RFP: Endometrial Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) Grant

October 25, 2022


The Gynecologic Cancers Program of the Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (DF/HCC) is starting to plan for an Endometrial Cancer Specialized Program of Research Excellence (SPORE) grant.   We are seeking potential projects that are focused on exceptional investigator-initiated research that will contribute to improved prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of Endometrial Cancer.  SPORE projects must have the goal of reaching a translational human endpoint within the project period of the grant of 5 years. 

Per the NIH Program Announcement, PAR-20-305, in each SPORE project, at least one of the following types of human endpoints should be proposed:

    • Early phase clinical trials of new investigational drugs, biologics, experimental procedures, medical devices, or combinations;
    • Early phase clinical trials of new combinations or new uses of Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved agents and devices; 
    • Discovery and development of biomarkers, only when measurements are made in human specimens, or directly in human subjects;
    • Laboratory studies that begin with an observation in the clinic and use human specimens to generate new clinical hypotheses;
    • Population, behavioral, or psychosocial studies, when these studies address and measure mechanistic aspects of the biology of the disease; 
    • Investigational new drug (IND)-directed toxicology studies conducted following a pre-IND meeting with the FDA in which the plan proposed by the investigators is acceptable to the FDA.


We are looking for a one-page Project Description with the following format:
I.    Title of proposed Project
II.   Leaders of the Project and their Institutions
III.  Brief Description of the project.   This should also include how the project will reach a translational human endpoint within the project period of the 5-year grant.

The due date for submitting the project proposal is Friday December 16th, please put “Endometrial Cancer SPORE project” in the subject line of the email, and please send the one page Project Description in a pdf file to Kati Poulin at KatianneE_Poulin@dfci.harvard.edu.  Kati will send a return email confirming receipt of the proposal. 

If there are any questions, please do not hesitate to contact any of the following GYN program leaders:
Ursula Matulonis:  ursula_matulonis@dfci.harvard.edu
Cesar Castro:   Castro.Cesar@mgh.harvard.edu
Alan D’Andrea:  Alan_DAndrea@dfci.harvard.edu