The FY23 PCRP Translational Science Award mechanism supports advanced translational research that will foster transformation of promising ideas in prostate cancer into clinical applications, ultimately providing a solution to one or more of the FY23 PCRP Overarching Challenges. Translational research may be defined as an integration of basic science and clinical observations. Observations that drive a research idea may originate from a laboratory discovery, population-based studies, or a clinician’s firsthand knowledge of patient care. Principal Investigators (PIs) should not view translational research as a one-way continuum from bench to bedside but can include a reciprocal flow of ideas and information between basic science and clinical science (bench to bedside and/or bedside to bench).
New for FY23! The intent of the Translational Science Award is expanded for FY23 to include support for implementation science studies that will bridge the gap between clinical research and real-world implementation. Even after information, tools, and interventions have been successfully evaluated in their intended populations, the development of knowledge to support their broader dissemination and implementation has often remained outside the scope, limiting the impact on the intended patient population(s). As part of the TSA, implementation science studies are expected to bridge the gap between research, practice, and policy by building a knowledge base on how interventions, clinical practices/guidelines, tools, and policies can be deployed to targeted populations at the appropriate time and point of need. An implementation science study is defined as the scientific study of the use of strategies to adopt and integrate evidence-based health interventions into clinical and community settings in order to improve patient outcomes and benefit population health.
Partnering PI Option: The FY23 PCRP Translational Science Award encourages applications that include meaningful and productive collaborations between investigators. The PIs may have expertise in similar or disparate scientific disciplines, but each PI is expected to bring distinct contributions to the application; collaborations between basic science and clinical researchers are highly encouraged. The Partnering PI Option is structured to accommodate two PIs. One PI will be identified as the Initiating PI and will be responsible for the majority of the administrative tasks associated with application submission. The other PI will be identified as a Partnering PI. Both PIs should contribute significantly to the development of the proposed research project, including the Project Narrative, Statement of Work (SOW), and other required components. If recommended for funding, each PI will be named to an individual award within the recipient organization. For individual submission requirements for the Initiating and Partnering PI, refer to Section II.D.2, Content and Form of the Application Submission.
Deadlines:
• Required Pre-Application Deadline: Aug. 3, 2023
• Application Submission Deadline: Aug. 24, 2023
The Mission of the FY23 PCRP is to fund research that will eliminate death and suffering from prostate cancer and enhance the well-being of Service members, Veterans, and all the men and their families who are experiencing the impact of the disease. Within this context, the PCRP is interested in supporting research that addresses specific gaps in prostate cancer research and clinical care; therefore, applications are required to address one or more of the following FY23 PCRP Overarching Challenges:
• Improve quality of life to enhance outcomes and overall health and wellness for those impacted by prostate cancer
• Develop new treatments or improve upon existing therapies to improve outcomes for men with lethal prostate cancer
• Advance health equity and reduce disparities in prostate cancer
• Define the biology of prostate cancer progression to lethal prostate cancer to reduce death
Each investigator may be named on only one FY23 PCRP Translational Science Award application as a PI, Initiating PI, or Partnering PI. Independent investigators at all levels are eligible to be named as PI, Initiating PI, or Partnering PI on an application for the FY23 PCRP Translational Science Award. An eligible PI, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status, must be employed by or affiliated with an eligible organization.
The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY23 PCRP Translational Science Award should not exceed $900,000. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.