​To maximize creativity, innovation, and collaboration, the Research Team key personnel must include laboratory and clinical researchers, including both senior and early career investigators, who have not necessarily worked together in the past. 

Each Team will consist of a Team Leader, a Team Co-leader, no more than four additional Principals, a Project Manager, and at least two Advocates, with no more than six but a minimum of two participating institutions. Each Team must designate at least a Leader and a Co-Leader who must be from different institutions. 

The Team Leader, Co-leader, Principals, Project Manager, and Advocates are collectively referred to as Key Personnel. The Team Leader, Co-leader and Principals, must have acquired a doctoral or medical degree, and must be independent investigators affiliated with an academic, medical, or research institution. The designated Project Manager must belong to the Team Leader’s institution.  

The Team Leader and Co-leader are expected to each dedicate at least 20 percent (or 40 percent combined) of their time and effort to the research project. Principals must each dedicate at least 10 percent of their time and effort to the research project.

Employees or subcontractors of for-profit industry are not eligible to serve as a Research Team Leader, Co-leader, or Principal; however their participation as Collaborators is encouraged, where appropriate, to foster the development of novel diagnostic and treatment strategies. No grant funds may be directly awarded to Collaborators or any other individual working within a U.S. government institution/agency or a for-profit industry. Confidentiality and intellectual property issues must be negotiated with Collaborators prior to their participation in a Research Team project.