Department of Defense Prostate Cancer, Translational Science Award

The FY20 PCRP Translational Science Award (TSA) mechanism 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 FY20 PCRP Overarching Challenges. 

Translational research may be defined as an integration of basic science and clinical observations.

Observations that drive a research idea may originate from a laboratory discovery, population-based

studies, or a clinician’s firsthand knowledge of patient care. Principal Investigators (PIs)

should not view translational research as a one-way continuum from bench to bedside, but can

include a reciprocal flow of ideas and information between basic science and clinical science. This

mechanism is intended to fund a broad range of translational studies including, but not limited to,

the following:

• Advanced preclinical studies aimed at translating results from animal studies to applications

with human samples/cohorts. The TSA is not intended to support initial mechanistic studies of a new

target.

• Late-stage preclinical work leading to/preparing for a clinical trial, e.g., an Investigational

New Drug (IND) application submission

•   Correlative studies that are associated with an open/ongoing or completed clinical trial

•   Projects that develop endpoints for clinical trials

Preliminary data to support the feasibility of the research hypotheses and research approaches are

required. The inclusion of additional preliminary data to support the clinical relevance of the

idea is strongly encouraged.

As the ultimate goal of translational research is to move a concept or observation forward into

clinical application, applications must include a detailed transition plan that articulates the

pathway to moving the project’s findings to the next phase of development after successful

completion of the award and how the PI will continue advancing the research toward making a

clinical impact, even if clinical impact is not an immediate outcome.

Research involving human subjects is permitted under this funding opportunity; however clinical

trials are not allowed. Correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial are

particularly encouraged, provided they are determined to be no greater than minimal risk by the

Institutional Review Board (IRB) of record and the U.S. Army Medical Research and Development

Command (USAMRDC), Office of Research Protections (ORP), Human Research Protection Office (HRPO).

Investigators seeking funding for a clinical trial are encouraged to consider submitting an

application to the FY20 PCRP Clinical Trial Award (Funding Opportunity Number: W81XWH-

20-PCRP-CTA).

Partnering PI Option: The FY20 PCRP TSA encourages applications that include meaningful and

productive collaborations between investigators. The PIs may have expertise in similar or disparate

scientific disciplines, but each PI is expected to bring distinct contributions to the application;

collaborations between basic science and clinical researchers are highly encouraged. The Partnering

PI Option is structured to accommodate two PIs. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and

will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application

submission. The other PI will be identified as a Partnering PI. Both PIs should contribute

significantly to the development of the proposed research project, including the Project Narrative,

Statement of Work (SOW), and other required components. If recommended for funding, each PI will be

named to an individual award within the recipient organization. For individual submission

requirements for the Initiating and Partnering PI, refer to Section II.D.2, Content and Form of the

Application Submission.

Investigators whose studies require the use of retrospectively collected human anatomical

substances or correlated data are strongly encouraged to consider utilizing the PCRP-funded

Prostate Cancer Biorepository Network (PCBN) (http://prostatebiorepository.org/) and/or the North

Carolina – Louisiana Prostate Cancer Project (PCaP) (https://pcap.bioinf.unc.edu).

Investigators considering use of these or other resources are highly encouraged to provide a letter

of support indicating access to and the availability of the desired resources to support the study.

A Congressionally mandated Metastatic Cancer Task Force was formed with the purpose of identifying

ways to help accelerate clinical and translational research aimed at extending the lives of

advanced state and recurrent patients. As a member of the Metastatic Cancer Task Force, the CDMRP

encourages applicants to review the recommendations (https://health.mil/

Reference-Center/Congressional-Testimonies/2018/05/03/Metastatic-Cancer-Research) and submit

research ideas to address these recommendations provided they are within the limitations of this

funding opportunity and fit within the FY20 PCRP priorities.

The types of awards made under the Program Announcement will be assistance agreements. An

assistance agreement is appropriate when the Federal Government transfers a “thing of value” to a

“state, local government,” or “other recipient” to carry out a public purpose of support or

stimulation authorized by a law of the United States instead of acquiring property or service for

the direct benefit and use of the U.S. Government. An assistance agreement can take the form of

a grant or cooperative agreement. The level of involvement on the part of the Department of Defense

(DoD) during project performance is the key factor in determining whether to award a grant or

cooperative agreement. If “no substantial involvement” on the part of the funding agency is

anticipated, a grant award will be made (31 USC 6304). Conversely, if substantial involvement on

the part of the funding agency is anticipated, a cooperative agreement will be made (31 USC 6305),

and the award will identify the specific substantial involvement.

Substantial involvement may include, but is not limited to, collaboration, participation, or

intervention in the research to be performed under the award. The award type, along with the start

date, will be determined during the negotiation process.

The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY20 PCRP

Translational Science Award will not exceed $1M. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for

detailed funding information.

Awards will be made no later than September 30, 2021. 

For additional information refer to

Section II.F.1, Federal Award Notices.