The Department of Defense is offering the Peer Reviewed Cancer Career Development Award – Scholar Option to advance early-career cancer investigators.

The PRCRP is seeking to advance cancer research through development of early-career investigators. This funding opportunity requests application for the Career Development Award – Scholar Option (also known as the Virtual Cancer Center Scholar Option. The Career Development Award – Fellow Option is not being offered at this time). Under this award mechanism, the early-career investigator is considered the Principal Investigator (PI), and the application should focus on the PI’s research and career development. Preliminary data are not required. However, logical reasoning and a sound scientific rationale for the proposed research must be demonstrated. This award supports impactful research projects with an emphasis on discovery. 

Scholar Option: Supports an independent, highly accomplished early-career investigator (referred to as a Scholar) to conduct impactful research under the guidance of an experienced cancer researcher (i.e., Career Guide). Scholars will commit to participate in the FY20 PRCRP Virtual Cancer Center (VCC) (CSVCC – Convergent Science Virtual Cancer Center). The unique, interactive VCC focuses on fostering the next generation of cancer researchers. This award provides intensive mentoring, national networking, and a peer group for junior faculty. Scholars are required to interact with the VCC Director, Deputy Director, and other Scholars in addition to their Career Guide. The intention of the Scholar Option is to support the highly accomplished investigator toward the goal of leadership in cancer.

The critical components of the Career Development Award – Scholar Option:

·        Principal Investigator: The PI must be an early-career researcher or physician-scientist within 7 years after completion of their terminal degree by the time of the application deadline (excluding time spent in residency, clinical training, or on family medical leave). Time spent as a postdoctoral fellow is not excluded. Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible for this award mechanism. The PI’s record of accomplishments and the proposed research will be evaluated regarding their potential for contributing to at least one of the FY22 PRCRP Topic Areas in Section II.A.1. The Scholar must be in a tenure-track position or equivalent position. The Scholar must demonstrate significant accomplishments, including first-author publications, extramural funding, and show excellence in cancer research as supported by letters of recommendation. The Scholar must have independent laboratory space separate from the Career Guide’s laboratory or other mentor’s laboratory. The Scholar and Career Guide are required to attend a biennial multi-day VCC workshop and, in alternate years, a 1 day VCC workshop. For more information on the eligibility criteria for the Virtual Cancer Center Scholar Option, refer to Section II.C.1.

·        Career Guide: The Scholar must designate a Career Guide. The Career Guide must be an experienced cancer researcher, as demonstrated by a strong record of funding and publications. In addition, the Career Guide must demonstrate a commitment to advancing the PI’s career in cancer research. The Career Guide for applications submitted to the Career Development Award – Scholar Option (CDA-SO) must also be committed to fully participating in the VCC and potentially serving on the VCC’s Advisory Board as requested by VCC Leadership.

·        Career Development Plan: A career development plan is required and should be prepared with appropriate guidance from the Career Guide. The career development plan should include a clearly articulated strategy for acquiring the necessary skills, competence, further independence, and expertise to advance their career at the forefront of cancer research in at least one of the FY22 PRCRP Topic Areas. The Scholar must show career milestones and pathways toward achieving the milestones. The Scholar should demonstrate clear commitment to at least one of the FY22 PRCRP Topic Areas through a career development plan designed to enhance further networking and collaboration. The Scholar must also articulate interaction with the VCC.

·        Impact: The applicant must articulate the potential impact the proposed work will have on cancer research and/or patient care. Impactful research will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in cancer research into clinical applications.

·        Preliminary data are not required. Any preliminary data included in the application is subject to evaluation and review. Research proposed should be based on strong scientific reasoning and relevant literature.