DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Career Development Award- Scholar Option | HT942524PRCRPCDASO

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.

• 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.

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