Developmental Research Program

PROJECT SUMMARY The University of Wisconsin Prostate Cancer SPORE Developmental Research Program (DRP) supports early- phase projects that have the potential to open new areas of translational research opportunity, and lead to reduced morbidity and mortality in patients with prostate cancer. Developmental projects include research focused on basic science discoveries, prevention, early detection, treatment, development of prognostic and predictive biomarkers, as well as survivorship. The DRP provides pilot funding to support innovative and high- impact research in prostate cancer and will solicit, advise, review, select, and monitor DRP projects to ensure that DRP resources are effectively used. The Specific Aims for the Developmental Research Program are to: 1. Stimulate creation of multi-disciplinary teams to conduct impactful research studies in prostate cancer that include basic, clinical, and population researchers, as well as collaboration with outside SPORE institutions and investigators. 2. Provide 1-2 years of funding to support investigator-initiated research that may lead to subsequent grants, clinical trials, or insight on project feasibility, as well as become a future SPORE project. 3. Support high-risk, high-reward ideas that may be too early for traditional grant mechanisms but deemed innovative and important to explore. 4. Monitor progress of funded DRP projects and recommend which projects should be advanced to a full SPORE project.