The Harper Cancer Research Institute is launching a pilot fund program to promote research that addresses cancer health disparities. The goal of the HCRI Research to End Disparities (RED) Program is to generate key data to support an application to National Cancer Institute for basic research in cancer health disparities (links provided below) or an application to the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities.  Applications with a drug discovery/screening component will be co-funded by the Warren Center for Drug Discovery. Applications with a molecular/cellular diagnostics focus will be co-funded by the Institute for Precision Health.

Competitive applications to the RED program will clearly identify the NCI or NIMHD funding mechanism and the expected date of submission.

Application Deadline, Start Date, and End Date:

• Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis

Formatting Requirements:

• Single spaced
• Arial 11 font or larger
• Margins 0.6” or larger

Cover Page:

• Project Title
• Principle Investigator name, department, position/title, email, phone
• Abstract of up to 20 lines of text
• Provide a succinct description of the proposed project. Include the relevance to cancer disparities, the broad objectives and specific aims, and an overview of the research design and methods.
• Note the NCI or NIMHD mechanism and expected date of submission.

Supplemental Data (include on cover page):

• Human subjects:

1. Yes ___ No ___
2. Approval number ______________ Approval pending ________________

• Vertebrate Animals:

1. Yes ____ No ____
2. Approval number ______________ Approval pending ________________

Research Plan (up to 3 pages):

• Significance and Background: relevance to a cancer health disparity-specific research problem
• Research Design: Overview of the conceptual framework, design, methods, analyses, and how the project will develop novel concepts and/or approaches. Emphasize how the application will generate preliminary data for the extramural application. The proposal must specify clearly defined targeted deliverables.

Budget:

• Provide a brief outline of a $20,000 budget
• Funds cannot be used to support staff, trainee or PI salary

Additional Information:

• References (no page limit)
• Biosketch (up to 5 pages)

The NCI has recently released three RFPs of interest. For full application instructions, please see the links below. A summary of the research supported on these mechanisms, excerpted from the NCI program announcement, follows.

An increasing number of studies demonstrate that even when socioeconomic and access to care factors are accounted for, incidence and mortality gaps persist between racial/ethnic populations for some cancer types, which suggests a role for biological contributors. Such studies have included identification of ancestry-related differences in DNA, RNA, and/or protein expression that are associated with cancer risk and/or progression. Other studies have shown the presence of differential tumor microenvironment components among diverse racial/ethnic populations indicating a potential role for immunity and inflammation in contributing to cancer health disparities.

These complex biological factors may enhance understanding of the differences observed in cancer incidence, prevalence, morbidity, and mortality rates among underrepresented populations. The NCI encourages investigations of such biological factors to increase our understanding of the mechanisms that play a role in cancer health disparities.

Research topics of interest include but are not limited to:

• Causal drivers of early onset of certain cancer types in specific populations
• Genetic/epigenetic mechanisms of cancer susceptibility differences among racial/ethnic populations, such as epigenetic drivers and or suppressors
• Understanding how race/ethnicity impacts disease penetrance in individuals who inherit a cancer susceptibility gene
• Understanding if race/ethnicity has a role in regression of precancerous lesions
• Understanding if risk factors, including environmental exposures, differ across race/ethnicity to influence the development of precancerous lesions
• Identifying cancer risk and early detection biomarkers among underrepresented populations
• Examination of how stress impacts the progression of symptoms across different population groups
• Identify underlying mechanisms of symptoms that are responsible for altering treatment regimens that increase the risk of mortality for racial/ethnic minority patients with cancer
• Understand the process through which precision therapies improve symptom management to reduce health disparities
• Similarities and differences in cancer metabolism (e.g. alterations in metabolic fuel sources, fatty acid synthesis, lipid metabolism, glycolysis, nutrient uptake) among racial/ethnic populations
• New 3D cellular models, organoids, xenografts, patient-derived models, and microfluidic systems designed to recapitulate and investigate cancer health disparities
• Epithelial and mesenchymal markers in circulating tumor cells in cancer patients of distinct racial/ethnic groups
• Investigations of how social health disparities may cause adverse gene expression that confers increased cancer risk and/or aggressiveness
• Role of the microbiota in cancer health disparities during tumorigenesis and cancer progression
• Role of the oncogenic pathogens in the development of cancer health disparities during tumorigenesis and cancer progression in different populations groups
• Computational analysis and modeling for predicting aggressive tumors in distinct racial/ethnic populations
• Understanding the biologic mechanisms behind the differences in toxicity and symptoms in different population groups
• Understanding of biological mechanisms of how stress impacts the progression of symptoms in racial/ethnic minority groups
• Deciphering the mechanisms of accumulated exposure to environmental toxins across populations
• Understanding the biological processes through which precision interventions improve symptom management to reduce cancer health disparities
• Biological bases of differences among racial/ethnic populations in responses to cancer immunotherapies and/or development of immune-related adverse events induced by cancer immunotherapies.

Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
(PAR-21-322)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): September 07, 2024

Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
(PAR-21-323)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): September 07, 2024

Basic Research in Cancer Health Disparities (R03 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
(PAR-21-324)
National Cancer Institute
Application Receipt Date(s): September 07, 2024

PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

Across the sciences, the skills required to analyze large data sets, build statistical models, and simulate complex processes are becoming increasingly critical. For example, genomic data sets may consist of millions of sequencing reads from hundreds or thousands of samples. In ecology and earth sciences, researchers are applying new methods for modeling ecological data and assimilating data and models to improve forecasts of ecological and environmental change. In systems biology, scientists are modeling the emergent properties of interacting genes, proteins, cells, and tissues. All of these research areas depend on computational fluency. 

The REACT program (Rapid Exposure to Advanced Computational Training) is a short-term initiative to support graduate students to receive the latest training in computational tools and techniques in their field. REACT is a joint effort between the Environmental Change Initiative (ECI), the Eck Institute for Global Health (EIGH), the Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility (GBCF), the Center for Research Computing (CRC) and the Harper Cancer Institute (HCRI). REACT will provide up to $1,500 to cover student tuition, registration, and board required to attend nationally-recognized workshops that provide the latest training in computational approaches.

Eligibility

• The applicant must be a PhD student or thesis Masters student enrolled at Notre Dame.
• The student's advisor/PI must be a member in good standing with either the Environmental Change Initiative, the Eck Institute for Global Health, Notre Dame’s Genomics and Bioinformatics Core Facility, the Center for Research Computing or the Harper Cancer Institute. Students should check with their advisors if they are not sure of their PI’s affiliations.
• Students attending workshops may be asked to share the knowledge they gain with local working groups, journal clubs, classes, or a symposium of fellow REACT awardees.
• REACT will cover costs for registration and tuition up to $1,500. REACT does not currently cover research expenses.

Application instructions

1. Applications are considered on a rolling basis. All applications should be submitted online. Questions can be directed towards Beth Archie (earchie@nd.edu), Mike Pfrender (pfrender.1@nd.ed), Nydia Morales-Soto (nsoto@nd.edu), Alex hardy (alexhardy@nd.edu), or Andy Bullock (sabullock@nd.edu).
2. Applicants will be required to:

• Create an account with Submittable in order to submit your online application.
• Provide information on the workshop they plan to attend.
• Explain the computational skill(s) they will learn at the workshop and how those skills will help their research.
• Provide information on the costs for workshop registration, tuition, and room and board. REACT provides up to $1,500 to cover these costs, including travel.
• Provide information on their admissions status in regards to the workshop (e.g. the student has not yet applied, the student has applied and the application is pending, or the student has applied and has been admitted to the workshop. If the latter, students will provide evidence of acceptance.)
• Upload a short letter from the student’s sponsoring advisor/PI that states:  

1. That the PI supports the student’s attendance at the workshop
2. That the PI will pay for the student's travel costs
3. Which of the following ND Centers, Initiatives, and Institutes the PI regularly affiliates with: ECI, EIGH, GBCF, CRC, or HCRI.

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION
Application Deadline and Start Date

• Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 31, 2023.

Application Requirements

• Formatting 

1. Single spaced
2. Arial 11 font or larger
3. Margins 0.6" or larger
4. Assemble all sections below into a single PDF for submission
   

• Cover Page (1 page) 

1. Project Title
2. Applicant name, department, position/title, email
3. Primary Mentor name, department, position/title, email
4. Secondary Mentor name, department, position/title, email
5. Supplemental Data (please include on cover page)                          
6. Human subjects:                                       

• Yes__ No__

1. Approval number_____ Approval Pending_____
2. Vertebrate Animals:                                       

• Yes__ No__ 

1. Approval number_____ Approval pending_____ 

• Applicants will:                                           

1. Apply for HCRI membership or are current members            Yes___ No___ 
2. Acknowledge WCF on related publications                            Yes___ No___ 
3. Designated HCRI as an affiliate in Cayuse (ND faculty only) on related external grants  Yes___ No___ 

• Abstract (1 page, up to 30 lines of text) 

1. Provide a succinct overview of the proposed project. Include the relevance to cancer, the broad objectives and specific aims, an overview of the research design and methods, and a brief description of the interdisciplinary training environment.
   

• Research Plan (2 pages) - to be written by the candidate 

1. Include background/rationale and overview of the conceptual framework, experimental design, and data analysis/interpretation strategies. 
2. Include references on a separate page following the research plan (references not included in page limit).
   

• Mentorship and Training Plan (up to 2 pages) - to be written by the primary and secondary mentors 

1. Describe the specific goals of the mentoring experience for this candidate, how they will be achieved, the planned contributions of the primary and secondary mentors, the interdisciplinary nature of the training program, and the benefits of the interdisciplinary approach.
   

• Primary/Secondary Mentor Information (1 page per mentor) 

1. Describe your qualifications as a mentor and your training experience. Include a Trainee Table for the last 5 years that includes trainee name, degree completed and data, and current employment status. Note to new faculty: If no prior training experience, include a narrative describing your training/mentorship approach and philosophy.
   

• Candidate Information (up to 2 pages) - to be written by the candidate 

1. Describe your research background and experience, your goals for this fellowship training, and overall career goals.      
    

• Biographical Sketches 

1. Use NIH format. Provide Biosketches (up to 5 pages) for the applicant, primary mentor, and secondary mentor. Include all current and pending support.
   

•  Demographic: In an effort to be competitive for future federal funding, we are obliged to collect demographic information to report on future grant applications and reports.

1. How many months of full-time researcher experience before starting graduate school?
2. What was your previous institution prior to starting graduate school?
3. What were your GPA and the scale used at your previous institution (ex. 3.7 on a 4.0 scale)?
4. Are you in an underrepresented group as defined by the National Institute of Health (NIH)?
5. What is your current year as a graduate student?
6. Are you a US citizen, a non-citizen national of the U.S., or a permanent resident?

Evaluation Criteria: 

• Overall excellence of the candidate 
• Overall excellence of mentoring team 
• Scientific excellence of the project 
• Excellence of Mentorship and Training Plan 
• Cancer relevance of project 
• History of or strong potential to generate data for publication

PLEASE READ ALL INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE SUBMITTING AN APPLICATION

Application Deadline and Start Date:

• Full Applications are due by 11:59 p.m. EDT on March 31, 2023. 

Application Requirements:

• Formatting

1. Single spaced 
2. Arial 11 font or larger
3. Margins 0.6" or larger
4. Assemble all sections below into a single PDF for submission
    

• Cover Page (1page) 

1. Project Title
2. Corresponding Principal Investigator name, department, position/title, email
3. Co-Investigator(s) name, department, position/title, email
4. Post-doctoral Fellow name, institution, department, position/title, email (if applicable)
5. Supplemental Data (please include on cover page) 

• Human subjects:  
• Yes__ No__
• Approval number_____ Approval Pending_____
• Vertebrate Animals:  
  • Yes__ No__ 
  • Approval number_____ Approval pending_____ 
• Applicants will:  
  • Apply for HCRI membership or are current members            Yes___ No___ 
  • Acknowledge WCF on related publications                            Yes___ No___ 
  • Designated HCRI for F&A return on related external grants  Yes___ No___  

• Abstract (1 page, up to 30 lines of text) 

1. Provide a succinct overview of the proposed project. Include the relevance to cancer, the broad objectives and specific aims, an overview of the research design and methods, and a brief description of the inter-disciplinary training environment.  
   

• Research Plan 

1. Significance/Background (1 page):  

• relevance of proposed collaboration to a cancer-specific research problem 

1. Research Design (up to 3 pages) include:  

• overview of conceptual framework, design, methods, analyses 
• how the collaboration will develop novel concepts and/or approaches 
• how the application will generate preliminary data for an extramural application 
• must specify clearly defined targeted deliverables, with the timeline (in at least bi-annual increments)

1. References (include references on a separate page following research plan. References not included in the page limit.)
2. Biosketch (up to 5 pages) from each team member  

• Collaboration Plan (1 page) 

1. Describe the inter-disciplinary team, distinct contribution and advantage of each partner to team, and inter-group communication plan  

• Training/Mentoring Plan (1 page) 

1. Describe the specific mentoring and career development activities for the post-doctoral fellow, the advantages of the inter-disciplinary training opportunity, and how the training will be shared between the two laboratories. 

• Budget: Provide a budget for up to $100,000 direct costs as follows:  
• (A) Post-doctoral fellow – please refer to the NIH Guide of Stipend Levels for Post-doctoral Fellows and Notre Dame’s Fringe Benefits Requirements.

1. Note: funds are intended to support one post-doctoral fellow to perform shared research between 2 or more labs. Partial support of 2 or more post-docs from individual collaborator labs is not intended. 

• (B) Supplies to be budgeted at the discretion of the PI
• (C) Shared resource funds to be budgeted at the discretion of the PI
• (D) Budget justification 

Evaluation Criteria: Applications will be reviewed by a five-member committee composed of the Institute Director and the Program Co-Leaders. Review committee members with a conflict of interest will be substituted. Subject matter experts may be brought in as warranted. The applications will be reviewed based on the criteria below.

• Evidence of inter-disciplinary collaboration
• Overall scientific excellence
• Cancer relevance of project 
• Well defined deliverables
• Excellence of post-doctoral training plan
• Innovation