THE BASIC AND CLINICAL SCIENCE OF TESTICULAR CANCER

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Request for grant proposals from the Lance Armstrong Foundation
 

The deadline for receipt of letters of intent is May 13, 2005
The deadline for receipt of applications is July 29, 2005

Testicular cancer remains a leading cause of cancer morbidity and mortality for young men. The biology of the disease, the epidemiology of the increasing prevalence, the psychosocial impact, and the realm of clinical investigations make testicular cancer a paradigm for aggressive but curable malignancies.

It is the intent of the Lance Armstrong Foundation (LAF) to support cutting-edge research of testicular cancer. Grants can be used to promote career development of young investigators, or to fund exploratory or pilot projects that will allow future submission of refined grant requests to federal-funding agencies. Approximately one-third of the LAF's research budget is dedicated to testicular research. LAF research awards are internationally-recognized and highly competitive. Last year, 12% of the applications were funded.

Submitted proposals may be in basic science, basic science translated to clinical issues, or innovative primary clinical investigations. (This RFP is not intended to support grants addressing large clinical trials (Phase III) or Phase I or II trials without clear translational goals.) All submissions must relate directly to the study of testicular cancer. Applications studying other germ cell neoplasms will be considered, if there is proven applicability to testicular cancer.

Research proposals are evaluated on scientific merit and adherence to the LAF's priorities including:

- Overall scientific merit
- Potential impact of the project or of resources created or validated by the project
- Adequacy of prior research and theory in providing a basis for the research
- Adequacy of methods, including statistical inference, for achieving research aims and validating findings
- Adequacy of environment: facilities/equipment, available expertise, and overall commitment to research
- Qualifications and productivity of the principal investigator and key personnel
- Qualifications and adequate mentoring of young investigators
- Availability of subjects/patients (if human model is used)

Two types of research grant proposals will be accepted in 2005:

1. YOUNG INVESTIGATOR RESEARCH AWARDS:
The LAF will grant Young Investigator Research Awards of up to $50,000 to support research to be carried out by investigators in the early stages of their careers dedicated to the study of testicular cancer. Young investigators must be within eight years of completing a terminal degree, or within five years of initiating independent research within a mentored laboratory. Proposals may request 1-2 years of funding with a yearly budget not to exceed $50,000, plus 10% indirect costs. For multi-year grants, continued support after the first year is contingent upon a non-competitive LAF review and demonstration of satisfactory completion of proposed research objectives and appropriate budget expenditures. After completion of the project, proposals may be resubmitted for competitive renewal. Total funding may not exceed four years.

2. RESEARCH AWARDS:
The LAF will grant Research Awards of up to $75,000 to support new research projects initiated by established investigators. Projects that develop preliminary data, which will lead to subsequent funding from additional sources are particularly encouraged. Proposals may request 1-3 years of funding with a yearly budget not to exceed $75,000, plus 10% indirect costs. For multi-year grants, continued support after the first year is contingent upon a non-competitive LAF review and demonstration of satisfactory completion of proposed research objectives and appropriate budget expenditures. After completion of the project, proposals may be resubmitted for competitive renewal. Total funding may not exceed five years.

All interested applicants must first submit a letter of intent (LOI). Instructions for completing an LOI will be available on the LAF's Web site (www.laf.org) as of March 14, 2005. LOIs may be submitted between March 14, 2005 and May 13, 2005. Notification of approved LOIs will be received by June 7, 2005. Access will be given to the electronic application form at that time, with final applications due by July 29, 2005. Applications will only be accepted from those who have received approval for their letter of intent.

All proposals will be peer reviewed for merit. Successful applicants will be notified in the fall of 2005, with funding beginning January 1, 2006. Overlapping funding from other sources will not be allowed; however, LAF funding may be used to augment existing funding. Individual applicants may hold only one grant from the LAF at a time. Applications are accepted only from non-profit organizations, including institutions located outside of the United States.

The application form will request the following information:

Technical Abstract and Lay Abstract (limit one page)
Proposal (ten page limit)
- Specific Aims
- Background and Significance
- Preliminary Studies
- Experimental Design and Methods
Literature Cited (not included in 10 pages)
Budget and Justification
Biosketches in NIH Format
Mentor letters for Young Investigator Awards

For additional information on general terms and conditions of LAF research grant awards, please visit our Research page. Grant proposals that do not adhere to the application guidelines will be returned to applicants. Non-electronic documents must be scanned and submitted as electronic files.

Questions regarding the LAF's Research Program and this RFP can be directed to:

Amy Nunn
Grants Coordinator
Lance Armstrong Foundation
Tel: 512-236-8820, ext. 181
Email: amy.nunn@laf.org