The New Investigator category of this award mechanism is designed to allow applicants early in their faculty appointments, or in the process of developing independent research careers, to compete for funding separately from established investigators. Applications from New Investigators and Established Investigators will be peer- and programmatically reviewed in separate groups. PIs using the New Investigator category are strongly encouraged to strengthen their applications through collaboration with investigators experienced in prostate cancer research and/or possessing other relevant expertise. It is the responsibility of the PI to describe how the collaboration(s) will augment his or her expertise to best address the research question. All New Investigator applicants must meet specific eligibility criteria as described in Section I.C., Eligibility Information. Research involving human subjects is permitted under this funding opportunity, but is restricted to studies without clinical trials. Correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial are particularly encouraged, provided that they are determined to be no greater than minimal risk by the IRB of record and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) Office of Research Protections (ORP), Human Research Protection Office (HRPO). For definitions and other information on clinical trials and clinical research overall, a Human Subject Resource Document is provided on the CDMRP eBRAP System at https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/Program.htm. All investigators applying to FY14 PCRP funding opportunities are encouraged to consider leveraging resources available through the PCRP-funded Prostate Cancer Biorepository Network (PCBN) (http://www.prostatebiorepository.org) and/or the North Carolina – Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP) (http://www.ncla-pcap.org) if retrospectively collected human anatomical substances or correlated data are relevant to the proposed studies. The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) intends that data and research resources generated under awards funded by this Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity be made available to the research community (which includes both scientific and consumer advocacy communities) and to the public at large. For additional guidance, refer to the General Application Instructions, Appendix 4, Section L.
Office: U.S. Army Medical Research Acquisition Activity
301-682-5507
