VICC MULTI-TIER DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENT

The mission of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (VICC) is to alleviate cancer death and suffering through pioneering research; innovative patient-centered care; and evidence-based prevention, education, and community initiatives, all with a continued focus on inclusive excellence. VICC aims to further this mission through the support, conduct and enhancement of state-of-the-art, multidisciplinary basic, clinical and population-based research. To further this aim, VICC supports Multi-Tier Developmental Funding, a rolling pilot funding opportunity focused on supporting novel, innovative cancer-relevant projects.

This funding aims to support VICC members conducting high-risk, innovative, impactful research to support the generation of preliminary data required for the submission of external, cancer-relevant grant applications (e.g., NIH R, U, or P type; DOD). The purpose of this funding mechanism is to provide VICC members the option to apply for the level of funding needed to support their project.

Three funding tiers are available to qualified VICC members from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Meharry Medical College and Tennessee State University. Rolling grants will be awarded for projects lasting a maximum of one-year, with the possibility of renewal for a second year based on measurable progress of impact.

Three Tiers of Support are Available to VICC Members:

• TIER 1 – Requests < $3,000
• TIER 2 – Requests between $3,000 and $10,000
• TIER 3 – Requests > $10,000

 

Investigators may be awarded annually up to two Tier 1 or Tier 2 awards or one Tier 3 award. Applications will be assessed monthly by peer review, based on scientific merit.. Applicants will be asked to briefly explain the anticipated return on investment (expected outcomes) resulting from the proposed project This may include, but is not limited to, extramural grant funding; clinical trials; improved patient outcomes; etc.

A major criterion for Tier 3 funding will be the perceived probability that the research project will lead to the submission of a major competitive research grant application to the NCI or similar major source of extramural cancer funding. Only the most innovative and impactful Tier 3 applications will be competitive. The purpose of this program is not to serve as the sole source of funding for small projects, but rather to catalyze the generation of relevant preliminary data leading to a larger study/grant.

Application Requirements, Evaluation and Progress Report Schedule for Multi-Tier Funding Levels

TIER 1

• Project summary (< 250 words); summary should include premise, aim, brief approach statement, and expected outcomes
• Statement of cancer relevance (< 100 words)
• NIH Biosketch
• Proposed budget summary and justification (< 200 words); if applicable, include relationship to existing grants
  • Please note: PI effort is not required
• List of trainees, if applicable
• List of Shared Resources utilized, if applicable
• Applications will be evaluated monthly by selected VICC Senior Leadership
• Default timeline for Tier 1 awards is three months, longer upon request
• Post-award three-month Progress Report, then annually as requested

 

TIER 2

• Project summary (< 1,000 words); summary should include: background, premise, aims, approaches, expected outcomes and statement of significance. Up to 10 references may be included.
• Statement of cancer relevance (< 100 words)
• NIH Biosketch
• Proposed budget summary and justification (< 300 words); if applicable, include any overlap the proposed project has to existing grant support and how this additional funding will expand/supplement upon your current grant support.
  • Please note: PI effort is not required
• List of trainees, if applicable
• List of Shared Resources utilized, if applicable
• Applications will be evaluated monthly by selected VICC Senior Leadership
• Default timeline for Tier 2 awards is six months; longer upon request
• Post-award three-month Progress Report, then annually as requested

 

TIER 3

• Pre-application: Project summary (< 1,000 words); summary should include: background, premise and rationale, aims, approaches, expected outcomes, and statement of significance. Up to 10 references may be included
• Statement of cancer relevance (< 100 words)
• NIH Biosketch
• Proposed budget summary and justification (no character limit); if applicable, include any overlap the proposed project has to existing grant support and how this additional funding will expand/supplement upon your current grant support.
  • Please note: PI effort is not required
• List of trainees, if applicable
• List of Shared Resources utilized, if applicable
• Applications will be evaluated monthly by selected VICC Senior Leadership
• Post-award three-month Progress Report, then annually as requested

 

To submit your application, please complete the REDCap survey through the link below. https://redcap.vanderbilt.edu/surveys/?s=NKT8HTMN73

Please note: All funds awarded must adhere to National Institutes of Health (NIH) and federal grants policies, cost principles and regulations. These funds may not be used to purchase capital equipment (over $5,000)..

For additional information or questions, please contact Lindsay Jensen, Program Manager for VICC Research Administration, at lindsay.jensen@vumc.org.