Opportunity Information: Apply for HT942524PRCRPCDASO
The DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Career Development Award, Scholar Option (CDA-SO) is a Department of Defense grant aimed at building the next generation of cancer research leaders by supporting highly accomplished early-career investigators who are ready to run an independent research program. The early-career investigator is the Principal Investigator (PI) and the application is expected to center on both the PI's proposed cancer research project and a strong, realistic plan for career growth. The mechanism emphasizes discovery-oriented, impactful work, and it does not require preliminary data, although the proposal must still present clear logic, a well-supported scientific rationale, and a convincing case that the approach can move the field forward.
A defining feature of this award is its integration with a structured mentoring and networking environment called the Virtual Cancer Center (VCC). Awardees are referred to as Scholars and they conduct their research under the guidance of an experienced cancer researcher serving as the Career Guide. Beyond the one-on-one mentor relationship, Scholars must actively participate in the VCC, which is designed to be an interactive, collaborative community that helps early-career researchers expand their scientific network, develop leadership skills, and form cross-cutting collaborations across cancer types. VCC leadership (a Director and Deputy Director) is supported through a separate award mechanism, and that leadership team is expected to provide intensive mentoring, national networking opportunities, and a cohesive peer group experience for Scholars. Participation is not optional: Scholars are required to interact with VCC leadership and fellow Scholars and must attend an annual in-person meeting with VCC members.
Eligibility and expectations for the Scholar are specific and geared toward investigators who have already demonstrated momentum but are still within an early-career window. The PI must be within 7 years of completing their terminal degree at the application deadline, with allowances to exclude time spent in residency, clinical training, or family medical leave; importantly, time spent in postdoctoral training still counts toward the 7-year window, and postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply. The Scholar must hold a tenure-track position (or equivalent) and show substantial evidence of independence and achievement, such as first-author publications and meaningful extramural funding (beyond nominal amounts), supported by strong letters of recommendation. Another key requirement is research independence in practice, not just on paper: the Scholar must have independent laboratory space that is separate from the Career Guide's lab or any other mentor's lab, reinforcing the program's intent to support investigators who are operating as independent faculty-level researchers.
The Career Guide plays a central role and must be a well-established cancer researcher with a strong publication and funding track record. Just as important as credentials, the Guide must show a real commitment to advancing the Scholar's career and must be willing to engage fully with the VCC structure, including potential service on a VCC Advisory Board if VCC leadership requests it. This reflects that mentoring is treated as an active, program-wide responsibility rather than a nominal letter of support.
Applications must include a detailed Career Development Plan built in coordination with the Career Guide. This plan should lay out a concrete strategy for gaining skills, expertise, and increasing independence, with the goal of positioning the Scholar at the forefront of cancer research in at least one of the FY24 PRCRP Topic Areas. The program also requires clear milestones and a pathway for reaching them, not only describing what the Scholar intends to accomplish scientifically, but also how they will develop professionally through networking, collaboration, and engagement with the VCC community. Reviewers will weigh both the Scholar's track record and the proposed plan as indicators of future leadership and sustained productivity in cancer research.
Impact is a core evaluation theme throughout the opportunity. Applicants are expected to explain how the work could meaningfully influence cancer research and/or patient care, with an emphasis on accelerating the translation of promising ideas toward clinical application. In other words, even though the award supports discovery, it is not meant to be purely exploratory without a credible link to how the findings could matter for the field and, ultimately, patients.
From an administrative standpoint, this is a discretionary grant funded under CFDA 12.420, offered by the Department of the Army (USAMRAA). The funding opportunity number is HT942524PRCRPCDASO. The posted close date is July 26, 2024, and the program anticipates making around 12 awards. The listing indicates an award ceiling is not specified in the provided source text, so applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits and allowable cost details. Eligible applicants are listed as unrestricted, suggesting a broad applicant pool, though the Scholar-specific career stage and position requirements effectively narrow who can apply.Apply for HT942524PRCRPCDASO
- The Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Career Development Award- Scholar Option" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-05-01.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 12 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs): DoD PRCRP Career Development Award, Scholar Option (CDA-SO)
1) What is the PRCRP Career Development Award, Scholar Option (CDA-SO)?
The DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer Research Program (PRCRP) Career Development Award, Scholar Option (CDA-SO) is a Department of Defense grant designed to help build the next generation of cancer research leaders. It supports highly accomplished early-career investigators who are prepared to run an independent cancer research program, while also developing professionally through a structured mentoring and networking environment.
2) What is the main goal of this funding mechanism?
The mechanism aims to develop early-career investigators into independent, impactful cancer research leaders. Applications are expected to focus on both a strong cancer research project and a realistic, well-supported plan for the Principal Investigator's (PI's) career growth and leadership development.
3) Who is considered the Principal Investigator (PI) for this award?
The early-career investigator is the PI. The award is structured around supporting the PI as an emerging independent leader, rather than supporting a trainee or a postdoctoral fellow.
4) Is preliminary data required for the CDA-SO application?
No. Preliminary data is not required. However, the proposal must still provide clear logic, a well-supported scientific rationale, and a convincing case that the approach is feasible and can move the field forward.
5) What kind of research does the CDA-SO emphasize?
The program emphasizes discovery-oriented and impactful cancer research. Even though discovery is encouraged, the work is expected to be positioned to influence the field in a meaningful way, including a credible connection to how findings could matter for cancer research and/or patient care.
6) What is the Virtual Cancer Center (VCC) and why does it matter?
The Virtual Cancer Center (VCC) is a structured mentoring and networking environment integrated into the award. It is intended to be an interactive, collaborative community where Scholars expand their scientific networks, develop leadership skills, and form collaborations that can cut across cancer types.
7) Is participation in the Virtual Cancer Center (VCC) required?
Yes. Participation is not optional. Scholars are required to interact with VCC leadership and fellow Scholars and must attend an annual in-person meeting with VCC members.
8) Who are "Scholars" in this program?
Awardees of the CDA-SO are referred to as Scholars. Scholars conduct their research while engaging in the VCC community and receiving guidance from an experienced cancer researcher serving as their Career Guide.
9) Who provides mentoring under this award?
Mentoring occurs at two levels: (1) one-on-one guidance from an experienced cancer researcher serving as the Career Guide, and (2) structured engagement with VCC leadership and a peer cohort of other Scholars through the VCC.
10) Who leads the VCC?
VCC leadership includes a Director and Deputy Director who are supported through a separate award mechanism. This leadership team is expected to provide intensive mentoring, national networking opportunities, and a cohesive peer group experience for Scholars.
11) What is a Career Guide?
The Career Guide is an experienced, well-established cancer researcher who guides the Scholar's development. The Guide is expected to have a strong track record in publications and funding and must demonstrate a genuine commitment to advancing the Scholar's career.
12) Does the Career Guide have responsibilities beyond mentoring the Scholar?
Yes. The Career Guide must be willing to engage fully with the VCC structure. The Guide may also be asked by VCC leadership to serve on a VCC Advisory Board, reflecting that mentoring is treated as an active, program-wide responsibility.
13) What are the key eligibility timing requirements for the PI?
The PI must be within 7 years of completing their terminal degree at the application deadline. Certain time periods can be excluded from that calculation, including time spent in residency, clinical training, or family medical leave.
14) Does postdoctoral training time count toward the 7-year eligibility window?
Yes. Time spent in postdoctoral training still counts toward the 7-year window.
15) Are postdoctoral fellows eligible to apply?
No. Postdoctoral fellows are not eligible to apply for this award.
16) What type of position must the Scholar/PI hold?
The Scholar must hold a tenure-track position (or equivalent). The award is geared toward early-career faculty-level investigators who are operating as independent researchers.
17) What evidence of independence and achievement is expected from the Scholar?
The program expects substantial evidence of independence and achievement, such as first-author publications and meaningful extramural funding (beyond nominal amounts), supported by strong letters of recommendation.
18) Are there lab space requirements for the Scholar?
Yes. The Scholar must have independent laboratory space that is separate from the Career Guide's lab or any other mentor's lab. This is intended to demonstrate research independence in practice, not just in title or paperwork.
19) What is required in the Career Development Plan?
Applications must include a detailed Career Development Plan developed in coordination with the Career Guide. The plan should present a concrete strategy for gaining skills and expertise, increasing independence, and positioning the Scholar at the forefront of cancer research.
20) Does the Career Development Plan need to include milestones?
Yes. The program requires clear milestones and a pathway for reaching them. The plan should address both scientific progress and professional development, including networking, collaboration, and engagement with the VCC community.
21) Does the proposed research have to align with specific cancer topics?
Yes. The Career Development Plan and overall effort should position the Scholar at the forefront of cancer research in at least one of the FY24 PRCRP Topic Areas.
22) How important is "impact" in the review of applications?
Impact is a core evaluation theme. Applicants are expected to explain how the work could meaningfully influence cancer research and/or patient care, with an emphasis on accelerating the translation of promising ideas toward clinical application.
23) Is this award intended for purely exploratory research?
No. While discovery-oriented work is emphasized and preliminary data is not required, the application should not be purely exploratory without a credible link to why the findings could matter for the field and, ultimately, patients.
24) What is the Funding Opportunity Number for this award?
The Funding Opportunity Number is HT942524PRCRPCDASO.
25) What is the posted close date (deadline) in the listing?
The posted close date is July 26, 2024.
26) Approximately how many awards are expected?
The program anticipates making around 12 awards.
27) Which agency is offering and administering this opportunity?
This is a discretionary grant funded under CFDA 12.420 and offered by the Department of the Army (USAMRAA) under the Department of Defense.
28) Who is eligible to apply as an organization?
The listing states eligible applicants are "unrestricted," suggesting a broad applicant pool at the organizational level. However, the Scholar-specific requirements (career stage, position type, independence, and related expectations) effectively narrow who can serve as the PI.
29) Is there an award ceiling or budget cap provided in the information here?
No. The listing indicates an award ceiling is not specified in the provided source text. Applicants would need to consult the full announcement for budget limits and allowable cost details.
30) What should applicants do if they need details not included in this summary?
Because some administrative details (such as budget limits and allowable costs) are not specified in the provided information, applicants would need to consult the full funding announcement associated with HT942524PRCRPCDASO for complete requirements.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development
Next opportunity: Afghanistan Integrated Youth Activity (AIYA)
Previous opportunity: Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award (R16 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for HT942524PRCRPCDASO
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (HT942524PRCRPCDASO) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Impact Award Apply for HT942524PRCRPIPA Funding Number: HT942524PRCRPIPA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Idea Award Apply for HT942524PRCRPIA Funding Number: HT942524PRCRPIA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Prostate Cancer, Physician Research Award Apply for HT942524PCRPPRA Funding Number: HT942524PCRPPRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Prostate Cancer, Early Investigator Research Award Apply for HT942524PCRPEIRA Funding Number: HT942524PCRPEIRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Prostate Cancer, Exploration - Hypothesis Development Award Apply for HT942524PCRPEHDA Funding Number: HT942524PCRPEHDA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD Prostate Cancer, Idea Development Award Apply for HT942524PCRPIDA Funding Number: HT942524PCRPIDA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Mathematical Foundations of Artificial Intelligence Apply for 24 569 Funding Number: 24 569 Agency: National Science Foundation Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G24AS00358 Funding Number: G24AS00358 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $150,000 |
| PILCEE Apply for 7200AA24RFA00013 Funding Number: 7200AA24RFA00013 Agency: Agency for International Development Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $74,900,000 |
| Public Wireless Supply Chain Innovation Fund Grant Program - Open Radio Commercialization and Innovation Apply for NTIA PWSCIF 24 01 Funding Number: NTIA PWSCIF 24 01 Agency: National Institute of Standards and Technology Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Great Lakes – Northern Forest Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G24AS00361 Funding Number: G24AS00361 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $132,796 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with Rocky Mountain Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G24AS00362 Funding Number: G24AS00362 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $39,657 |
| Cooperative Agreement for CESU-affiliated Partner with the Gulf Coast Cooperative Ecosystem Studies Unit Apply for G24AS00357 Funding Number: G24AS00357 Agency: Geological Survey Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: $33,000 |
| DoD Prostate Cancer, Implementation Science Award Apply for HT942524PCRPISA Funding Number: HT942524PCRPISA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DOD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Idea Development Award Apply for HT942524DMDRPIDA Funding Number: HT942524DMDRPIDA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DOD Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, Clinical/Translational Research Award Apply for HT942524DMDRPCTRA Funding Number: HT942524DMDRPCTRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD, Melanoma, Focused Program Award - Rare Melanomas Apply for HT942524MRPFPARM Funding Number: HT942524MRPFPARM Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD, Melanoma, Melanoma Academy Scholar Award Apply for HT942524MRPMASA Funding Number: HT942524MRPMASA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD, Melanoma, Survivorship Research Award Apply for HT942524MRPSRA Funding Number: HT942524MRPSRA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| DoD, Melanoma, Team Science Award Apply for HT942524MRPTSA Funding Number: HT942524MRPTSA Agency: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants
Inside Our Applicants Portal
Access Applicants Portal
- Grants Repository - Access current and historic funding opportunities with ease. Thousands of funding opportunities are published every week. We can help you sort through the database and find the eligible ones to apply for.
- Applicant Video Guides - The grant application process can be challenging to follow. We can help you with intuitive video guides to speed up the process and eliminate errors in submissions.
- Grant Proposal Wizard - We have developed a network of private funding organizations and investors across the United States. We can reach out and submit your proposal to these contacts to maximize your chances of getting the funding you need.
Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Learn More
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "HT942524PRCRPCDASO", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.