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DoD Lung Cancer Idea Development Award (LCRP) - FAQs

1) What is the DoD Lung Cancer Idea Development Award?

The DoD Lung Cancer Idea Development Award is a Department of Defense funding opportunity under the Lung Cancer Research Program (LCRP) designed to move brand-new lung cancer research directions forward when they are still in early stages.

2) What is the main goal of this award?

The central goal is to support conceptually innovative, high risk/high reward projects that can generate impactful preliminary data, open new avenues of investigation, and speed progress toward eliminating deaths from lung cancer.

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

This mechanism is aimed at ideas that may be less proven or less conventional, but that are supported by a clear scientific rationale and built around a well-formulated, testable hypothesis. The focus is on projects that could plausibly lead to major advances or critical discoveries rather than incremental extensions of existing studies.

4) Does the program prefer early-stage or established research?

The emphasis is on early-stage research directions and idea development, particularly work that can produce meaningful preliminary data and justify opening up a new research line.

5) Is innovation specifically emphasized?

Yes. The opportunity emphasizes conceptually innovative research and supports high risk/high reward approaches that could deliver major advances.

6) What does "high risk/high reward" mean in the context of this award?

Based on the opportunity description, it refers to projects that are more novel and potentially less proven or less conventional, but still grounded in strong scientific rationale and a testable hypothesis, with the potential to yield major advances rather than incremental progress.

7) Are incremental extensions of existing studies competitive?

The announcement emphasizes that the goal is not incremental extensions of existing studies. It prioritizes work that could lead to major advances or critical discoveries.

8) Is collaboration encouraged?

Yes. Collaboration is a notable priority, especially collaboration with or submissions from investigators connected to military and veteran health research environments.

9) Which types of military- and veteran-connected partnerships are encouraged?

Partnerships with military treatment facilities, military laboratories, and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers and research laboratories are strongly encouraged.

10) Why does the announcement prioritize military and VA research environments?

The program is interested in leveraging unique patient populations, clinical settings, and research capabilities found within DoD and VA ecosystems, and in helping ensure that findings can translate into meaningful benefits for Service members, Veterans, and the broader public impacted by lung cancer.

11) Is there a specific category for early-career researchers?

Yes. The award includes a dedicated New Investigator category intended to bring early-career faculty into the competition.

12) How is a "New Investigator" defined for this opportunity?

A New Investigator is described as an independent investigator within 10 years of their first faculty appointment (or equivalent), based on the information provided in the opportunity description.

13) Why are New Investigators separated from Established Investigators?

The purpose is to create a fairer competitive landscape so early-career researchers are not directly competing against long-established laboratories with extensive track records and resources.

14) Are New Investigator applications reviewed differently than Established Investigator applications?

Yes. The announcement states that New Investigator applications and Established Investigator applications will be reviewed separately in both peer review and programmatic review.

15) Are New Investigators expected to collaborate with more experienced researchers?

New Investigators are strongly encouraged to strengthen their proposals by collaborating with more experienced lung cancer researchers or other experts whose skills complement the proposed work.

16) If a New Investigator has collaborators, what must be explained in the application?

Applicants are expected to explain how collaborations specifically strengthen the project and help address the research question.

17) Who is responsible for confirming New Investigator eligibility?

Applicants are responsible for ensuring they meet the New Investigator eligibility requirements, which are tied to criteria described in the full announcement.

18) Who issued this funding opportunity?

Administratively, the opportunity was issued by the Department of the Army through USAMRAA.

19) What types of funding instruments are available under this opportunity?

The opportunity allows funding through either a grant or a cooperative agreement.

20) What activity category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls under the Science and Technology/Research and Development activity category.

21) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

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

22) Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity did not require cost sharing or matching.

23) What is the total estimated funding amount?

The total estimated funding listed was $3,360,000.

24) How many awards were expected?

The opportunity indicated an expectation of six awards.

25) Who is eligible to apply?

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

26) What is the funding opportunity number?

The specific funding opportunity number is W81XWH-15-LCRP-IDA.

27) What were the closing and archive dates for the posted cycle?

The original/current closing date for the posted cycle was September 16, 2015, and the archive date was October 16, 2015.

28) Where can applicants get help accessing the full announcement?

The notice points applicants to the CDMRP help desk for support.

29) What are the CDMRP help desk contact details listed in the notice?

Phone: (301) 682-5507. Email: help@eBRAP.org.

30) What is the broader impact the program is aiming for?

The program aims to accelerate progress toward eliminating deaths from lung cancer, including translating findings into meaningful benefits for Service members, Veterans, and the broader public impacted by lung cancer.