DOD BREAST CANCER BREAKTHROUGH FELLOWSHIP AWARD | Apply Online

FAQs: DOD Breast Cancer Breakthrough Fellowship Award (FY16)

What is the DOD Breast Cancer Breakthrough Fellowship Award (FY16)?

It is a Department of Defense (DoD) Breast Cancer Research Program fellowship opportunity created to launch outstanding early-career scientists and physicians into independent, high-impact breast cancer research careers. It was offered for the first time in FY16 and is designed to support a postdoctoral fellow with both an ambitious research project and structured career development.

What is the main purpose of this fellowship?

The fellowship aims to support a postdoctoral-stage researcher in conducting innovative breast cancer-focused research with strong "breakthrough" potential, while also providing a structured researcher development plan so the fellow can transition into leading an independent research program.

Who is this fellowship intended for?

It targets recent doctoral or medical graduates who are in the postdoctoral stage and can demonstrate exceptional promise plus a clear commitment to remaining in the breast cancer research field long term.

Is the postdoctoral fellow considered the Principal Investigator (PI)?

Yes. A defining feature of this mechanism is that the postdoctoral fellow is treated as the PI. The fellow is expected to take primary ownership of the scientific narrative and the career development strategy, including drafting key application components, with appropriate mentor input.

Do applicants need prior breast cancer research experience to apply as PI?

Not strictly. Prior breast cancer research experience is not required for the PI, but the proposed research project and the training plan must be clearly centered on breast cancer.

What does the program mean by “breakthrough” potential?

The fellowship prioritizes projects that could substantially accelerate progress toward ending breast cancer, rather than incremental advances. Applications are expected to explain why the work could drive meaningful progress, either in the near term (such as influencing clinical decision-making sooner) or over the longer term (such as establishing a new scientific framework that later enables clinical translation).

Does the research need to have an immediate clinical application during the fellowship period?

No. Even if a clinical application is not immediately achievable within the fellowship period, the application is still expected to describe a credible pathway toward clinical impact for people with breast cancer or those at risk.

What kinds of downstream impact should the proposed research connect to?

The application should make clear how the work could ultimately change breast cancer prevention, detection, prognosis, or treatment, even if those impacts occur after the fellowship period.

How important is mentorship in this fellowship?

Mentorship is a structured requirement and a major feature of this mechanism. The mentor (or co-mentor) must demonstrate relevant breast cancer expertise and a clear commitment to guiding both the science and the fellow’s professional growth.

What qualifications are expected of the mentor?

The mentor (or co-mentor) is expected to have breast cancer expertise demonstrated by recent publications and active, peer-reviewed breast cancer funding.

What if the primary mentor does not have an established breast cancer track record?

If the primary mentor lacks an established breast cancer track record, the application must include a formal co-mentor arrangement with an experienced breast cancer investigator.

What should the application say about how the mentor will support independence?

The application is expected to explain how the mentor will help the fellow transition toward independence, including the mentor’s approach to training and fostering innovation.

Is a strong mentoring track record required for the mentor?

An extensive mentoring track record is described as beneficial. However, the program indicates that a weaker mentoring history can be offset if the overall researcher development plan is especially strong and well designed.

What is the researcher development plan, and why does it matter?

The researcher development plan is a core review element. It must be individualized, breast cancer-focused, and aligned with the goal of building an independent research career. Reviewers will evaluate how the proposed training and professional development activities, combined with the research plan, will position the fellow to become independent and innovative.

What should applicants include in the researcher development plan?

Based on the opportunity description, applicants should address why the research environment is well suited to their training, what specific professional development activities will be pursued, and how the combined research and training plan will produce independence and innovation.

Are preliminary data required?

No. Preliminary data can be included but are not required. This suggests the program is open to bold ideas as long as they are well justified with a sound scientific rationale and/or a thorough foundation in the literature.

Are multidisciplinary projects encouraged?

Yes. Multidisciplinary approaches are encouraged. If a project spans multiple disciplines, the application should explicitly describe how those pieces integrate and strengthen the overall strategy.

What signals of applicant excellence are reviewers looking for?

The opportunity notes that reviewers will look for evidence the applicant is among the strongest peers in their cohort. Examples mentioned include first-author publications and strong letters of recommendation, along with evidence of capacity to become a leading independent breast cancer researcher.

What is the funding opportunity number (FON) for this program?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH-16-BCRP-BREAKTHROUGHFELLOWSHIP.

Which organization administered this opportunity?

The opportunity was run by DOD-AMRAA (as described in the provided listing).

What is the CFDA number and program category listed for this opportunity?

The listing identifies CFDA 12.420 and describes the program as discretionary, in the science and technology/research and development category.

What award instruments were anticipated?

Awards could be made as grants and/or cooperative agreements.

What does the listing say about eligibility?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning it is open to any type of entity, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications in the full announcement.

When was the opportunity posted and when did it close?

The posting date was March 1, 2016, and the application closing date was May 5, 2016.

How many awards were anticipated?

The opportunity anticipated making about 15 awards.

Is the maximum award amount stated in the provided information?

No. While the listing references an award ceiling, the provided excerpt does not specify a dollar maximum.