Research > Investigators Only > Funding Opportunities

Funding Opportunities

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

ACS IRG Program

Cancer Center Pilot Projects Program

HIV/AIDS-Related Malignancy Research

Seed Money Support: Frequently Asked Questions

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

03/01/2010- 12/31/10

Next Deadline: January 15, 2010
Instructions: ACS IRG Instructions [Word Document]
Application Form: ACS IRG Application Form [Word Document]
Transmittal Form: Transmittal Form 2010 [Word Document]

Cancer Center Pilot Projects Program

The Abramson Cancer Center of the University of Pennsylvania will provide seed money grants up to $25,000 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 $25,000

Award Period

03/01/10 - 11/30/10

Next Deadline: January 15, 2010
Instructions: Pilot Projects Program Instructions [Word Document]
Application Form: Pilot Projects Program Application Form [Word Document]
Transmittal Form: Transmittal Form 2010 [Word Document]

ACC/CFAR HIV-Associated Malignancies Pilot Project Grants

For Application Guidelines: Pilot Grants in HIV/AIDS-Related Malignancy Research

The Penn Center for AIDS Research and the Abramson Cancer Center are pleased to announce this Request for Applications for pilot grants for research in HIV/AIDS-related malignancies. This opportunity has been made possible by supplemental funds ($250,000 Total Costs) provided by the National Cancer Institute.

The purpose of this RFA is to encourage and support research in basic, clinical, and epidemiologic aspects of HIV-related malignancies, with a particular emphasis on proposals that have a translational component. Faculty, who are members of the Penn-CFAR or ACC at the University of Pennsylvania, Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, or the Wistar Institute are eligible. In addition, preference will be given to applications that build collaborations between members of the CFAR and either of the two NCI-funded Cancer Centers on our campus (the Abramson Cancer Center and the Wistar Cancer Center).

Eligibility

• Applicants must be full-time faculty members at any of the CFAR’s participating institutions, the University of Pennsylvania, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, or the Wistar Institute. Non-faculty trainees and instructors are eligible to be included as co-investigators, and mentoring relationships between faculty and trainees are encouraged. Priority for funding will be given to applications that establish collaborative research activities between CFAR and Cancer

Funding Level

Maximum $40,000

Anticipated Award Start Date

03/01/2010

Next Deadline: February 1, 2010