Award mechanism encourages applications with mature research projects that specifically focus on critical scientific or clinical cancer issues, which, if successfully addressed, have the potential to make a major impact on at least one of the FY20 PRCRP Topic Areas. Important factors under consideration will be continuity of research, clinical applicability, and leveraging of clinical samples and trials. Through the Impact Award, the PRCRP seeks to build foundations in under-funded, under-studied, and/or lethal militarily relevant cancer or research areas. The Impact Award supports identifying scientific outcomes through rigorous, robust research that are translatable toward treatment and/or preventive strategies. Research proposed should aim to accelerate promising findings toward clinical applicability and leverage research results to maximize impact.
The critical components of this award mechanism are:
· Impact: The Impact Award is intended to support research that demonstrates the potential to have a major impact in the near term on an area of paramount importance in cancer. The proposed study should demonstrate how the research will transform cancer research toward improved patient outcomes in at least one of the FY20 PRCRP Topic Areas. The research should make a significant shift toward clinical applicability in at least one of the FY20 PRCRP Topic Areas. Proposed projects may include translational or clinical research, including clinical trials. The potential impact of the proposed research is expected to be near-term and it must be significant and go beyond an incremental advance. The applicant must articulate the potential impact the proposed work will have on cancer research and/or patient outcomes. The Impact Award is not intended for basic research. Applicants posing more basic or long term impact studies should apply to the FY20 PRCRP Idea Award (W81XWH-20-PRCRP-IA).
· Preliminary Data: The Impact Award is intended to support transformative investigations that leapfrog the cancer research field forward by utilizing previous research findings. Applications must include preliminary data to support feasibility of the study. Any unpublished, preliminary data provided should originate from the laboratory of the Principal Investigator (PI) or a member(s) of the research team.
· Continuity of Research: The Impact Award is intended to support established projects that have moved beyond the realm of basic research and have the potential to result in a near-term impact in clinical research or the clinic.
· Military Relevance: The proposed research must address at least one of the FY20 PRCRP Military Health Focus Areas. The proposed research must be relevant to active duty Service members, Veterans, military beneficiaries, and/or the American public. For more information, review the following websites:
• PRCRP Vision Video (https://cdmrp.army.mil/pubs/video/prc/prcrp_vision_video)
• PRCRP (https://cdmrp.army.mil/prcrp/default)
• PRCRP Report to Congress (https://cdmrp.army.mil/prcrp/reports/reports)
• Military Health System (MHS) (https://www.health.mil)
• VA (https://www.va.gov/)
A Congressionally mandated Metastatic Cancer Task Force was formed with the purpose of identifying ways to help accelerate clinical and translational research aimed at extending the lives of advanced state and recurrent patients. As a member of the Metastatic Cancer Task Force, CDMRP encourages applicants to review the recommendations (https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Congressional-Testimonies/2018/05/03/Metastatic-Cancer-Research) and submit research ideas to address these recommendations provided they are within this funding opportunity and fit within the FY20 PRCRP priorities.