DoD FY11 Prostate Cancer Exploration Hypothesis Development Award | Apply Online

FAQs: DoD FY11 Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) Exploration Hypothesis Development Award (EHDA)

1) What is the PCRP Exploration Hypothesis Development Award (EHDA)?

The EHDA is a funding mechanism within the DoD FY11 Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP), run by the Department of the Army (USAMRAA). It supports early-stage, high-risk prostate cancer research ideas that are genuinely new and not yet well tested.

2) What is the main purpose of this award?

The purpose is to give investigators room to explore unconventional concepts, novel methods, new paradigms, or unexpected observations that could open up entirely new directions in prostate cancer research. The award is intended to help generate a scientific rationale for a new hypothesis or provide an initial proof-of-principle that a bold idea might work.

3) What kinds of projects are a good fit for this opportunity?

Projects that are exploratory, innovative, and potentially "high gain" are a good fit, especially those that are too early for traditional grants that expect extensive supporting evidence. Proposals should be scientifically grounded and clearly reasoned even if the idea is not yet well tested.

4) What does "early-stage" and "high-risk" mean in this context?

In this context, "early-stage" and "high-risk" refer to research directions that are new and not yet validated with substantial prior testing. The mechanism is designed to support ideas that may not have mature data behind them, but that could lead to major advances if they succeed.

5) Is innovation a key review priority for this award?

Yes. A defining feature of this award is its emphasis on innovation and high-gain potential. The program is looking for bold ideas that could move the field forward if the approach succeeds.

6) Are applicants expected to include preliminary data?

No. Applicants are discouraged from including preliminary data. This reflects the intent to avoid rewarding only established lines of work and instead support carefully reasoned proposals that may be too early for more traditional funding.

7) If preliminary data is discouraged, what must an application include to be competitive?

Even without preliminary results, proposals are expected to be logically argued and supported by sound scientific rationale. Applicants should clearly explain why the idea makes sense, what prostate cancer problem it addresses, and how it could advance the field if successful.

8) What research areas are eligible (basic, translational, clinical)?

The PCRP encourages submissions spanning basic through clinical research, as long as the proposal fits the exploratory, hypothesis-development intent of the award.

9) Do applications need to align with specific PCRP priorities?

Applications are strongly recommended to align with one of the FY11 PCRP "overarching challenges."

10) What if a project does not directly address one of the FY11 PCRP overarching challenges?

If a proposal does not directly address one of those challenges, the applicant is expected to justify why the work still targets a critical unmet need in prostate cancer research and/or patient care.

11) What are reviewers looking for in terms of impact?

Reviewers are looking for a clear line of sight between the proposed exploratory work and an important gap in knowledge, clinical outcomes, detection, treatment, or survivorship related to prostate cancer.

12) Are studies involving human subjects allowed under this award?

Human subjects work is strictly limited. Projects that involve human subjects are not supported unless they qualify as exempt under 32 CFR 219.101(b) or are eligible for expedited review under 32 CFR 219.110 or 21 CFR 56.110.

13) Are studies involving human specimens allowed under this award?

Human specimen work is also strictly limited. Projects involving human specimens are not supported unless the work qualifies as exempt or eligible for expedited review under the specified regulatory categories.

14) What happens if an application proposes human subjects/specimen research that is not exempt or expedited?

Applications proposing studies that do not meet exempt or expedited criteria are subject to administrative withdrawal. Applicants must ensure any human-related work falls squarely within the allowable regulatory categories.

15) Where can applicants find guidance on human subjects protections for this opportunity?

The announcement references additional human subjects protection guidance and a Human Subject Resource Document available through DoD/CDMRP program resources.

16) Which agency runs this funding opportunity?

This opportunity is run by the Department of the Army (USAMRAA) under the DoD FY11 Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP).

17) What type of funding instrument is used?

The opportunity was offered as a discretionary funding opportunity using either a grant or cooperative agreement instrument.

18) When was the opportunity posted, and what were the key dates?

The opportunity was posted on April 21, 2011. The application closing date was June 8, 2011, and the archive date was July 8, 2011.

19) How many awards were anticipated?

The program anticipated making about 30 awards.

20) What was the estimated total funding available?

The estimated total funding pool was $3.6 million.

21) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. Cost sharing or matching was not required.

22) Who is eligible to apply?

Eligibility was listed as unrestricted (open to any type of entity), subject to any additional eligibility details included in the full announcement.

23) What is the CFDA number associated with this program?

The CFDA number associated with the opportunity is 12.420 (Military Medical Research and Development).

24) Who can applicants contact for help with access issues or related questions?

For applicant support related to access issues or similar questions, the announcement provides the CDMRP Help Desk at 301-682-5507.