Multi-PI/Program Project Development Awards

Funding Opportunity Number

PICR-MPI-FY2024-01

Funding Opportunity Title

MULTI-PI/PROGRAM PROJECT DEVELOPMENT AWARDS

Key Dates

Announcement	January 11, 2024
Step 1 Due	March 1, 2024

Administrative Contact

Kim Sagendorf (ksagendorf@purdue.edu)

Funding Opportunity Description

The Executive Committee of the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research (PICR) will allocate funds to support innovative, cancer-focused grants from integrated teams that have as their major goal the submission of multi-PI grants recognized by the NCI. Integrated teams are emphasized because intra- and inter-disciplinary collaboration can lead to multi-PI and program project grants from the NIH which are expected by the NCI for our competing renewal every 5 years. Various mechanisms provided by the NIH support this opportunity (e.g. RM1, P01, P20, P50, U01, U54 etc.). Funding for this opportunity is supported by generous donations by the Indiana Elks and other donors through gifts and endowment funds to the PICR.

There are two stages to the proposal process. Step 1 is a three-page (maximum) description of:

the science and planned coordination/integration/synergy of the projects/research and hypothesis,
anticipated key data the funding would enable,
short description of PICR supported shared resources and other cores needed and how they would support the research,
proposed projects abstracts/specific aims, and
description of the roles of the investigators involved (including any history of working together).

Preliminary data are not required. Step 1 will not ask for budget specifics.

The executive leadership of the PICR will review the applications received and then select projects to proceed to Step 2. The project team would be asked to provide robust proposal details related to the project proposed work, timelines, and budget. If insufficient details and plans are not provided, then the team would be asked to re-compete in future cycles for this mechanism (starting again at Step 1).

Any project not selected for Step 1 or 2 will be directed to the other pilot grant mechanisms of the PICR and to individual scientific program solicitations (as available by CIS, TSD and DDMS).

In addition, Teams awarded at Step 2 may have the opportunity to submit for a renewal at the end of the first award period.

Various NIH multi-PI grant mechanisms have their own requirements and texture and while the PICR wishes to generate more funded proposals in the categories described above, PICR’s priority is to generate P01 grant submissions such as PAR-23-059 (or equivalent). The relevant information and considerations for submitting a plan for a P01 type grant include the following:

P01 grants support broadly based, multidisciplinary, often long-term research programs with a specific major objective. The P01 contains multiple components and projects packaged in one application, consisting of: Research projects (a minimum of 3) that share a central theme, focus, and/or overall objective, An Administrative Core, Research Support Cores (as needed). Administrative support prior to an actual P01 submission will be provided by the PICR administration.
While each project can stand on its own scientific merit, projects must complement or integrate with one another. These projects are the building blocks of a highly integrated grant and support a common theme or scientific objective rather than the individual components.
In addition, P01s have the following features: Involve organized efforts of relatively large groups, whose members conduct research projects designed to: elucidate various aspects or components of the objective and advance the field; Directed toward a range of problems having a central focus (in contrast to the narrow plan of a traditional R01); Usually have an established investigator (Project Leader) to lead each research project. Also, have individual projects that are clearly interrelated and synergistic (inform the other) so that the research ideas, efforts, and outcomes of the program will collectively offer a distinct advantage over pursuing individual projects separately.

All areas of cancer research relevant to the mission of the National Cancer Institute (NCI) are appropriate for projects submitted to this opportunity announcement.

CLICK HERE to submit your electronic application by 5 pm on the cycle due date. No exceptions. The electronic submission system will not allow applications beyond the deadline. Once here you can enter your Purdue e-mail and password.

Qualifications/Restrictions

The PI applicant requesting funds to conduct the proposed work must be a current and full member of the PICR. Co-investigators from other institutions and NCI-designated cancer centers may be included as collaborators or even as the leader of one of the three (or more) projects but funds will not be distributed directly to other institutions. PICR members can only serve as the lead PI on one application. No exceptions.

Cost share

This announcement does not require cost sharing.

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards

The number of awards is contingent upon PICR endowments, gifts and other funds, and the submission of meritorious applications. Leadership intends to fund up to three teams.

Award Budget

The proposal will be funded at a level appropriate for the proposed work but will not exceed $100,000. Funding may be renewable at the end of the first funding period.

Award Project Period

Work should commence within less than two (2) months of the date of award. A project period of twelve (12) months or less is suggested. Spending will be monitored. If the regulatory process exceeds three (3) months, the award may be terminated. Funding may be renewable at the end of the first funding period.

Award Restrictions

The budget cannot be used for PI salary support, clerical staff support, equipment or travel.

Award Requirements

Acceptance of an award will indicate your willingness to serve on the PICR’s Pilot Grants Review Committee and to possibly represent the PICR at the annual Indiana Elks Convention or other philanthropic events. The awardee MUST acknowledge the PICR. Suggested publication acknowledgement:

“The authors gratefully acknowledge the <insert shared resource name/funding mechanism> and support from the Purdue University Institute for Cancer Research, P30CA023168”

No Cost Extension (NCE)

No cost extensions are highly discouraged and will only be granted in rare cases and on a case-by-case basis. Requests must be made to the administration of the PICR in writing and well in advance of the project completion date. The PICR is very interested in making sure the project is advancing and achieving funding and scholarly production for its NCI renewal.

Regulatory

Please note the award is contingent upon obtaining all of the necessary regulatory approvals (e.g., IRB, IACUC, PACUC) or a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) pertaining to the work that has pending approvals.

Reporting

A short project report at the end of the first funding cycle is required for all teams regardless of whether or not they wish to request a renewal. Responding to periodic requests for progress updates throughout the project period may be requested to update donors and development, and inform Purdue senior leadership. Triage of future applications may occur if reporting requests are ignored.

Proposal Guidelines

Proposal Length: The proposal should be single-spaced and a maximum of three pages in length (Arial, 11pt) with no less than 0.5 inch margins.
Required Proposal Structure: please see above
For the electronic submission, the items to upload should include (all combined into 1 file):
Max 3-page proposal
Cited literature (not included in page limit (NIPL))
NIH Biosketch for proposed participants (NIPL)
Current and Pending Funding (NIPL)

Review Criteria

The primary review criteria is similar to NIH review criteria:
Significance
Innovation
Cancer Relevance
Integration of Collaborative Science (How the P01 Project will be integrated to enable sharing of data and results across projects for greater productivity and scientific progress)
Potential to Attract Peer-Review Funding and Peer-Review Publications
Productivity from previous internal awards will be assessed and weighted appropriately.
Reviewers could consist of senior/program leaders, members, or external experts.

ANNOUNCEMENT HISTORY AND UPDATES

Funding Opportunity Number	Summary of Change
PICR-MPI-FY2024-01	Initiation of Announcement