Applications due July 11
These instructions are for VU investigators. VUMC investigators should visit the OOR funding opportunity site.
Vanderbilt University may submit up to 2 nominees for the Susan G. Komen Career Catalyst Research grant opportunity. This grant mechanism aims to foster promising breast cancer researchers who are in the early stages of their faculty careers by providing support for up to three years of “protected time” for research career development under the guidance of a Mentor Committee.
Overview
Career Catalyst Research grants provide up to $150,000 per year (combined direct and indirect costs) for up to three years ($450,000 total).
Applicants must be Early Career Investigators that currently hold a faculty appointment or have a formal offer letter from the Institution that confirms position and start date by the Application due date (October 9, 2024) and have not held any faculty appointment, including non-tenure and tenure track appointments combined, for more than a total of 6 years by the Application due date (October 9, 2024).
The foundation specifically encourages applications from PIs who identify as someone from groups shown to be historically minoritized and marginalized in biomedical research from National Science Foundation data, including Blacks or African Americans, Hispanics or Latinos, American Indians or Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders, and individuals with disabilities, as well as individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds according to the criteria used by the NIH.
The foundation is especially interested in hypothesis-driven studies that target breast cancer, in the development of strategies for earlier diagnosis, reduce risk of breast cancer, or increase the effectiveness of current therapies to lead to longer and better-quality outcomes for patients. Research projects must be hypothesis-driven, breast cancer-focused studies. They may be considered basic, translational, clinical and/or population science in nature and should align with Komen’s research priorities and/or mission to save lives from breast cancer. Komen encourages applications focused on their strategic imperatives including metastatic breast cancer, precision medicine, and disparities.
Eligibility Criteria
- Must have a doctoral degree, such as M.D., Ph.D., Dr.P.H., D.O., or equivalent.
- Must currently hold a full-time faculty appointment or have a formal offer letter from the Institution that confirms position and start date by the Application due date (October 9, 2024), documented by the Applicant/PI Biosketch and Letter of Institutional Support.
- Must not have held any faculty appointment, including non-tenure and tenure track appointments combined, for more than a total of 6 years by the Application due date (October 9, 2024), documented by the Applicant/PI Biosketch and Letter of Institutional Support. All positions that are considered as “Faculty” positions by the Applicant/PI’s institution (or prior institution) count towards the 6-year limit. This may include positions such as Instructor, Research Fellow, or other non-tenure track faculty positions as appropriate. All faculty positions and terms must be verified by the Letter of Institutional Support which must also include information regarding a pathway to independence if the applicant is not already leading their own research lab.
- Must not simultaneously hold any other Grant awarded by Susan G. Komen.
- Must not currently be or have been a Principal Investigator on an existing NIH R01 grant or their equivalent as of the date of Award Notification (on or around April 15, 2025).
- Must conduct the proposed research and training at the Lead Mentor’s U.S. based institution.
- Must have adequate space and facilities to conduct the proposed research and must be able to devote at least 75% of full-time effort to breast cancer research and activities, i.e., protected research time.
- Must ensure that all past and current Komen-funded Grants are up to date and in compliance with all Komen requirements; e.g., progress report submissions, IRB (Institutional Review Boards) approvals, etc. by the Application due date (October 9, 2024), if applicable.
- Is not required to be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
See the program announcement and funding opportunities website for more information.
Internal Application Process
Interested faculty should click here to submit an application for the internal LSO competition and to find additional information about the opportunity. The deadline for the internal competition is July 11, 2024.
Any questions about this opportunity or the LSO process may be directed to VU-LSO@vanderbilt.edu.
