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AACR-The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research “Science of the Patient” (SOP) Grants

Grant Amount $750,000 USD
Grant Term3 Years
Start of Grant TermDecember 15, 2020
Letter of Intent DeadlineJuly 13, 2020 1:00 PM (EDT)
Letter of Intent Notification Date9/18/2020
Application DeadlineNovember 4, 2020 1:00 PM (EDT)
Decision Date12/2020
Additional Information

GRANTS RECEPTION AND DINNER AT THE AACR ANNUAL MEETING 2021

April 13, 2021 – Grantees must attend the Grants Reception and Dinner to be recognized as the inaugural recipients of these exciting new grants. Grant funds may be used to support the grantees’ registration and attendance at this Annual Meeting.

Description

The AACR-The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research “Science of the Patient” (SOP) Grants Program represents a joint effort to stimulate novel research aimed at understanding the influence of the biology of the host (i.e., patient) on the genesis, development, treatment, and survivorship of cancer. Successful projects should emphasize the interplay of host physiological systems with the tumor and/or tumor microenvironment. Harnessing the powerful approach of examining cancer not as an isolated phenomenon but as a systemic disease that affects and is affected by both the normal and pathological functions of the patient’s body, these grants are expected to yield important advancements in our understanding of cancer development, progression, and treatment. Individuals with innovative ideas that have the potential to affect future clinical practice are particularly encouraged to apply. 

Each grant will provide $750,000 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 (including tuition costs), and research assistants; research/laboratory supplies; equipment; travel applicable to the research project; publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project; other research expenses; and indirect costs.

Program Guidelines

Please carefully read the Competitive Letter of Intent Program Guidelines and Application Instructions for all eligibility criteria and details on how to submit a Letter of Intent for this funding opportunity.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).

Update June 10, 2020: Revisions to indirect costs have been made within the Terms and Conditions of this grant program. Please note this notice is provided only for reference. Terms and conditions found within this document are preliminary, and are not binding until the award stage after full execution of the grant agreement. A copy of this document may also be found within the online application platform, proposalCENTRAL.

Research Project Criteria

The proposed research must represent a highly innovative approach to a major problem or challenge in cancer research, with an emphasis on understanding the influence of the biology of the host on the genesis, development, treatment, and sequelae of cancer. The funded projects are expected to catalyze important advances in the field and should have a potentially transformative impact on future clinical practice. Additional information regarding scientific focus can be found within the Program Guidelines.

Applicants with questions about the eligibility of their proposed research are encouraged to contact the AACR’s SRGA at [email protected] to discuss with a Scientific Program Administrator.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must have a doctoral degree (including PhD, MD, MD/PhD, or equivalent) in a related field and not currently be a candidate for a further doctoral degree. 

Letters of Intent will be accepted from independent investigators who are employed by an academic, medical, or research institution anywhere in the world. Postdoctoral or clinical research fellows or the equivalent who are working under the auspices of a scientific mentor are not eligible to apply. Qualified fellows are invited to apply for an AACR Fellowship.

If eligibility is based on a future position, the position must be confirmed at the time of submission, and CANNOT be contingent upon receiving this grant.

If the future position is at a different institution than the applicant’s current institution, the applicant must contact the AACR’s Scientific Review and Grants Administration Department (the AACR’s SRGA) at [email protected] before submitting their Letter of Intent for information on additional verification materials/signatures that may be required.

Investigators may submit only one Letter of Intent for the AACR-The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research “Science of the Patient” (SOP) Grants, but may concurrently apply for other AACR and Mark Foundation grants. Current AACR and Mark Foundation Grantees may apply, but must be up to date with all reporting requirements to be considered eligible. Projects for concurrent grants must be substantially different.

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 towards these individuals.

Members of the Scientific Review Committee are not eligible to apply for a AACR-The Mark Foundation for Cancer Research “Science of the Patient” (SOP) Grants.

All applicants with questions about eligibility must contact the AACR’s SRGA at [email protected] before submitting a Letter of Intent.

Citizenship Requirements

There are no citizenship or geographic requirements. However, by submitting a Letter of Intent 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 their 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 members. Nonmembers interested in this grant opportunity must submit a satisfactory application for AACR Active membership by the application deadline. Nonmembers can apply for membership online or by submitting the Official Membership Application Form to the AACR with the required documents. Please review the Membership Categories for the category that best fits your qualifications. 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 contact [email protected]. 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 Monday, July 13, 2020, using the proposalCENTRAL website at https://proposalcentral.com.

Please carefully read the Competitive Letter of Intent Program Guidelines and Application Instructions for full details on all eligibility criteria and how to apply for this funding opportunity.

Please review the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).