Applications due Feb. 20, 2025
Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC): This is a joint competition for VU and VUMC investigators. All investigators should follow these instructions.
Vanderbilt (VU + VUMC, collaboratively) may choose up to two nominees (one traditional translational nominee and one All-Star nominee) for the V Foundation 2025 Adult Translational Cancer Research Grants Program.
Overview
The V Foundation invites applications for adult cancer research that moves a novel strategy from the laboratory into a human clinical trial or uses specimens from a clinical trial to develop biomarkers or mechanisms. The research should apply in some direct way to human beings within the time frame of less than 3 years from the end of the grant. 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. The endpoint of the project should be the planning or initiation of a new clinical trial.
This RFA is specifically for adult cancer research that falls into preclinical/translational research as described above. The foundation also encourages research on the biological basis of cancer disparities experienced by patients from minority ethnic or racial populations. Research on cancer disparities will be eligible for funding through the Stuart Scott Memorial Cancer Research Fund.
NOTE: A biostatistical or bioinformatics plan is required for all proposals. Proposals without this element will not be considered for funding.
Translational Grant
- Provides $800,000 in four annual installments of $200,000. Indirect costs up to a maximum of 10% within the total award are permitted.
- Supports “bench to bedside” research, whose endpoint is often planning or initiation of a clinical trial
- Research should apply in some direct way to human beings within 3 years from the end of the grant
- By nomination due date, applicants must hold a full-time faculty appointment at the Assistant Professor or Assistant Professor-equivalent level or above. Non-promotable adjunct, affiliated, temporary, part-time or acting faculty positions are not eligible for Principal Investigator nomination.
All-Star Grant
- Provides $1,000,000 over 5 years ($200,000 per year).
- Applicants must previously have received a V Foundation research grant (V scholar, Translational) to be eligible
- V Foundation project must be completed or in the final year
- Must be in good standing with the V Foundation
- The new project proposal does NOT need to be linked to the previously funded V Foundation project
- The prior grant type does NOT impact the type of RFA an All-Star applicant can apply for
- The prior V Foundation grant does NOT need to be at the same institution where the nominee is now
Eligibility
By nomination due date, applicants must hold a full-time faculty appointment at the assistant professor or assistant professor-equivalent level or above. Non-promotable adjunct, affiliated, temporary, part-time or acting faculty positions are not eligible for Principal Investigator nomination.
Internal Selection Process
Anyone interested in being considered as Vanderbilt’s nominee this opportunity must submit the following (in PDF format) to LSO@vanderbilt.edu by 11:59 p.m. on Feb. 20, 2025. Late applications will not be considered.
- Brief (two page maximum) research plan including summary budget;
- Statement of support from department chair/center director;
- Please include an overview of resources available to you (research and office space, teaching release, mental health support, etc); If the nature of the research is basic and/or translational science, how will science communication with diverse audiences be incorporated into your training? If the nature of the research is translational and/or clinical (bench to bedside with patient contact), describe how patient advocacy/communication will be incorporated into your training.
- NIH Biosketch or 5-page CV
Submissions should reference “2025 V Adult Translational Cancer Research Award” in the subject line of the email.
A short nomination form for Vanderbilt’s selected candidate will be submitted to the V Foundation in March. The candidate will then receive an invitation to submit a full application to the sponsor.
Email LSO@vanderbilt.edu with any questions about the program, foundation, or internal review process.
