Office of Scientific Development

Technology development is a major driver of scientific discovery. However, the development of new methods and technology is challenging within an individual PI’s laboratory as it often requires interdisciplinary expertise and a team of collaborating researchers. In other cases, ideas for new methods often arise from cursory observations in the lab and further pursuit may fall outside the immediate focus of a PI’s research program. Methods development is invariably a high-risk enterprise.

The CCR seeks proposals for the development of ground-breaking new methods and technology in any area of biomedicine ranging from basic research tools to clinical technology. Proposals should be relevant to cancer research.  This award is for individual investigators.

Goals

High-priority goals for proposed projects should include, but not limited to the items below. Projects must be relevant to cancer research.

• Development of transformational innovative technologies for application in any area of basic research 
• Development of high-impact diagnostic or prognostic methods
• Development of ground-breaking clinical technology

Selection Criteria

Key criteria for evaluation of proposals are below.

• General Considerations: As with all the FLEX Award categories, projects felt to be high impact, i.e., likely to have a sustained, powerful influence on the research field(s) will be given highest priority.  In addition, the innovation, significance, and approach will also be assessed for each project.  Projects must be relevant to cancer research.

• Award Specific Criteria

Potential impact of methodology: Successful projects will develop methods of potential utility by a wide community of basic and/or clinical researchers. Methods that are primarily useful to the submitting PIs are not suitable.

Degree of innovation: The technology must be novel. Improvements of existing methods or application of existing technology to new experimental systems or clinical settings are not suitable.

Feasibility: The PI must provide evidence for the feasibility of the proposed method and demonstrate relevant expertise. The inclusion of preliminary data to demonstrate feasibility is encouraged, but not required.

Critical Information to Include: How will this project lead to development of transformational new technologies for application in any area of basic research; or high-impact diagnostic or prognostic methods; or ground-breaking clinical technology?

Eligibility

Applicants must be a CCR intramural Tenure-track PI, Tenured PI, Senior clinician, or Senior scientist in the Center for Cancer Research. Those in the Physician-Scientist Early Investigator (PEI) program can apply but must include a tenured PI as a co-PI. Site-visited Staff Scientists who have independent budgets (CANs) are also eligible. Non-NCI researchers can collaborate on a project or be a co-PI, but these individuals cannot receive funds. Please click here for more specifics on who may apply.

Funding

CCR will provide funding for up to 3 years, up to $125,000 per year to cover personnel and supply costs. A detailed budget is required to justify requested funds.

Review Process

Review of proposals will occur in two stages. After the review of Letters of Intent (LOI), short-listed applicants (approximately 20% of submitted LOIs) will be invited to submit a full proposal for review.

The CCR Science Board will evaluate LOIs and invited full proposals.