DoD Breast Cancer Postdoctoral Fellowship Award | Apply Online

DoD Breast Cancer Postdoctoral Fellowship Award (CDMRP) - FAQs

1) What is the DoD Breast Cancer Postdoctoral Fellowship Award?

It is a funding opportunity from the Department of the Army (USAMRAA) under the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) intended to launch the careers of outstanding new postdoctoral scientists and physicians committed to breast cancer research.

2) What is the main purpose of this fellowship?

The core purpose is to support innovative, high-impact breast cancer research projects conducted during postdoctoral training, while also providing structured mentorship and professional development designed to help the fellow become an independent investigator at the leading edge of the field.

3) Who is this award designed to support?

The program is aimed at applicants who are top performers among their peers and who can demonstrate, through their track record and recommendations, the drive and potential to build a long-term research career focused on breast cancer.

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

Yes. A defining feature of the award is that the postdoctoral fellow is treated as the PI and is expected to take real ownership of the application and the proposed work.

5) What does it mean for the fellow to be the PI in practical terms?

It means the fellow is expected to lead the development of the application, including writing the project narrative and the training plan, while receiving appropriate guidance from the mentor.

6) Does the PI need prior breast cancer research experience to apply?

No. The fellowship does not require that the PI already have a background in breast cancer research. However, both the proposed research project and the training experience must be clearly centered on breast cancer.

7) What must the proposed project focus on?

The proposed research project must be clearly centered on breast cancer, and the training experience supported by the fellowship must also be centered on breast cancer.

8) What do reviewers emphasize when evaluating applicants?

Reviewers are directed to focus heavily on the fellow's likelihood of becoming an independent breast cancer researcher. Particular attention is given to qualifications, measurable accomplishments (such as first-author publications), and strong letters of recommendation that speak to scientific ability, initiative, and trajectory.

9) What kinds of accomplishments are specifically highlighted as important?

The opportunity description calls out measurable accomplishments such as first-author publications as examples of the type of record that can help demonstrate readiness and potential.

10) How important are letters of recommendation?

They are emphasized as a key part of the evaluation, especially when they clearly speak to the applicant's scientific ability, initiative, and long-term trajectory as a researcher.

11) What role does mentorship play in this fellowship?

Mentorship is a major emphasis of the award. The application is expected to present a strong mentorship environment that supports both the proposed research and the fellow's development toward independence in breast cancer research.

12) What qualifications must the mentor (and any co-mentor) have?

The mentor (and any co-mentor) must have relevant breast cancer expertise and be able to document that expertise through publications and active, peer-reviewed breast cancer funding.

13) What must the mentor demonstrate in the application?

The mentor must show a clear commitment to guiding the fellow's research and training, document experience conducting innovative research, and describe in concrete terms how they will support the fellow's development in breast cancer.

14) What happens if the primary mentor does not have a strong breast cancer research track record?

If the primary mentor lacks a strong breast cancer research track record, the application must include a formal co-mentorship arrangement with an established breast cancer researcher to ensure credible, field-specific guidance and access to relevant networks.

15) Is a limited mentor training history considered a weakness?

It can be viewed as a weakness if a mentor does not have an extensive history of training pre- and postdoctoral researchers. However, the solicitation notes this can be mitigated if the training plan is otherwise exceptionally strong and well-constructed.

16) What type of funding instrument is used for this opportunity?

The funding instrument is listed as a cooperative agreement/grant supporting science and technology and other research and development activities.

17) When was this opportunity posted?

It was posted on May 10, 2013.

18) What was the application deadline?

The application deadline was July 2, 2013.

19) What is the archive date listed for this opportunity?

The archive date is August 1, 2013.

20) How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making about 20 awards.

21) What was the estimated total funding amount?

The estimated total funding amount was $9,000,000.

22) What CFDA number is associated with this program?

The opportunity falls under CFDA 12.420 (Military Medical Research and Development).

23) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching is not required.

24) Who is eligible to apply?

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

25) Who should be contacted for technical access issues with the full announcement?

For technical access issues with the full announcement, the listed contact is the CDMRP Help Desk at 301-682-5507.