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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) - DoD Prostate Cancer Early Investigator Research Award (EIRA)

1. What is the DoD Prostate Cancer Early Investigator Research Award (EIRA)?

The DoD Prostate Cancer Early Investigator Research Award (EIRA) is a funding opportunity within the Department of Defense (DoD) Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP). It is designed to launch the careers of researchers who are still in training or very early in their careers by supporting a prostate cancer-focused research project and intentionally developing the applicant into a future independent investigator in prostate cancer research.

2. What is the main purpose of the EIRA?

The EIRA has a two-part purpose: (1) to support a prostate cancer-focused research project, and (2) to provide mentored career development that helps the applicant grow into an independent investigator working at the leading edge of prostate cancer research.

3. Who is expected to lead the application as Principal Investigator (PI)?

A defining feature of this award is that the predoctoral or postdoctoral researcher is the Principal Investigator (PI) on the application. The PI is expected to take intellectual ownership of the work and drive the proposal, rather than being a trainee attached to someone else's application.

4. Does the PI need prior experience specifically in prostate cancer research?

No. Prior experience specifically in prostate cancer is not required. The opportunity is welcoming to strong early-career scientists who may be coming from adjacent fields and want to pivot into prostate cancer research, as long as they demonstrate promise and a clear commitment to a prostate cancer research career.

5. Is mentorship required for this award?

Yes. Mentorship is central and mandatory. Each application must include at least one Mentor who will guide both the research and the PI's development toward independence.

6. What qualifications are expected of the Mentor?

The Mentor is expected to have expertise that matches the proposed project and a strong record in prostate cancer research and mentoring. The Mentor should be actively funded, publishing in the field, and able to demonstrate prior successful mentorship outcomes.

7. What is the Mentor expected to do beyond providing general supervision?

The Mentor (or Mentors) must show a concrete commitment to moving the PI toward independence rather than keeping them in a purely supportive role. The mentorship approach should be aligned with building the PI into a future independent prostate cancer investigator.

8. Can an application include more than one Mentor?

Yes. The opportunity requires at least one Mentor, and it allows (and in some cases encourages) adding additional Mentor(s), such as a co-Mentor, especially when key resources or expertise are located at a collaborating institution.

9. When is a co-Mentor encouraged?

If the proposed project requires access to resources, facilities, datasets, patient cohorts, or specialized methods located at another institution, the program encourages naming a co-Mentor at the collaborating site. This helps ensure the PI has day-to-day guidance and real access to needed capabilities.

10. Who is expected to write the application?

The application must be written by the PI, with appropriate direction and input from the Mentor(s). This reinforces that the PI is expected to demonstrate ownership of the project and lead it intellectually.

11. What is an individualized researcher development plan, and is it required?

An individualized researcher development plan is required. It must be explicitly prostate cancer-focused and should provide a practical, step-by-step strategy for the PI to gain the skills, expertise, and professional competencies needed to complete the proposed research and mature into an independent prostate cancer investigator.

12. What should the researcher development plan cover?

Based on the opportunity description, a strong plan would typically address technical training and professional development, such as learning new methodologies, building a scientific niche, expanding professional networks, and gaining experience communicating results, all within an environment that supports mentoring.

13. Does the application need to describe the research environment?

Yes. The research environment must be described clearly. The program expects applicants to explain how the environment supports both the proposed research and the mentored development of the PI.

14. What if the PI's home institution lacks certain infrastructure or mentorship support?

The program includes flexibility to address gaps through well-justified collaborations. If the home institution has deficiencies, those can be mitigated by collaborating with other institutions or teams that provide needed mentorship, infrastructure, or specialized resources.

15. What research areas or disciplines are eligible under the PCRP scope?

The PCRP is seeking prostate cancer research proposals across a wide range of disciplines. Eligible approaches include basic science, engineering, bioinformatics, population science, translational research, and clinical research, among others. Multidisciplinary projects are explicitly encouraged.

16. Do applicants need to align their proposals with PCRP focus areas?

Yes. Applicants are expected to address at least one PCRP focus area and are strongly encouraged to address one or more overarching challenges identified by the program.

17. What if a project does not align with the program's overarching challenges?

If a project does not align with the overarching challenges, the application should directly explain why the work still fills a critical need in prostate cancer research and/or patient care. In other words, the applicant should make a clear case for relevance and impact even if the framing differs from the program's priority challenge categories.

18. Is preliminary data required?

No. Preliminary data are not required, though they can strengthen an application.

19. If preliminary data are included, what kind of data are expected?

If preliminary data are provided, they should be relevant to prostate cancer and to the proposed work. The data are expected to come from the PI, the Mentor(s), or other members of the collaborating team.

20. Who posted this opportunity, and what is the funding opportunity number?

This opportunity was posted by DOD-AMRAA. The Funding Opportunity Number is W81XWH-16-PCRP-EIRA.

21. What funding instruments are used for this opportunity?

The opportunity allows funding through grants and cooperative agreements under CFDA 12.420 (research and development).

22. What is the stated eligibility for applicant organizations?

Eligibility is described as unrestricted, meaning a broad range of applicant organizations may apply, subject to any additional eligibility clarifications contained in the full announcement.

23. What was the listed closing date for this funding opportunity?

The original and current closing date listed was July 21, 2016.

24. How many awards did the program anticipate making?

The program anticipated making about 35 awards.

25. How does this award differ from awards aimed at established laboratories?

Unlike awards that primarily fund established labs, this mechanism is intentionally structured around mentored career development for predoctoral or postdoctoral PIs. The award is designed not only to fund a project, but also to develop the applicant into a future independent investigator in prostate cancer research.