DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer Career Development Award – Opportunity for Early-Career Investigators

The PRCRP is seeking to advance cancer research through development of early-career investigators. Depending on the accomplishments of the candidates, the PRCRP offers two distinct early-career development options for the Career Development Award: the Fellow Option and the Virtual Cancer Center Scholar Option. The PRCRP is not offering the Career Development Award – Virtual Cancer Center Scholar Option in FY21.  Applicants applying to the FY21 Career Development Award must apply through the Fellow Option only.  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.  The FY21 Career Development Award – Fellow Option supports independent, early-career investigators (referred to as Fellows) to conduct impactful research with the guidance of an experienced cancer researcher (i.e., Career Guide) and presents an opportunity for Fellows to obtain the funding, guidance, and experience necessary for productive, independent careers at the forefront of cancer research. 

The critical components of the Career Development Award – Fellow Option are:

·        Principal Investigator: 

Fellow:  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 considered independent and 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 the FY21 PRCRP Topic Area(s) in Section II.A.1. Previous and/or current career development funding outside of institutional startup funds will be taken into consideration when evaluating a PI’s needs for further developmental funds. The Career Development Award – Fellow Option is intended for candidates that have been named on and awarded only nominal career development funding. Because career development is the focus of this award, the PI’s organization must demonstrate a commitment to the PI through confirmation of laboratory space and at least 50% protected time for cancer research. For more information on the eligibility criteria for the Fellow, refer to Section II.C.1.

·        Career Guide: The Fellow 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.  

·        Career Development Plan:

Fellow:  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, and expertise to advance an independent career at the forefront of cancer research in at least one of the FY21 PRCRP Topic Areas.

·        Preliminary Data:  The inclusion of preliminary data is not required.  If preliminary data are included in the application, it will be subjected to evaluation.  The outcome of research supported by this award should be the generation of robust preliminary data that can be used as a foundation for future research projects and career development.

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

·        Military Relevance: The proposed research must address at least one of the FY21 PRCRP Military Health Focus Areas. The proposed research must be relevant to active-duty Service Members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public.