The Department of Defense is offering the Lung Cancer Career Development Grant to support early-career independent investigators.

The FY23 LCRP Career Development Award supports early-career, independent investigators to conduct impactful research under the mentorship of an experienced lung cancer researcher as an opportunity to obtain the funding, mentoring, and experience necessary for productive, independent careers at the forefront of lung cancer research. Research applications only in the area of mesothelioma will not be accepted. This award is intended to support impactful research projects with an emphasis on discovery.

Preliminary data are not required. However, logical reasoning and a sound scientific rationale for the proposed research must be demonstrated.

Key elements of this award are as follows:

• Principal Investigator (PI): PIs must be research- or physician-scientists at an early stage of their independent research careers. PIs must be within 5 years of their first faculty appointment (or equivalent) and exhibit a strong desire to pursue a career in lung cancer research.

• Mentorship: The Mentor(s) must be an experienced lung cancer researcher(s) as demonstrated by a strong record of funding and publications in lung cancer research. In addition, the Mentor(s) must demonstrate a commitment to developing the PI’s career in lung cancer research.

• Career Development: A Career Development Plan is required and should be prepared with appropriate guidance from the Mentor(s). A clearly articulated strategy for acquiring the necessary skills, competence, and expertise to have a career at the forefront of lung cancer research should be included. The plan should outline how the PI will gain experience in lung cancer research. Because career development is the focus of this award, the PI must commit a minimum of a 25% level of time and effort during the period of performance to conduct lung cancer research under this award.

• Impact: Research that has high potential impact may lead to major advancements and significantly accelerate progress toward eradicating deaths and suffering from lung cancer.

• Relevance to Military Health System (MHS) Beneficiaries: The application should clearly articulate how the proposed research is relevant to Service Members, Veterans, and their families.

The PI is required to attend a Department of Defense (DOD) one day in progress review meeting prior to the end of the second year of the award.