Applications due Feb. 14
This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.
Vanderbilt (VU and VUMC, collaboratively) may choose one nominee for the V Foundation 2022 Adult Translational Cancer Research (Early Detection of Cancer) Grants Program. The grant provides $600,000 in three annual installments of $200,000. Indirect costs up to a maximum of 10 percent within the total award are permitted.
The V Foundation seeks to support translational research projects within the scope of adult cancer research, specifically in the focus area of early detection of cancer. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many routine cancer screenings were missed, especially routine screenings for breast, cervical, colorectal, prostate and lung cancer. These failed screenings resulted in much later detection of these and other cancers, increasing the death rate. Researchers estimate that 25 percent fewer cancers were detected due to these missed screenings. Better early detection methods are needed for all cancer types. Some examples of early detection research areas include better liquid biopsy detection methods, better imaging techniques, better at-home assays and identification of better early warning cancer signs. They welcome new areas of research and innovative ideas in the early detection area outside of those listed here. Even after the pandemic recedes, there are likely to be persistent health disparities related to screening failures associated with socioeconomic factors.
They encourage cross-disciplinary research, including expertise from other disciplines (for example: bioinformatics, computational scientists or engineers) as applicable to the research. Translational projects should move a novel strategy from the bench to clinical application. The research should apply in some direct way to human beings within the time frame of less than three years. If biomarker research is undertaken, a validation set or independent clinical trial is essential. A plan for biomarker validation, if applicable, must be included in any proposal.
Special focus area: This request for applications is specifically for adult cancer research in the focus area of early detection. While not required, proposals on the biological basis of disparities are encouraged and must still fall within the focus area of early detection of cancer. Research on the biological basis of cancer disparities experienced by patients from minority ethnic or racial populations in areas related to causes, aggressiveness, detection, treatment or relapse may be eligible for special funding through the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund. Cancers in which ethnic and racial disparities have previously been demonstrated include: lung and bronchus, colon and rectum, breast, prostate, uterine, cervix, stomach and liver.
Applicant eligibility
By March 24, 2022, applicants who will lead this research team must have all of the following:
- Be scientists who hold a tenure-track faculty position (any level) at their cancer research institution. Non-promotable adjunct, affiliated, temporary, part-time or acting faculty positions are NOT eligible for principal investigator nomination to lead the translational research team.
Internal selection process
Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s nominee for this opportunity must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 14, 2022. Late applications will not be considered.
- Brief (2-page maximum) research plan including summary budget;
- Statement of support from department chair/center director;
- NIH Biosketch or 5-page CV.
Submissions should reference “2022 V Translational Research Award- Adult Cancer Research” in the subject line of the email.
A short nomination form for Vanderbilt’s selected candidate will be submitted to the V Foundation by Feb. 28, 2022. The candidate will then receive an invitation to submit a full application to the sponsor by March 24, 2022.
Email LSO@vanderbilt.edu with any questions about the program, foundation or internal review process.