The following funding news and opportunities were collected recently by Cancer Center Pre-Award Services and published in Cancer Center Update, a weekly e-newsletter for members and staff.

Visit the Research Funding Resources page for links to resources you can use to search for funding as well as University resources essential to application processes.

February 26

Cancer Center Internal Grants Program
University of Minnesota - Cancer Center
Statement of Intent due date (NEW): Friday, March 14, 2008—can be submitted online
Application Receipt Date: Friday, April 18, 2008
Funding: Varies by program
Six internal grant programs are available through the Cancer Center. The goal of these programs is to foster the development of and provide support for novel research ideas that focus on a problem in cancer. In turn, the Cancer Center expects that internal funding will lead to nationally peer reviewed funding. The various internal grants programs are: Brainstorm, Cancer Population Sciences, Translational Breast Cancer Research, Translational Sarcoma Cancer Research, Transdisciplinary Tobacco Use Research Center (TTURC) and Leukemia Research. The Statement of Intent and details regarding each mechanism can be found on the Cancer Center Web site.

The contact person at the Cancer Center is Aaron Schilz, Pre-Award Services coordinator (schil226@umn.edu; 612-624-0650).

American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant
Deadline: April 1, 2008
Funding: Up to $30,000
American Cancer Society Institutional Research Grant applications are being accepted until April 1, 2008. This grant is for assistant professors who have no independent national funding and are engaged in cancer-related research. Cancer-related research includes genetic mechanisms of cancer, molecular mechanisms of cancer progression and metastasis, development of novel cancer therapeutic models and translational research, cancer immunology and immunotherapy. Funding is available up to $30,000. Applications may be obtained by calling LeeAnn Micek, 612-626-1926 or sending email to micek003@umn.edu.

Request for Nominations for the Forbeck Scholar Award
William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation
Nomination deadline: April 3, 2008
Funding: Travel and related expenses to attend the Foundation Forum
The Foundation is seeking outstanding junior clinical or postdoctoral fellows to attend the annual Foundation Forum, "Immunotherapy and Breaking Tolerance," November 6-9, 2008 in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina. Chairs of the 2008 Forum are Dr. James Allison (Memorial Sloan Kettering) and Dr. Stanley Riddell (Fred Hutchinson Cancer Institute). Award recipients will have an unrivaled opportunity to interact with international experts in a particular field of cancer research.

The scholarship covers travel to the meeting and expenses incurred during the event. Nomination must be made by a letter of recommendation from the applicant's director of studies. The letter should include a short synopsis of the applicant's research interest and a brief explanation of why this individual is recommended. The applicant's CV and contact information should be attached to the letter. The nomination packet should be emailed to the William Guy Forbeck Research Foundation, jforbeck@wgfrf.org or jforbeck@att.net.

Therapies for Hematopoietic Syndrome, Bone Marrow Stromal Cell Loss and Vascular Injury Resulting From Acute Exposure to Ionizing Radiation
Biodefense Advance Research & Development Authority (BARDA)
BAA-BARDA-08-08
Deadline: April 17, 2008
Pre-solicitation notice available at FedBizOpps.
It is anticipated that multiple cost-reimbursement, completion type contracts will be awarded for a period of up to three (3) years beginning on or about September 16, 2008. BAA-BARDA-08-08 will be available electronically on or about March 6, 2008 and may be accessed through the Federal Business Opportunities web site.

MN-Mayo Research Infrastructure Proposals
Deadline: May 23, 2008 at 4 p.m.
Funding: Total awards for investments in research infrastructure (equipment or facilities) of up to $5 million.
Awards of any size greater than $50,000 will be considered as long as all criteria are met.
The proposal must be a coordinated project between the Mayo Clinic and the University of Minnesota, building on existing resources and enhancing combined capabilities. It should not duplicate resources already available at either institution, must contribute to the success of existing and future partnership research projects, must build on existing partnership strengths (either adds to an area of competitive advantage or fills gap to yield competitive advantage), and must be applicable for research in an area related to human health and disease

Questions about the application process should be directed to either: Mark S. Paller, M.D., M.S., Assistant Vice President for Research, University of Minnesota Academic Health Center, palle001@umn.edu or Eric D. Wieben, Ph.D., Director, Mayo Genomics Research Center, wieben.eric@mayo.edu.

Comparative Systems Genetics of Cancer (R01)
(RFA-CA-08-017)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): May 14, 2008
Funding: Up to $375,000/yr. (Direct Costs) for up to 5 years
The focus of this Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is on interdisciplinary projects that use comparative (cross-species) systems genetics to gain significant insights into the genetic and environmental bases for human cancer susceptibility and heterogeneity of human tumors.  The ultimate objective is to provide the knowledge for defining individuals at risk of developing cancer and for individualized clinical decisions.  To address these goals, applicants responding to this FOA are encouraged to assemble appropriate collaborations to provide expertise in such areas as human genetics, molecular epidemiology, statistical genetics, model organism genetics, systems biology, mathematical or computational modeling of biological processes and gene networks, and bioinformatics. 

Tumor Stem Cells in Cancer Biology, Prevention, and Therapy (R01)
(RFA-CA-08-019)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): May 12, 2008
Funding: Up to $400,000 (Direct Costs) over a 5 year period
The Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is intended to stimulate multidisciplinary integrative and collaborative research on all aspects of tumor stem cell biology with a strong emphasis on translational research. An improved understanding of the biology of tumor stem cells is expected to facilitate the development of effective preventive and therapeutic strategies. The identification of new biomarkers for improved cancer detection, diagnosis, and prognosis is also possible.

February 19

2008 Planning Grants in Health Disparities Research Program
Sponsored by: University of Minnesota Medical School Program in Health Disparities Research; Academic Health Center Office of Clinical Research; the University of Minnesota Cancer Center; and the Office for Business & Community Economic Development (with Medica)
Deadline: letter of intent due April 13, 2008; see RFP for complete schedule
Funding: Up to six awards for $10,000-$20,000
These grants are designed to encourage community-initiated research and foster sustainable and long-term collaborative research between community-based organizations and academic researchers on projects focused on eliminating health disparities. This request for proposals (RFP) is directed to community organizations in Minnesota. Some funding partners would like to support cancer-related research and those addressing health disparities in North Minneapolis, however all research topics in health disparities regardless of location within Minnesota will be considered. Funding decisions will be based on the scientific quality of each proposal and their potential for reducing health disparities.

Prostate Cancer Foundation Young Investigator Awards
Deadline: April 16, 2008
Funding: $75,000 per year for three years
The Prostate Cancer Foundation (PCF) has announced a new funding program for early career prostate cancer researchers. PCF intends to fund 100 young investigators over the next five years and anticipates naming about 15 this year. Consistent with the PCF's goal to end death and suffering from prostate cancer, these awards focus efforts on developing a gifted cohort of investigators to undertake the next generation of prostate cancer research. The awards will provide financial support to advance the career and research efforts of the awardees. PCF encourages all eligible candidates to apply. Mentorship is required for every PCF Young Investigator Award applicant and grantee. The organization beseeches established investigators to identify, mentor, and encourage qualified candidates to apply for this award.

February 12

2008 AHC Faculty Seed Grant Program
Academic Health Center
Deadline: April 4,2008
Funding: $25,000 for 1 year.
15 awards will be funded with a maximum of $25,000 per project. These grants are designed to support new areas of research and to help develop innovative projects that will allow faculty to expand their research. Proposals from all areas of research within the AHC are welcome.

2008 AHC Translational Research Grant Program
Academic Health Center
Deadline: May 16, 2008
Funding: Maximum of $200,000 over two to three years
Three new grants will be funded in the amount of $200,000 or less (over two to three years). These grants are designed to move concepts developed at this institution from basic work to clinical testing. Proposals require a pairing of at least two co-investigators, either a basic scientist with a translational researcher or a translational researcher with a clinical researcher. AHC faculty members with an N, P, I, J, or K appointment and employment through the University are eligible.

Department of Defense Breast Cancer Research Program
Department of Defense
Deadline: Varies. See specific announcement. Pre-applications due beginning March 2008.
Funding: Various totals and durations. See specific announcement.
The DoD Breast Cancer Research Program (BCRP) has received $138 million for fiscal year 2008. On February 6, 2008 the BCRP has released eight Program Announcements describing funding mechanisms for 2008. The 7 eligible funding mechanisms are as follows: Clinical Translational Research Awards, Era of Hope Postdoctoral Awards, Era of Hope Scholar Awards, Innovator Awards, Idea Awards, Impact Awards, and Synergistic Idea Awards. Please refer to this pdf for a synopsis of all announcements.

Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program
Department of Defense
Deadline: Details on deadlines will be available in Feb. and March as the various Program Announcements are released.
Funding: Various totals and durations. See specific announcement.
The DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) has received $80 million for fiscal year 2008. The FY08 PCRP program announcements for proposals in the following mechanisms are anticipated to be posted and available on Grants.gov between January and February, 2008. The various eligible programs are as follows: Health Disparity Research Award, Health Disparity Training Award, Clinical Consortium Award, Clinical Trial Award, Laboratory—Clinical Transition: Stage I Award, Idea Development Award, Synergistic Idea Development Award, New Investigator Award, Physician Research Training Award, and the Prostate Cancer Training Award. Please visit the Web site for more information about each funding mechanism and updates on deadlines.

Department of Defense Ovarian Cancer Research Program
Department of Defense
Deadline: Details on deadlines will be available in Feb. and March as the various Program Announcements are released.
Funding: Various totals and durations. See specific announcement.
The DoD Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) has received $10 million for fiscal year 2008. The FY08 OCRP Program Announcements for proposals in the following mechanisms are anticipated to be posted and available on Grants.gov in February 2008. The various eligible funding mechanisms are as follows: Idea Development Award, Translational Partnership Award, Career Development Award, and the Consortium Development Award. Please click on the link for more information about each funding mechanism and updates on deadlines.

February 5

No listings were published.