Policy and Procedures
University of Pittsburgh Head & Neck Cancer SPORE Developmental Research (Pilot Project) Program
POLICYThe University of Pittsburgh Head & Neck Cancer SPORE has established a program to encourage the development of pilot research projects in head & neck cancer. The overall goal of the Developmental Research Program is to provide seed funding to investigators for novel research in head & neck cancer to further the basic, clinical, and translational research priorities of the Head & Neck Cancer SPORE. This program provides funding support, guidance and mentoring during the development and performance of projects. Projects must involve research related directly to head & neck cancer. Areas of interest include, but are not limited to, cell biology, genetics, immunology, molecular carcinogenesis, epidemiology, biobehavioral oncology, high risk behaviors that lead to head and neck cancer, community outreach and education, chemoprevention, experimental therapeutics, and clinical investigations. These activities of the Developmental Research Program will stimulate innovative research toward meeting the translational goals of the Head & Neck Cancer SPORE: reduction in the incidence, morbidity, and mortality from head & neck cancer. Pilot project support is available on a competitive basis to all faculty members of the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University. SPORE Developmental Research Projects should have a PI and a Co-PI, one a basic research scientist and the other, a clinical/translational researcher. Proposals for these projects are usually solicited once per year. This is a special solicitation for which proposals are due January 15, 2006 and funding will be available March 1, 2006. Proposals are for a maximum of $50,000 for one year with the option for renewal for a second year if the project is progressing successfully and funds are available.
A copy of the application form can be downloaded here, or by contacting Ms. Denise Boozer, Head and Neck SPORE Administrator, at 412-647-5280, Eye & Ear Institute Room 105, or via email at boozerd@upmc.edu. For scientific guidance or additional information, contact William L. Bigbee, PhD, Susanne M. Gollin, PhD, or Jonas T. Johnson, MD, Head & Neck SPORE Developmental Research Program Leaders, via email at bigbeewl@upmc.edu, sgollin@hgen.pitt.edu, or johnsonjt@upmc.edu.
PROCEDURES
The following procedure will be followed for the program:
| Year 01 Pilot Program Timeline: | |
|---|---|
| Proposals Due No Later Than | July 12, 2004 |
| Announcement of Awards | August 20, 2004 |
| Funding of Awards | September 1, 2004 |
| Second Solicitation | |
| Proposals Due No Later Than | January 24, 2005 |
| Announcement of Awards | March 1, 2005 |
| Funding of Awards | March 1, 2005 |
| Year 02 Pilot Program Timeline: | |
| Proposals Due No Later Than | August 15, 2005 |
| Announcement of Awards | October 1, 2005 |
| Funding of Awards | October 15, 2005 | Second Solicitation |
| Proposals Due No Later Than | January 15, 2006 |
| Announcement of Awards | March 1, 2006 |
| Funding of Awards | March 1, 2006 |
| Year 03 Pilot Program Timeline: | |
| Proposals Due No Later Than | July 1, 2006 |
| Announcement of Awards | September 15, 2006 |
| Funding of Awards | September 1, 2006 |
| Year 04 Pilot Program Timeline: | |
| Proposals Due No Later Than | July 1, 2007 |
| Announcement of Awards | September 15, 2007 |
| Funding of Awards | September 1, 2007 |
| Year 05 Pilot Program Timeline: | |
| Proposals Due No Later Than | July 1, 2008 |
| Announcement of Awards | September 15, 2008 |
| Funding of Awards | September 1, 2008 |
To apply, researchers should submit the application form, including a five-page description of the project. Reviewers will evaluate the scientific quality of the application, innovation, the potential for definitive results within one year, stimulation of collaboration among investigators towards the goals of the SPORE, the likelihood of progression to a full translational SPORE project or investigator-initiated project in the next year or two, the translational potential of the work, and its potential reducing head & neck cancer incidence, mortality, and enhancing quality of life. In no more than ½ page, the applicant should describe the translational potential of the project to have an impact on the diagnosis, treatment and/or prevention of head & neck cancer. Detailed methodology may be appended, but all data critical to the review should be included in the text of the proposal. If examination of patients, animals, or a clinical trial is involved, a copy of the approved protocol should be appended together with an indication of its status relative to UPCI, IRB, and/or IACUC review.
A detailed budget (PHS 398 form DD) along with a detailed budget justification should be provided demonstrating the need for funding. A biographical sketch (PHS 398 form FF) should be provided for all investigators, including other funds available to the laboratory (other support), along with an indication of the extent to which the proposed project is distinct from the supported studies.
Submission of original proposal and 12 copies will be made directly to Ms. Denise Boozer, Head and Neck SPORE Administrator, Eye & Ear Institute Room 105, telephone 412-647-5280 or via email at boozerd@upmc.edu.
For review, the Developmental Research Program Leaders will assign one primary and at least two secondary reviewers from the Developmental Research Program Review Committee (comprised of the Head & Neck SPORE Executive Committee and the Developmental Research Program Leaders) and an external/ad hoc secondary reviewer (if needed) to each proposal, and distribute the applications to all Developmental Research Program Review Committee members. External/ad hoc reviewers from the UPCI, UPMC-HS, and CMU and from outside the institution, such as members of the Head & Neck and Lung Cancer SPORE External Advisory Boards or senior investigators from other SPOREs, will be invited to participate as needed. Reviewers will each prepare a written critique of the proposal using the NIH review system. These critiques will be distributed to the Committee. A final funding decision and budget determination of the approved proposals will then be made by the Developmental Research Program Review Committee. Each investigator submitting a proposal may suggest a Head & Neck SPORE investigator who will serve as a mentor during the course of their study and take responsibility for ensuring that the translational aims of the developmental research project are achieved. The Committee and/or Developmental Research Program Leaders will determine who will serve as the mentor for each funded project.
Applicants may wish to contact investigators involved in Head & Neck and Lung Cancer SPOREs for advice and/or collaborations. For scientific guidance or additional information, contact William L. Bigbee, PhD, Susanne M. Gollin, PhD, or Jonas T. Johnson, MD, Head & Neck SPORE Developmental Research Program Leaders, via email at bigbeewl@upmc.edu, sgollin@hgen.pitt.edu, or johnsonjt@upmc.edu.