Award structure & eligibility
The center has three distinct granting mechanisms to:
- Support new pilot research projects
- Amplify ongoing research so that we can maximize the impact of successful projects
- Support correlative studies for investigator-initiated clinical trials
The funding mechanisms emphasize innovation, impact and rigor.
Three different award mechanisms are offered, with eligibility based on stipulated membership criteria.
Note: Eligibility requires membership in the MPCC.
Amplification awards
Up to $100,000 to full members to augment existing R-level (or equivalent) NIH grants. The goal of these awards is to bridge funding shortfalls or compensate NIH budget cuts to otherwise vetted, highly successful projects so that investigators can maintain momentum towards eventual cures. Awards will be for 1 year.
Clinical correlative awards
Up to $10,000 to full or associate members to support correlative biology studies for clinical trials, as well as other clinically relevant questions including quality improvement and chart review studies. Requests for larger budgets must be justified and approved at the time of the letter of intent. The goal is to encourage incorporation of basic and translational questions into investigator-initiated clinical trials. Awards will be dispersed over 2 years.
Pilot awards
Up to $100,000 to full members and associate members to support new basic research related to pediatric cancer, with priority given to projects with clear pathways to new therapies or new diagnostic tools. The project must have a clear application to pediatric cancer. Awards will be dispersed over 2 years.
Funds may be used to support project costs (including up to 20% for technician or staff salary/fringe), but they may not be used to support principal investigator effort.
Application & review process
Investigators are asked to provide one-page letter of intent. Please specify the award mechanism that the application will target. The letter of intent should include brief descriptions addressing the scientific rationale for the project, innovation, impact and approach. The letter of intent should specify the requested total costs, but a complete budget will not be necessary at this stage. Letters of intent will be reviewed by the MPCC advisory committee. Priority will be given to applications that demonstrate exceptional levels of innovation and pathways to novel therapies and/or approaches to treatment.
Applicants will then be invited to submit full applications, accompanied by a proposal budget. The full applications will be reviewed by a panel of internal and external reviewers.
Timeline
| Letter of intent deadline | December 15, 2024 |
| Invitations for full applications | late January 2025 |
| Full application deadline | April 1, 2025 |
| Funding start date | July 1, 2025 |