Developmental Research Program

项目摘要/摘要

PROJECT SUMMARY/ ABSTRACT The overall goals of the Route 66 Endometrial Cancer SPORE Developmental Research Program (DRP) are to support innovative, early-stage research in endometrial cancer, to develop pilot projects to the point of inclusion as full SPORE projects, to increase the number of investigators committed to endometrial cancer, and to diversify the workforce. This last goal is important because less than 3% of oncologists and less than 4% of academic obstetricians and gynecologist identify as Black. Moreover, although over 80% of those working in obstetrics and gynecology are women, fewer than 30% of tenured faculty members in Departments of Obstetrics and Gynecology are women. To achieve these goals, the Route 66 Endometrial Cancer SPORE DRP will provide one- to two-year pilot funding for projects in basic, translational, clinical, epidemiologic, and cancer prevention and control research. The DRP will be open to all three participating institutions in the SPORE (Washington University in St. Louis, University of New Mexico, and University of Oklahoma). We will encourage investigators to submit collaborative proposals with investigators from other SPOREs. We will use both NCI and institutional funding to support up to three DRP projects each year throughout the life of the SPORE. Requests for applications for DRP projects in endometrial cancer research will be released once per year. All applications will be reviewed by a Grant Review Committee consisting of scientists (representing basic and applied science) with expertise in endometrial or related cancers or relevant science, a biostatistician, a patient advocate, and ad hoc members, as necessary. Once a DRP project is funded, we will provide dedicated support to ensure success of the project, evaluate progress regularly, assess outcomes, and decide whether DRP projects should be recommended for funding as a full SPORE project in this or a future funding cycle. As a result of the DRP, bold new ideas in endometrial cancer research will be funded at the pilot stage and developed to lead to new treatment or prevention strategies. We fully anticipate that one or more DRP projects will be elevated to full SPORE projects in the next funding period. Additionally, new investigators will leverage DRP support to develop their projects, obtain preliminary data, and secure external funding and thus establish their careers in endometrial cancer research. Finally, established investigators who are new to the field will apply their knowledge and expertise to the field of endometrial cancer.