DoD Prostate Cancer Collaborative Undergraduate Historically Black Colleges and Universities Student Summer Training Program Award | Apply Online

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the DoD Prostate Cancer Collaborative Undergraduate HBCU Student Summer Training Program Award?

It is a Department of Defense (DoD) Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) funding opportunity designed to develop the next generation of prostate cancer researchers by supporting structured summer research training programs for undergraduate students from Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).

What is the main goal of this award?

The main goal is to provide HBCU undergraduates with meaningful, hands-on exposure to prostate cancer research during a key decision point in their academic path, when they may be considering graduate school, medical school, or other research-focused careers.

Who hosts the summer training program?

The program is hosted at an institution with active prostate cancer research and a demonstrated track record in both prostate cancer research and research training.

Can the award fund a brand-new program, or only existing programs?

The award can support either new summer research training programs or expansions of existing summer training efforts, as long as the host institution meets the expectations described in the opportunity.

How long is the summer research experience?

The training experience is structured as an 8 to 12 week summer program at the Principal Investigator's (PI's) institution.

What kind of activities are expected beyond basic lab placement?

Programs are expected to include research projects plus additional educational components such as seminars, symposia, and potentially relevant coursework or professional development activities. The intent is to provide a structured training experience rather than only assigning students to a lab bench.

Are projects related to prostate cancer health disparities required?

Projects or experiences related to prostate cancer health disparities are highly encouraged, reflecting the broader need to understand and reduce unequal prostate cancer outcomes across populations.

Does the proposed training need to align with PCRP priorities?

Yes. The proposed training must align with at least one PCRP focus area and is encouraged to address one of the PCRP overarching challenges so that student experiences connect to larger scientific and clinical priorities of the program.

Who is the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award?

The host-site Program Director is designated as the Principal Investigator (PI). The PI is expected to be an established prostate cancer researcher and to lead the training program.

Is the program expected to involve more than one mentor?

Yes. A major expectation is that the program includes multiple mentors rather than relying on a single supervisor, so trainees can benefit from different scientific perspectives and lab environments.

What role do HBCU faculty advisors play?

Strong collaboration is required between the host-site PI and faculty advisors at the trainees' HBCU(s). HBCU faculty advisors coordinate with the host site during the summer and throughout the academic year to support student progress and keep the partnership active.

Is continued interaction with trainees expected after the summer ends?

Yes. The PI and mentors are expected to maintain interaction with trainees beyond the summer internship period, supporting continuity and longer-term development.

How many students must be trained each year?

Each funded program must enroll at least four undergraduate HBCU trainees per year.

Can trainees be recruited from more than one HBCU?

Yes. Recruitment can span multiple HBCUs.

If the host institution is an HBCU, can it recruit trainees from its own campus?

No. If the host institution is itself an HBCU, trainees must be recruited from other, different HBCUs. This is meant to strengthen connections across institutions rather than keeping training opportunities within a single campus.

Do applicants need to name the individual student trainees in the application?

Not necessarily. Student trainees may be listed as "to be named" (TBN) at the time of application.

If trainees can be listed as TBN, what must the application include about recruitment?

The application must clearly describe, in detail, how students will be recruited and selected at the HBCU(s), including the criteria and the process used to choose trainees.

What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this award?

The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH-14-PCRP-STPA.

Which government office issued this opportunity?

The opportunity was issued by the Department of the Army (USAMRAA/CDMRP) under the DoD Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP).

What type of funding mechanism is used?

The opportunity was offered as a cooperative agreement or grant.

Is cost sharing or matching required?

No. There is no cost sharing or matching requirement.

What was the estimated funding level and number of awards for the FY14 cycle mentioned?

For the FY14 cycle referenced, the program anticipated making about five awards with an estimated total funding level of $1,000,000.

What category does this opportunity fall under?

It falls under the science and technology research and development category.

Are there specific PCRP resources applicants are encouraged to use?

When relevant to proposed projects, applicants are encouraged to leverage established PCRP resources such as the Prostate Cancer Biorepository Network (PCBN) and the North Carolina-Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP).

When are PCBN or PCaP resources especially relevant?

They are particularly relevant when retrospectively collected human specimens or linked datasets could enhance the educational research experience proposed within the training program.

What does the award emphasize about the host institution's capabilities?

The host institution must demonstrate an active prostate cancer research environment and a track record in research training, supporting an immersive, structured summer experience for undergraduate trainees.