Colorado HNC SPORE Developmental Research Program

SUMMARY, Developmental Research Program The Developmental Research Program (DRP) promotes new and innovative Head and Neck Cancer (HNC) “pilot” projects. The goal is to fund projects with high scientific merit that will greatly impact HNC research and/or have the potential for translation to the clinic and population and thus reduce the burden of HNC. A core priority will be to identify and support junior or mid-career investigators. The DRP will encourage projects with a) high perceived impact, b) translational potential that may be integrated into full projects within the SPORE, c) innovative ideas and approaches that generate new hypothesis and preliminary data that support new R01-type grant applications, d) new collaborations to develop novel research and research tools and/or e) high risk/high return projects that move the HNC field forward for basic science and/or clinical interventions. DRP projects will be funded through the SPORE budget and institutional matching funds. With the approval of the SPORE's External Advisory Board (EAB) and the NCI Translational Research Program (TRP) Director, DRP studies have the opportunity to become full projects as part of the flexibility option as long as they have translational research potential within the SPORE. Solicitations for DRP projects are made within UCCC covered institutions including University of Colorado campuses (Denver, Anschutz Medical Campus, Boulder) and Colorado State University. The SPORE Administrative Core will ensure that DRP resources are used effectively to cultivate our HNC research. An efficient process is in place for successful review, selection, and monitoring of DRP projects. The influx of research from HNC investigators or those with expertise outside of HNC that will develop innovative, high-risk research will catalyze significant advances in the understanding and treatment of HNC.