Defense Health Program Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program Anticipated Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) - July 15 deadlines

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).

Translational Science Award – Letter of Intent due July 15, 2021

Independent investigators at all levels

• Supports advanced translational research that will foster transformation of promising ideas in prostate cancer into clinical applications, ultimately providing a solution to one or more of the FY21 PCRP Overarching Challenges.
• Translational research may be defined as an integration of basic science and clinical observations, including a reciprocal flow of ideas and information from bench to beside and/or bedside to bench.
• Supports a broad range of translational studies such as:

○    Advanced translation of results from animal studies to applications with human samples/cohorts 

○    Late-stage preclinical work leading to/preparing for a clinical trial, e.g., Investigational New Drug application submission

○    Correlative studies that are associated with an open/ongoing or completed clinical trial, e.g., projects that utilize biospecimens from clinical trial to improve clinical management of prostate cancer and/or define new areas of research

○    Projects that develop endpoints for clinical trials

• Preliminary data to support the scientific rationale and feasibility of the research approaches are required.  The inclusion of additional preliminary data to support the clinical relevance of the idea is strongly encouraged.
• ·      Clinical trials are not allowed.
  • Each PI may submit only one application.
  • Partnering PI Option:  Allows two PIs, termed Initiating and Partnering PIs, to collaborate on a single application.  Collaborations between basic science and clinical researchers are highly encouraged.
  • 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 3 years.

Health Disparity Research Award – Letter of Intent due July 15, 2021

Established Investigators:  Independent investigators at all levels

New Investigators:  Investigators that meet the following criteria at the application submission deadline date:

• Have the freedom to pursue individual aims without formal mentorship
• Have not previously received a PCRP Health Disparity Research Award and/or Idea Development Award
• Have either completed at least 3 years of postdoctoral training or fellowship or are within 10 years after completion of a terminal degree (excluding residency or family medical leave)
• Supports research ideas that have the potential to make an important contribution to reducing and ultimately eliminating disparities in prostate cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality.
• Proposed projects must address one of the following health disparity focus areas:  (1) biological contributors, (2) environmental factors, (3) social and cultural factors, or (4) access to healthcare.
• Proposed projects may include basic, translational, or clinical research, including clinical trials.
• Primary emphasis will be placed on the potential impact of the proposed work.
• Preliminary data are encouraged, but not required.
• Each PI may submit only one application.
• 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 3 years