Developmental Research Program

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ABSTRACT – DEVELOPMENTAL REARCH PROGRAM The DHART SPORE Developmental Research Program (DRP) will support innovative pilot projects to advance the diagnosis and treatment of early stage tumors and advanced cancers characterized by germline and somatic NF1 mutations. The DRP will accomplish this goal by supporting rigorous translational research in the areas of population science, therapeutics, and mechanisms of disease. We expect that many established investigators will utilize DRP support to launch new research endeavors and to generate preliminary data in NF1 and RASopathy-associated cancers leading to successful grant applications to the NIH, the Department of Defense NF Research Program, and other funding agencies. The ultimate goal of the DRP is to advance high level research activities related to NF1-associated tumors, which we will achieve by recruiting and supporting established investigators developing a new research theme in the field of NF1-related cancers. The translational studies supported by the DRP also have the potential to replace SPORE projects that have been completed or are not progressing satisfactorily toward achieving their objectives. This SPORE also includes a Career Enhancement Program (CEP) for young investigators, which is described in a separate section of this application. The institutions participating in the DHART SPORE renewal have committed a total of $1.65 million to support the Developmental Programs of the DHART SPORE (inclusive of the DRP and CEP). Investigators from any DHART SPORE center can apply for DRP funds. In addition, we actively solicit applications from non-SPORE investigators and institutions. The specific aims of the DRP are: (1) to fund promising projects in order to generate preliminary data for grant applications to the NIH or other federal funding agencies. The DRP emphasizes supporting the recruitment of investigators from historically disenfranchised racial, ethnic, sexual orientation and disability groups that are under-represented in health sciences, hereafter termed underrepresented minority (URM) investigators ; (2) to support the development of new techniques and resources that can be applied to advance translational research to improve the treatment of NF1-associated tumors; (3) to expand the scope of research in NF1, including funding high risk/high reward projects; and, (4) to recruit talented investigators into NF1 research as it relates to cancer, and to promote new collaborations in this field across a range of investigators and disciplines. The DRP will provide evaluation, funding, and oversight for pilot projects. Each project will receive a minimum of $50,000 with a maximum of $75,000 per year, with the potential for a single renewal. Applications for DRP support (including requests for a second year of funding) will be evaluated through a competitive process with review by a Developmental Programs Steering Committee (DPSC) comprised of senior scientists participating in this SPORE and oversight and guidance from the External and Internal Advisory Boards.