Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program Funding Opportunities for Fiscal Year 2019 (FY19)

The FY19 Defense Appropriation provides $100 million (M) to the Department of Defense Prostate Cancer Research Program (PCRP) to support innovative, high-impact prostate cancer research. As directed by the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs, the Defense Health Agency J9, Research and Development Directorate, manages the Defense Health Program Research, Development, Test, and Evaluation appropriation. The managing agent for the anticipated Program Announcements/Funding Opportunities is the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) at the U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC).

The PCRP is providing the information in this pre-announcement to allow investigators time to plan and develop applications. FY19 PCRP Program Announcements and General Application Instructions for the following award mechanisms are anticipated to be posted on the Grants.gov website in April 2019. Pre-application and application deadlines will be available when the Program Announcements are released. This pre-announcement should not be construed as an obligation by the Government.

The mission of the PCRP is to fund research that will lead to the elimination of death from prostate cancer and enhance the well-being of Service members, Veterans, and all the men and their families who are experiencing the impact of the disease. Applications submitted to the FY19 PCRP must address one or more of the program’s Overarching Challenges:

• Improve the quality of life for survivors of prostate cancer
• Develop treatments that improve outcomes for men with lethal prostate cancer
• Reduce lethal prostate cancer in African Americans, Veterans, and other high-risk populations
• Define the biology of lethal prostate cancer to reduce death

https://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/press/2019/19pcrppreann

Early Investigator Research Award

By March 31, 2020, Postdoctoral Principal Investigators (PIs):

• Must possess a doctoral degree (or equivalent)
• Have 3 years or less of postdoctoral research experience (excluding clinical residency or clinical fellowship training)
• Supports research opportunities focused on prostate cancer for individuals in the early stages of their careers.
• PIs must have a designated mentor who is an experienced prostate cancer researcher.
• Maximum funding of $200,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 2 years.

Physician Research Award

At the time of application submission, the PI must be either:

In the last year of an accredited medical residency or medical fellowship program

or

• Within 5 years of having initiated a faculty appointment (including Instructor positions)
• Supports a mentored research experience to prepare physicians with clinical duties for careers in prostate cancer research.
• PIs must demonstrate a commitment to a career at the forefront of prostate cancer research and clinical practice.
• PIs must have a designated mentor with an established research program in prostate cancer.
• Maximum funding of $750K for direct costs (plus indirect costs).
• Maximum period of performance is 4 years.

Idea Development Award

Established Investigators: Independent investigators at all levels

or

New Investigators: Investigators that meet the following criteria at the application submission deadline date:

• Have the freedom to pursue individual aims without formal mentorship
• Have not previously received a PCRP Idea Development Award and/or Health Disparity Research Award
• Have either completed at least 3 years of postdoctoral training or fellowship or are within 10 years after completion of terminal degree (excluding residency or family leave)
• Preproposal is required; application submission is by invitation only.
• Supports new ideas that represent innovative, high-risk/high-gain approaches to prostate cancer research and have the potential to make an important contribution to one or more of the FY19 PCRP Overarching Challenges.
• Emphasis is equally placed on Innovation and Impact.
• Preliminary data are encouraged, but not required.
• Clinical trials are not allowed.
• Each PI may submit only one application.
• New Investigator Option supports applicants early in their faculty appointments or in the process of developing independent research careers
• Established Investigators:
• Maximum funding of $750,000 for direct costs (plus indirect costs).