SToP Cancer SPORE: Developmental Research Program

DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAM: ABSTRACT The Developmental Research Program (DRP) is critical to the UNC SToP Cancer SPORE mission to advance basic understanding of pancreatic cancer development and progression, and to develop new therapeutic approaches. The overarching goal of the SPORE DRP is to identify and provide research support for innovative projects that provide key insight into critical areas of pancreatic cancer research. Funded DRP projects should provide compelling evidence of potential to develop into full projects within the SPORE and/or to be funded by peer-reviewed federal (NIH/NCI, DOD) or foundation resources. Each year with institutional support, the DRP intends to fund up to three projects of approximately $100,000, with a second year of funding dependent on progress in the first year. Budget flexibility will be built in if the senior leadership determines that a project is particularly promising. RFAs for the UNC SToP Cancer SPORE developmental projects will be offered once a year, with proposals solicited from UNC, and our sister institutions which include NC State University and NC Central University. The DRP Review Committee will review applications focused on pancreatic cancer basic research (such as cancer cell signaling, cell biology, and genetics); translational research (biomedical engineering, cancer imaging, cancer immunology/immunotherapy, and therapeutic approaches); and population research, including cancer prevention and control.