The FY25 BCRP Era of Hope Scholar Award supports individuals early in their careers who have demonstrated significant potential to effect meaningful change in breast cancer. These individuals should be exceptionally talented scientists who have shown that they are the “best and brightest” in their field(s) through extraordinary creativity, vision, innovation, and productivity. They should have demonstrated experience in forming effective partnerships and collaborations and must exhibit strong potential for future leadership in breast cancer research.
As the intent of the FY25 BCRP Era of Hope Scholar Award is to recognize creative and innovative individuals rather than projects, the central features of the award are the demonstrated ability of the individual named as the PI in the application (1) to go beyond conventional thinking in their field and (2) to make innovative and meaningful contributions toward ending breast cancer. The PI’s vision should challenge current dogma and demonstrate an ability to look beyond tradition and convention.
Deadlines:
• Required Pre-Application Deadline: June 13, 2025
• Application Submission Deadline: June 27, 2025
Considering the current breast cancer landscape and the program’s mission, the BCRP seeks to invest in research that addresses the following overarching challenges:
• Prevent breast cancer (primary prevention)
• Identify determinants of breast cancer initiation, risk, or susceptibility
• Distinguish deadly from non-deadly breast cancers
• Conquer the problems of overdiagnosis and overtreatment
• Identify what drives breast cancer growth; determine how to stop it
• Identify why some breast cancers become metastatic
• Determine why/how breast cancer cells lie dormant for years and then re-emerge; determine how to prevent lethal recurrence
• Revolutionize treatment regimens by replacing them with ones that are more effective, less toxic, and impact survival
• Eliminate the mortality associated with metastatic breast cancer
The PI must be an independent and non-mentored investigator within six years of their last training position as of the application submission deadline (excluding time spent on family medical leave). The PI may articulate lapses in research time or appointments denoted in the biographical sketch within the application. Examples of training positions include postdoctoral fellowship, medical residency, and clinical fellowship. Postdoctoral fellows, clinical fellows (including residents and interns), and other researchers currently in training positions are not eligible.
The PI must commit a minimum of 25% level of time and effort during the period of performance to conduct breast cancer research under this award.
Individuals affiliated with an eligible organization are eligible to be named as PI regardless of ethnicity, nationality, or citizenship status.
The Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) expects to allot approximately $10.85 million (M) to fund two Era of Hope Scholar Award applications with direct cost caps of $3.50M. The maximum period of performance is four years. It is anticipated that the award made from this FY25 funding opportunity will be funded with FY25 funds, which will expire for use on September 30, 2031. An award supported with FY25 funds will be made no later than September 30, 2026.