DOD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program Mentor Predoctoral Fellow Research Award | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the PRCRP Mentor Predoctoral Fellow Research Award (FY09)?

The DOD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Mentor Predoctoral Fellow Research Award (FY09) is a Department of the Army, USAMRAA funding opportunity designed to advance early-stage but potentially high-impact cancer research ideas while providing structured, mentored training for an outstanding predoctoral fellow.

What is the central scientific topic this award will fund?

This mechanism is limited to a single, tightly defined topic area: noninvasive cancer ablation treatment research, including selective targeting with nanoparticles. Proposals that move into other cancer research areas are considered nonresponsive.

What is meant by "noninvasive cancer ablation treatment research" in this opportunity?

Based on the opportunity description, the funded work must focus on approaches to destroy or eliminate cancer using noninvasive ablation methods, and may include strategies where nanoparticles are used for selective targeting to enable or improve noninvasive ablation.

Are nanoparticles required for all projects?

No. The topic area includes selective targeting with nanoparticles, but the opportunity also lists a separate Focus Area related to deep organ access for ablation technologies. Competitive applications should align with one or more of the Focus Areas, which include (a) deep organ access for ablation technologies and/or (b) validation of nanoparticle targeting.

What are the FY09 Focus Areas for this award?

The opportunity lists two Focus Areas that applications are expected to align with as part of the formal rating process:

• Development of approaches for deep organ access for ablation technologies
• Validation of nanoparticle targeting

How important is alignment with the Focus Areas?

Responsiveness to one or more FY09 Focus Areas is a formal part of the rating process. Applications that do not align with the Focus Areas risk being rated less competitively or deemed nonresponsive.

What does "deep organ access for ablation technologies" refer to in this context?

In this program, it refers to developing approaches that address technical barriers preventing ablation methods from effectively reaching deep-seated organs (as described in the opportunity summary).

What does "validation of nanoparticle targeting" mean for applicants?

It means generating convincing validation that nanoparticles can selectively and reliably target relevant tissues or tumor environments in support of noninvasive ablation strategies, consistent with the program's stated Focus Area.

Is a mentored predoctoral fellow required?

Yes. A mentored predoctoral fellow is a required component of the application. The award is explicitly designed to combine research and workforce development, and the training plan and mentoring environment are integral to the intent of the mechanism.

How significant is the training plan in the review of an application?

The training plan and mentoring environment are described as integral to the intent of the award. This indicates they are not add-ons; they are central components that should be clearly articulated in the application.

Does the program require preliminary data?

No. Preliminary data are explicitly not required under this mechanism.

If preliminary data are not required, what does the application still need to demonstrate scientifically?

Even without preliminary data, the proposed work must be grounded in a well-formulated, testable hypothesis supported by a strong scientific rationale. The application should show clear logic, feasibility, and a rigorous plan for testing the central hypothesis.

Does this award encourage high-risk or emerging concepts?

Yes, the program is intended to push forward early-stage but high-impact ideas and allows applicants to propose bold, emerging concepts without an extensive prior dataset, provided the work remains hypothesis-driven and rigorously designed.

Are there any cancer types that are excluded from this award?

Yes. Proposals must not address breast cancer, prostate cancer, or ovarian cancer research, which are excluded under this mechanism.

What happens if a proposal includes excluded cancer types or drifts into other cancer topics?

The opportunity states that proposals must not address breast, prostate, or ovarian cancer research and that proposals outside the allowed topic area are considered nonresponsive. Nonresponsive proposals generally do not fit the scope of the funding opportunity as described.

Who is the sponsoring/funding organization for this opportunity?

The opportunity is a Department of the Army, USAMRAA funding opportunity under the DOD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP).

What funding instrument will be used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?

The opportunity indicates awards may be made as a cooperative agreement or a grant.

What is the program category for this funding opportunity?

It is categorized under science and technology and other research and development.

How many awards were anticipated and what was the estimated total funding?

The program anticipated making 2 awards, with an estimated total funding amount of $1,400,000.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. The opportunity states that it does not require cost sharing or matching.

Who is eligible to apply?

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

Where can applicants find the official identifiers for this opportunity?

The CFDA number is 12.420 (Military Medical Research and Development). The funding opportunity number is W81XWH 09 PRCRP MPFR.

When was this opportunity posted and when did it close?

The opportunity was posted on June 24, 2009. The application closing date was December 9, 2009. It was archived on January 8, 2010.

What kind of help is available to applicants?

The announcement provides contact points for support in three areas: help accessing the full announcement, assistance with electronic submission (eReceipt), and the CDMRP Helpdesk.

Is this a discretionary funding opportunity?

Yes. The opportunity is described as a discretionary funding opportunity.