Developmental Research Program

DRP_DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAM: ABSTRACT The goal of the Developmental Research Program (DRP) is to take maximum advantage of the new research opportunities afforded by this SPORE and advance innovative translational research projects that improve outcomes for patients with lymphoid cancers. The DRP will support 3-4 collaborative, multidisciplinary, translational DRP awards each year that propose highly promising, innovative translational and/or clinical research approaches for addressing poor outcomes in patients with lymphoma. The DRP will solicit pilot projects that focus on improving the prevention, early detection, diagnosis, and treatment of lymphoma, particularly in populations at greatest need. A particular focus of the DRP will be to encourage proposals that provide opportunities to investigate strategies for early detection and prevention of lymphoma, since no approaches currently exist in practice. The DRP’s peer review process involves participation from SPORE leaders, the Internal and External Advisory Boards, and the Community Advisory Board, to ensure merit-based selection of projects. Each project will be supported through mentorship and regular progress reviews. DRP awardees will have access to SPORE resources, including collaboration with all Projects and Cores, ensuring integration with the broader research goals. DRP awards are expected to utilize support from one or more of the SPORE Core Facilities, which are crucial to provide the specialized, non-overlapping infrastructure necessary for the successful execution of these lines of research. DRP awardees will participate in scientific meetings and conferences, providing opportunities for collaboration and knowledge dissemination. The DRP aims to foster new collaborations between scientists within the current SPORE, with the larger community of those studying health outcomes in hematological malignancies, and with blood cancer SPOREs in the NCI’s current portfolio. DRP awards are anticipated to form a research base for future SPORE projects, and the DRP will oversee promotion of promising DRP projects to full Project status if any of the current Projects lose their translational focus, or if scientific priorities are modified during the research period.