DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer Synergistic Idea Award | Apply Online

PRCRP Synergistic Idea Award (FY09) - FAQ

What is this grant opportunity?

This opportunity is the Department of Defense (DoD) Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Synergistic Idea Award (FY09), administered through the Department of the Army/USAMRAA. The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH-09-PRCRP-SIA.

What topic area does this award support?

The award is focused exclusively on pediatric brain tumors within the broader field of childhood cancer. Applications must remain within pediatric brain tumor research to be considered responsive.

Are proposals in other childhood cancer areas allowed?

No. Proposals that drift into other cancer areas are described as not responsive to this opportunity.

Is there any special emphasis within pediatric brain tumors?

Yes. The program places special emphasis on rare pediatric brain tumors.

What kind of data collection approach is the program looking for?

The opportunity expects comprehensive approaches that collect both tumor data and host data, reflecting an interest in understanding disease in the context of the whole patient over time.

What are the FY09 focus areas for pediatric brain tumor research under this award?

Proposed research is expected to align with at least one of these three focus areas:

1. Distinguishing biological drivers of tumors from processes involved in normal brain development.
2. Creating novel tools and models to close knowledge gaps around genetic predisposition, tumor initiation, and environmental contributors.
3. Improving understanding of risks and consequences of therapeutic interventions on the host and how those risks connect to long-term outcomes.

Do applications have to fit all three focus areas?

No. Proposals are expected to align with at least one of the three stated FY09 focus areas.

What types of research are allowed (basic, clinical, etc.)?

The program is open to basic, preclinical, behavioral, and epidemiological research, as long as the work clearly maps back to one or more of the FY09 focus areas.

What makes the Synergistic Idea Award different from other awards?

A defining feature is the required team structure and the emphasis on synergy. The project must be jointly designed and executed by a collaboration of two to four independent, faculty-level (or equivalent) Principal Investigators (PIs) with complementary expertise.

How many Principal Investigators are required?

Each funded project must include a team of two to four independent, faculty-level (or equivalent) Principal Investigators.

Do the PIs need to have different areas of expertise?

Yes. The opportunity specifies that the collaborating PIs should bring complementary expertise, with the goal that their combined perspectives create meaningful synergy.

What does the program mean by "synergy"?

The application must demonstrate that the work will progress faster or reach outcomes that would not be achievable if each investigator pursued separate, parallel projects.

Are multidisciplinary collaborations encouraged?

Yes. The program explicitly encourages multidisciplinary collaborations.

Are multi-institution collaborations allowed or encouraged?

Yes. Multi-institutional collaborations are explicitly encouraged, and the application must include practical plans for coordination across investigators and institutions.

Can newly formed teams apply, or only established collaborations?

Both are supported. The program supports newly formed partnerships as well as existing research alliances, as long as the collaboration is central to the scientific plan rather than incidental.

How is the application submitted if there are multiple PIs on one project?

Although the investigators develop one shared scientific project, each participating PI must submit a separate application.

How are awards made if the project is selected for funding?

If selected, each PI receives an individual award, even though the team is carrying out a shared scientific project.

What coordination or management details are expected in the application?

Applications must include clear, practical plans describing how the team will work together, including ongoing communication routines, coordination of research activities and milestones, sharing of results, and mechanisms for data transfer.

Is an intellectual property (IP) plan required?

For multi-institution projects, an intellectual property plan is required to address potential ownership and material-sharing issues in advance and reduce barriers that could undermine cooperation or delay progress.

What is the funding mechanism for this opportunity?

This opportunity was offered as a discretionary cooperative agreement/grant.

What CFDA number is associated with this grant?

The CFDA number listed is 12.420 (Military Medical Research and Development).

Is cost sharing required?

No. The opportunity states that there is no cost-sharing requirement.

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

The program anticipated making 1 award with an estimated total funding level of $1,750,000.

Who is eligible to apply?

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

What are the key dates for this opportunity?

The posted date was June 25, 2009. The application closing date was December 9, 2009. The archive date was January 8, 2010.

Where can applicants get help with the announcement or electronic submission?

Support was provided through CDMRP help resources for both announcement access and electronic submission assistance.