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AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grant

Grant Amount $350,000 USD
Grant Term3 Years
Start of Grant TermDecember 1, 2023
Letter of Intent DeadlineMay 30, 2023 1:00 PM (ET)
Letter of Intent Notification DateJuly 2023
Application DeadlineSeptember 6, 2023 1:00 PM (ET)
Decision DateOctober 2023
Additional InformationAdditional details regarding this grant can be found in the Program Guidelines and Application Instructions. Final determinations of eligibility will not be completed until the AACR is in receipt of the submitted application. All applicants with questions about eligibility should contact the AACR’s SRGA at [email protected] before submitting a Letter of Intent.
Description

The AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grants represent a joint effort to promote and support independent investigators who are currently conducting innovative research focused on Tumor Treating Fields (TTFields; intermediate frequency, low intensity, alternating electric fields that disrupt cell division in cancer cells) as well as to encourage independent investigators to enter the TTFields research field. The Inovitro® system (which will be provided by Novocure, if needed), must be included in the experimental design. These grants are intended to provide a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of this novel anti-cancer treatment modality and to accelerate the development of new treatment strategies to advance therapeutic options for cancer.

Each grant provides $350,000 over three years for expenses related to the research project, which may include salary and benefits of the grant recipient and any collaborators*, postdoctoral or clinical research fellows, graduate students and/or research assistants; research/laboratory supplies; equipment; travel; publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project; other research expenses; and indirect costs. (*Note that inter-laboratory collaboration is encouraged, particularly for applicants new to TTFields research.)

Program Guidelines

Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available for download. Please read all guidelines and instructions carefully before submitting a Letter of Intent.

Research Project Criteria

Research proposals must incorporate the Inovitro® system into the experimental design. For grant recipients who are affiliated with institutions that do not currently hold a Materials Transfer Agreement (MTA) with Novocure for use of its devices, Novocure will provide this system to complete the research. For additional details, please see the MTA and Terms and Conditions. If selected for funding, Novocure will work with the institution to execute an MTA.

Research projects should examine the use of TTFields as a therapeutic modality for cancer. Proposals may include 1) Basic and translational approaches, promoting the transition of TTFields in vitro work into in vivo systems, 2) Studies that link preclinical and clinical data, or 3) Studies with ability to translate into the clinic for the treatment of cancer.

Projects focused on one or more of the areas outlined below are strongly encouraged:

  • Key cancer-related signaling and cellular pathways
  • Metabolic effects of TTFields
  • Studies that include Omics data (genomics, transcriptomic, proteomics)
  • TTFields immunological aspects and the potential combination with immunotherapy
  • Combinational studies with approved agents, preferably to include mechanistic aspects
Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must be AACR Active members who are independent investigators and have a doctoral degree (PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral degree.

Current and past recipients of an AACR-Novocure Tumor Treating Fields Research Grants are not eligible to apply. Multiple applications for the AACR-Novocure Cancer Research Grant or AACR-Novocure Career Development Award for Cancer Research may be submitted from the same institution as long as the applicants are not collaborators on an active grant.

Current AACR Grantees may apply if their current grant ends before the start of the grant term of this funding opportunity i.e., grant start date, and must be up to date with all reporting requirements to be considered eligible. Please contact the AACR’s SRGA for confirmation before submitting a Letter of Intent.

Employees or subcontractors of a U.S. government entity or for-profit private industry are not eligible. Employees or subcontractors of a U.S. government entity or for‐profit private industry may serve as Collaborators, but no grant funds may be directed toward these individuals.

Citizenship Requirements

There are no citizenship requirements; however, by submitting an application for this grant, an applicant applying from an institution located in a country in which they are not a citizen or a permanent resident assures that the visa status will provide sufficient time to complete the project and grant term at the institution from which they applied.

AACR Membership Requirements

Applicants must be AACR Active members. Nonmembers interested in this grant opportunity must submit a satisfactory application for AACR Active membership by the Letter of Intent deadline. Nonmembers can apply for membership online. Members can renew their membership through myAACR to bring their membership current. You will need your logon (email address) and password to access the member portal. If you require assistance logging in, please submit a help form. Lapsed members must be members in good standing by the application deadline and should contact the Membership Department at [email protected] for assistance.

Application Instructions

The AACR requires applicants to complete an online Letter of Intent submission by 1:00 p.m. U.S. Eastern Time on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, using the ProposalCentral website at https://proposalcentral.com.

Program Guidelines and Application Instructions are available in PDF format.