Defense Health Program Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program Anticipated Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) - June 17 deadlines

How to Apply: 

The FY21 Defense Appropriations Act provides funding to the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) to support innovative, high-impact prostate cancer research.  As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency J9, Research and Development Directorate, manages the Defense Health Program’s (DHP) Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation (RDT&E) appropriation.  The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development Command (USAMRDC).

 

The FY21 PCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are posted on the Grants.gov website. 

 

The mission of the FY21 PCRP is to fund research that will lead to the elimination of death from prostate cancer and enhance the well-being of Service Members, Veterans, and all the men and their families who are experiencing the impact of the disease.  Within this context, the PCRP is interested in supporting research that addresses specific gaps in prostate cancer research and clinical care; therefore, applications are required to address one or more of the following FY21 PCRP Overarching Challenges:

 

  • Improve quality of life to enhance outcomes and overall health and wellness for those impacted by prostate cancer

Applications should aim to understand the impact of prostate cancer on quality of life for the cancer survivor, their family, caregivers, and their community with the goal of improving and enhancing quality of life and overall health and wellness.  Studies should consider both short- and long-term quality of life outcomes.  Areas of particular interest include:

  • The mental and emotional health of patients and their families/caregivers
  • Impact of quality of life considerations on decision-making after diagnosis and/or treatment
  • Identification of vulnerable groups of men and their families at great risk of quality of life detriments
  • Translation of factors or interventions that improve quality of life outcomes and overall health and wellness
  • Develop treatments that improve outcomes for men with lethal prostate cancer

Applications must be directly related to prostate cancer with a high risk of death, including high-risk, very high-risk, and metastatic prostate cancer.  Applications should not focus on active surveillance, low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer and/or biochemical recurrence.  Refer to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for risk assessment definitions

(https://www.ncc n.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/prostate-advanced-patient.pdf).

 

  • Advance Health Equity and Reduce Disparities in Prostate Cancer

Applications must be directly relevant to the better understanding and/or reduction of inequities and disparities that impact a person, their family, or their caregiver's ability to prevent, detect, manage, and survive prostate cancer. 

Inequities may arise from socioeconomic status, race or ethnicity, geography, environment, lifestyle, sexual and/or gender identification, access to care (in rural or urban settings), or other factors.

Health inequities may include physical, mental, or emotional health differences, as well as social and financial differences experienced primarily in high-risk or underserved prostate cancer patients. 

High-risk populations include, but are not limited to, people of African descent (including Caribbean), genetically predisposed populations, Service Members, and Veterans.

Underserved populations include, but are not limited to, men with limited access to clinical care and resources (in rural or urban settings), and sexual and/or gender minorities.

  • Define the biology of lethal prostate cancer to reduce death

Applications must be directly related to prostate cancer with a high risk of death, including high-risk, very high-risk, and metastatic prostate cancer.  Applications should not focus on active surveillance, low-risk and intermediate-risk prostate cancer, and/or biochemical recurrence.  Refer to the National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for risk assessment definitions (https://www.nccn.org/patients/guidelines/content/PDF/prostate-advanced-patient.pdf).

 

https://cdmrp.army.mil/funding/pcrp

 

Early Investigator Research Award – Letter of Intent due June 17, 2021

By March 31, 2022

Postdoctoral Principal Investigators (PIs):

  • Must possess a doctoral degree (or equivalent)
  • Have 3 years or less of postdoctoral research experience (excluding clinical residency or clinical fellowship training)
  • Supports research opportunities focused on prostate cancer for individuals in the early stages of their careers.
  • PIs must have a designated mentor who is an experienced prostate cancer researcher.
  • Must include a Researcher Development Plan articulating an individualized strategy for acquiring necessary skills, competence, and expertise to complete the project and foster the PI’s career development.

Must address at least one of the FY21 PCRP Overarching Challenges.

  • The maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $300,000 for direct costs.
  • The maximum period of performance is 2 years.

 

Physician Research Award – Letter of Intent due June 17, 2021

At the time of application submission, the PI must be either:

  • In the last year of an accredited medical residency or medical fellowship program

Or

Within 5 years of having initiated a faculty appointment (including Instructor positions)

  • Supports a mentored research experience to prepare physicians with clinical duties for careers in prostate cancer research.
  • PIs must demonstrate a commitment to a career at the forefront of prostate cancer research and clinical practice.
  • PIs must have a designated mentor with an established research program in prostate cancer.
  • Applications are strongly encouraged to demonstrate protection of at least 40% of the PI’s time for prostate cancer research (not required to be exclusive to this award). 
  • Must include a Researcher Development Plan articulating an individualized strategy for acquiring necessary skills, competence, and expertise to complete the project and foster the PI’s career development.
  • Must address at least one of the FY21 PCRP Overarching Challenges.
  • The maximum allowable funding for the entire period of performance is $750,000 for direct costs.
  • The maximum period of performance is 4 years
External Deadline: 
Thursday, June 17, 2021
Funding Source: 
External
Funding Level: 
Research