Full Application and Review Criteria
Background | Overview | Letter of Intent | Full Application and Review Criteria | Critical Path
The Deadline is February 11 , 2010 (Noon PST) and applications must be submitted online through proposalCENTRAL https://proposalcentral.altum.com/
Goals of the Translational Research Award:
CBCRP’s aim is to support research that represents a “translational
bridge” to more effective products, technologies, interventions, or policies;
and their application/delivery to Californians. The CBCRP is soliciting research
projects that present: (1) a topic of high relevance to breast cancer, (2)
a defined end point for practical application, (3) a topic where there is an
unusual opportunity for advancement, (4) a well-defined strategy for overcoming
barriers to practical application, and (5) innovative resources or collaborations
to advance the research.
Specifically, this award is designed to support new and ongoing research projects that are able to:
- Clearly describe the “translational bridge” elements– (1) the research discovery to be translated, (2) how the discovery will be applied, (3) the end point targeted, and (4) potential individual or population-level impact.
- Define key steps or milestones on a critical pathway from the present level of research knowledge to the practical application.
- Build on progress already made by the research team to advance the translation process.
- Identify discrete barriers to this progress and detailed strategies to overcome them.
- Employ a unique perspective and innovative research methods.
- Include plans for evaluating the process and outcome of the translational effort.
- Optional: include collaborations that allow diverse disciplines to contribute to the translational effort.
Critical Path:
This portion of the application will be a key element for both the peer and
programmatic reviews. The PI should place the proposed project on a “critical
path” leading from basic concept to a measurable impact on
the prevention, detection, diagnosis and treatment, reduction in community
and social burden, or improved patient quality of life for breast cancer.
A complete presentation would include: (1) the original concept and “proof
of principle” background related to breast cancer, (2) the PI’s
accomplishments in the research topic that brings it closer to translation,
(3) the specific barriers to translation and the PI’s
strategy to overcome them, (4) an endpoint of practical value that
the research would enable (e.g., in the clinic or community), and (5) a “vision” for
future implementation that extends the expected endpoints and describes
the potential impact at the patient, community, or policy
levels.
The applicant should distinguish the proposed "translational project" from non-responsive research that aims to: (1) focus on exploratory/discovery endpoints, (2) develop new hypotheses, or (3) accumulate additional or “incremental” knowledge in a given topic.
Award Details:
- 3-years maximum duration
- Award amounts of greater than $750,000 total direct costs will be considered only in exceptional circumstances
- PI minimum effort is 10% FTE
- Indirect (F&A) costs are allowed only for non-UC institutions
Peer Review (scientific merit) Evaluation Criteria:
Translational Research Award applications are peer reviewed and rated independently
on four separate criteria.
- Translational Potential. The extent to which the project, if successfully carried out, would represent a “translational bridge” to bring the product/intervention/service to bear on the prevention, detection, diagnosis, or treatment of breast cancer, improved quality of life for survivors, and/or reduction in the community and social burden caused by this disease in California. Is the project focused on the use of human subjects?
- Critical Path & Research Barriers. The extent to which the applicant has delineated a research continuum for the project (i.e., background, preliminary work, development, and translational endpoints) and has a strategy for overcoming barriers to achieve the translational endpoints.
- Approach. The extent to which the conceptual framework, design, methods, analyses and collaborations are innovative, well integrated, and appropriate to the stated aims of the project.
- Feasibility. The extent to which the investigator(s) can achieve the stated milestones, practical applications, or endpoints. Do the research team and collaborators have all the necessary expertise, skills, and resources to carry out the project?
Required application forms (these can be downloaded from either proposalCENTRAL or CBCRP’s Web site after September 3, 2009):
- Lay and Scientific Abstracts
- Program Responsiveness
- Critical Path + Additional Criteria (needs of underserved and advocacy involvement)
- Distinction from Other Funding
- Budget Summary
- Budget Justification and Resources
- Key Personnel and Biosketches
- Research Plan (12-pg + 3 pages references
- Milestones
- Animal & Human Subjects
- Appendix (supplemental letters of collaboration, supporting data, etc.)
