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Funding Opportunities

The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania announces the availability of four types of seed money grants for faculty to conduct cancer-related research projects:

ACS IRG Program

Cancer Center Pilot Projects Program

HIV-Associated Malignancy Pilot Projects Program

Collaborative Research in RNA Biology and Cancer

Seed Money Support: Frequently Asked Questions

Name Eligibility Amount Deadline
ACS IRG 2008 Junior faculty who do not currently hold a national research grant Up to $30,000 12/15/2008
ACC Pilot Projects All Faculty Up to $50,000 12/15/2008
ACC Malignancies All Faculty $25,000 to $50,000 12/15/2008
RNA Biology All Faculty Up to $40,000 12/15/2008

American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant (ACS IRG) Program

Through an Institutional Research Grant from the American Cancer Society (ACS IRG), the Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania will provide seed money grants to junior faculty members (e.g., Assistant Professor within six years of their appointment) to initiate promising new cancer research projects with the object to obtain preliminary data enabling them to compete successfully for national peer-reviewed research grants. Hence, investigators who have a peer-reviewed national research grant are not eligible for this award.

NEW: Investigators who have previously received support from the Cancer Center ACS IRG are now eligible to apply for a second year of funding. Seed money grants from $5,000 to $30,000 will be awarded for the exploration of new developments in basic, translational clinical and cancer control research. Behavioral sciences or health services research related to cancer are eligible for these awards. Covered costs include laboratory personnel costs (non-faculty), data manager or research nursing support, laboratory supplies, animals, and small equipment; no travel or patient costs are allowed. Projects must have all necessary certifications to be eligible.

Eligibility

  • Previous ACS IRG recipients are now eligible to apply for a renewal of their grant for a second year of funding.
  • Only junior-level faculty are eligible - faculty within six years of their first independent faculty appointment or equivalent (e.g., Assistant Professor, Research Assistant Professor) who do not hold independent national competitive research grant.
  • Investigators who have an NIH Career Development (K) award are eligible if other requirements are met.
  • Investigators who had a national competitive research grant that was not renewed and are still within six years of their first independent faculty appointment, are eligible.
  • Citizens, non-citizen nationals, and permanent residents of the United States and its possessions or territories are eligible.

Ineligibility

  • Non-faculty (e.g., residents, fellows) are not eligible.

Funding Level

$5,000 - $30,000

Award Period

1/1/09- 12/31/09

Next Deadline: December 15, 2008
Instructions: ACS IRG Instructions [Word Document]
Application Form: ACS IRG Application Form [Word Document]
Transmittal Form: Transmittal Form 2009 [Word Document]

Cancer Center Pilot Projects Program

The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania will provide seed money grants up to $50,000 to University faculty members at any faculty level for innovative cancer research projects that have the potential for national peer-reviewed grant funding. Investigators who have already received peer-reviewed funding for their proposed projects will not be eligible for this award. However, investigators with new grants submitted to the NCI requiring a second submission (A1) are encouraged to apply for a pilot award. Investigators whose projects use Abramson Cancer Center Cores, involve significant new collaborations, and/or relate to the strategic priorities of the ACC are also encouraged to apply.

The Scientific Strategic Priorities are:

  • Identification of factors in the tumor microenvironment that promote carcinogenesis and tumor growth
  • Identification and characterization of cancer stem cells in solid tumors, and/or of understanding their interactions with the tumor microenvironment
  • Evaluation of novel compounds that target pathways required for tumor maintenance in investigator-initiated human trials that validate target effects
  • Identification of host genetic signatures and gene-environment interactions that predict cancer susceptibility and cancer outcomes
  • Elucidation of the mechanisms underlying key behavioral cancer risk factors (e.g. obesity, tobacco, and physical inactivity) and/or development of novel interventions to modify these factors and prevent cancer
  • Translation of evidence-based strategies for personalized risk assessment, prevention, and early detection into improved population health

Covered costs include faculty salaries, laboratory personnel costs, data management or research nursing support, laboratory supplies, animals, and small equipment; no travel or patient costs are allowed. Projects must have all necessary human subject or animal certifications to be eligible.

Eligibility

  • All full-time University faculty are eligible to apply for the Cancer Center Pilot Projects Program. The proposed area of research cannot be funded through an existing or prior peer-reviewed national research grant (i.e., NIH, ACS, DOD).

Ineligibility

  • Non-faculty (e.g., residents, fellows) are not eligible.

Funding Level

Maximum $50,000

Award Period

2/1/09 - 11/30/09

Next Deadline: December 15, 2008
Instructions: Pilot Projects Program Instructions [Word Document]
Application Form: Pilot Projects Program Application Form [Word Document]
Transmittal Form: Transmittal Form 2009 [Word Document]

Cancer Center HIV-Associated Malignancies Pilot Project Grants

The Cancer Center will provide Pilot Project Grants from $25,000 to $50,000 for Penn faculty members to conduct HIV-associated malignancy research. Full-time faculty of the University of Pennsylvania are invited to apply.

The Cancer Center HIV-associated malignancy Pilot Projects Program funds innovative, research projects that have the potential for future peer review funding. The award period for the HIV-associated malignancy pilot project program is from February 1, 2009 to November 30, 2009. An extension may be possible with a written request and approval 2 months before the expiration date.

Eligibility

  • All full-time University faculty are eligible to apply for the Cancer Center Pilot Projects Program. The proposed area of research cannot be funded through an existing or prior peer-reviewed national research grant (i.e., NIH, ACS, DOD).

Ineligibility

  • Non-faculty (e.g., residents, fellows) are not eligible.

Funding Level

$25,000-$50,000

Award Period

2/1/09 - 11/30/09

Next Deadline: December 15, 2008
Instructions: HIV-Associated Malignancies Pilot Projects Program Instructions [Word Document]
Application Form: HIV-Associated Malignancies Pilot Projects Program Application Form [Word Document]
Transmittal Form: Transmittal Form 2009 [Word Document]

Collaborative Research in RNA Biology and Cancer

The Abramson Cancer Center solicits applications in the broad field of RNA Biology and Cancer, with strong emphasis on the discovery of novel phenomena and mechanisms. Examples of specific areas include but are not limited to: 1) role of micro- and other non-coding RNAs in cancer pathogenesis, progression, and therapeutic responses, 2) RNA processing enzyme, 3) splicing alterations in cancer, 3) novel therapeutic approaches utilizing RNAi.

It is not the intention of the RFA to fund large-scale profiling studies, studies utilizing standard, commercially available RNAi reagents, or studies applying known approaches to another cancer type. It is anticipated that upon conclusion of the funded work, the successful applicants will submit a competitive application for extramural funding.

Eligibility

  • The proposed collaborative research must involve the meaningful participation of two or more investigators who are Penn faculty on either the tenure or research track.
  • The research proposed should not be (a) funded by an existing extramural or intramural source or (b) substantially similar to ongoing funded research.
  • The principal investigator must be a member or the Abramson Cancer Center (ACC) and a primary member of the Tumor Biology Program (TBP) within the ACC. The collaborating investigator (co-PI) does not have to be a member of the ACC or TBP. Membership in the RNA Interference and Cancer focus group is not a requirement for application. However, the PI and the co-PI of an awarded project are expected to join this focus group if they are not already members.

Ineligibility

  • Non-faculty (e.g., residents, fellows) are not eligible.

Funding Level

Maximum of $40,000

Award Period

2/1/09 - 11/30/09

Next Deadline: December 15, 2008
Instructions: Collaborative Research in RNA Biology and Cancer Program Instructions [Word Document]
Application Form: Collaborative Research in RNA Biology and Cancer Program Application Form [Word Document]
Transmittal Form: Transmittal Form 2009 [Word Document]

Links to External Funding Opportunities

Other External Links of Interest

NIH CRISP database: NIH maintains a complete list of current and past funded projects. This is a good resource for investigators trying to learn more about what kinds of research are supported.

NIH Grant Application Forms and Instructions

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Grants Net

Cancer Center and Penn Links of Interest

Office of the Vice Provost for Research - This web site provides links to numerous sites of interest to investigators including the Office of Research Services, the IRB, IACUC, and the University Research Foundation.

Cancer Center's Clinical Trials Scientific Review and Monitoring Committee

Cancer Center's Weekly Events Bulletin - Funding opportunities are regularly publicized in the Weekly Events Bulletin.
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