The development of the specialty of palliative medicine is a critical step in addressing the unmet needs of patients with serious illness and their families.
Pilot data are typically needed before funding agencies (e.g., NIH, VA, or the American Cancer Society) will consider funding a research project. In an effort to support clinician investigators conducting patient-oriented research in palliative care, the American Cancer Society (ACS), in parallel with the National Palliative Care Research Center (NPCRC), is soliciting applications for pilot/exploratory research grants in palliative care for cancer patients and their families. These grants will generate the pilot data necessary to maximize an investigator's chances of successfully competing for larger grants.