Developmental Research Program

DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAM (DRP): ABSTRACT The Developmental Research Program (DRP) is an essential component of the Prostate SPORE, providing yearly funding to 4-6 projects that are peer reviewed and deemed to have promising translational potential. Funding is flexible, supporting projects for a period of two years or less. It is expected that DRP investigators will develop and advance their pilots sufficiently to either replace main projects that are not progressing or will secure independent funding in prostate cancer research. Of note, all three projects presented in the renewal have emanated from pilot projects and propose translating discoveries made in the investigators’ labs to the clinic. The DRP follows a highly structured process to solicit projects from investigators who are interested in developing projects in the area of prostate cancer, to review projects according to NIH review criteria and to monitor projects for scientific progress. The DRP is maintained throughout the entire period of SPORE funding.