The FY21 MRP Translational Research Award (TRA) supports hypothesis-driven, translational, high-impact research. The TRA mechanism encourages applications with mature research projects that specifically focus on critical scientific or clinical melanoma issues, which, if successfully addressed, have the potential to make a major impact. Important factors under consideration will be continuity of research, clinical applicability, and leveraging of clinical samples from clinical trials and/or biorepositories. The TRA supports identifying scientific outcomes, through rigorous, robust research, that are translatable toward treatment and/or preventive strategies. Proposed research should be mature and well developed. Research proposed should aim to accelerate promising findings toward clinical applicability and leverage research results to maximize impact. The TRA is not intended to study research into clinical utility of PD-1 in combination with other therapeutics, or studies utilizing established cell lines.
Deadlines:
• Required Pre-Application Deadline: Aug. 4, 2021
• Application Submission Deadline: Aug. 26, 2021
To be considered for funding, applications for the FY21 MRP Idea Award must address at least one of the following FY21 MRP Focus Areas.
- Identify methods to decrease risk of melanoma development beyond sunscreen and protective clothing.
- Identify and understand risk factor determinants for melanoma, including variants (e.g., uveal, acral, mucosal melanoma).
- Identify how the tumor microenvironment (e.g., stromal, immune, microbiome) impact tumor initiation, response to therapy, progression, and dormancy.
- Understand how precursor lesions and endogenous host factors may lead to melanomagenesis.
- Develop new decision-making tools for the detection and diagnosis of melanoma that includes easily accessible technology (beyond the dermoscope) for primary care physicians and dermatologists.
- Develop prediction and surveillance tools for distinguishing patient at risk for recurrence and/or metastasis. Identify biological determinants to differentiate patient populations.
- Understand mechanisms that underlie metastatic spread to different (regional/nodal) sites or the different distant sites of metastasis from acral, mucosal, and uveal melanomas.
- Delineate the molecular pathways, tumor microenvironment, immune response that influence metastatic spread, recurrence, and/or dormancy.
To be named as the PI on the application, the investigator must be at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent).
Collaborator Option: The Initiating and Partnering PI must be at or above the level of Assistant Professor or equivalent. Inclusion of a military or VA investigator is encouraged.
The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY21 MRP TRA will not exceed $600,000. The anticipated direct costs budgeted for the entire period of performance for an FY21 MRP TRA – Collaborator Option will not exceed $700,000. Refer to Section II.D.5, Funding Restrictions, for detailed funding information.