CALL FOR CONCEPTS

Significant disparities exist in cancer incidence and outcomes among minority and underserved populations. The objective of the partnership between Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) and University of Massachusetts Boston (UMB), which is currently funded by an NCI funded (U56) grant, is to address cancer health disparities in minority populations, and to improve research, training and outreach opportunities for under represented minority (URM) students fellows, and faculty.

The partnership is pleased to announce that it will be accepting Concept Papers for research, training, and outreach projects (at full and pilot level) for inclusion in the NCI Comprehensive Minority Institution/Cancer Center U54 application to be submitted in 2010.  

Project target areas:

• Cancer Research:

Projects in any area of basic, clinical, translational, prevention, control, behavioral, or population research.  Projects in which more than half of the budget goes to UMB must focus on research related to any aspect of cancer (including cancer disparities); projects in which more than half of the budget goes to DF/HCC must focus on cancer disparities.

• Cancer Training:

Joint training programs that link the faculty and students of UMB and DF/HCC. These programs should emphasize two aspects: (a) the training of minority investigators and (b) the recognition and understanding (by minority and non-minority trainees alike) of the issues and problems associated with cancer disparities in racial and ethnic minority and socio-economically disadvantaged populations

• Cancer Outreach:

Research programs to increase the use of and access to beneficial medical procedures, such as primary prevention measures e.g. smoking cessation and cancer vaccines, or early detection procedures, such as mammography, PAP smear, colorectal cancer screening or prostate specific antigen testing.

Eligibility:

All UMB-DF/HCC faculty collaborators are eligible to submit. Junior faculty are particularly encouraged to apply. All projects must be co-led by individuals from both UMB and DF/HCC.  Strong preference will be given to well established collaborations.

Submission Information:

Key Dates:
Concept Papers Due: September 1, 2009
Oral Presentations for internal review: September 23 - October 20, 2009
Projects selected for advancement:  October 21, 2009
Full write ups due: November 23, 2009
Oral presentations for external review:  December 10, 2009
Final drafts due:  February 1, 2010

Concept Paper Requirements:

• NIH Biosketches for project leaders and co-leaders.  All projects must be co-led by individuals from both the UMB and DF/HCC
• Current Other Support pages for project leaders and co-leaders
• Research proposal not to exceed 5 pages structured as follows:
  A. Specific Aims
  B. Preliminary Studies
  C. Research Design and Methods
  D. Plan for inclusion of URM students and/or faculty
  E. Plan for career development and mentorship for less experienced/junior investigator co-leaders
• Intention to submit as a full project (not to exceed $275K direct costs per year for up to 3 years) or pilot project (not to exceed $120K per year direct costs per year for up to 3 years)
• Evidence of successful collaboration between UMB and DF/HCC co-leaders (e.g. join publications, grants, ongoing projects, etc.)

Proposals may be submitted electronically to:
Jamielle Walker
jamielle.walker@umb.edu

Contact:
Jamielle Walker, Program Coordinator
jamielle.walker@umb.edu
617-287-6622

or

Sarah Weiler, PhD
Associate Director, DF/HCC Administration
Sarah_Weiler@dfci.harvard.edu

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  • Funding Announcements
  • DF/HCC Sponsored Funding
    • Disparities in Cancer: Faculty Diversity Funding Program
    • Nodal Awards
    • Timely Special Opportunity Awards
    • Small Grant Program to Support Events, Conferences, and Meetings
    • U56 Partnership Grant: DF/HCC and University of Massachusetts Boston
  • Funding Resources
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