Overview
The objectives of the Developmental Research Program are as follows:
• Publicize the availability of developmental research funds in translational breast cancer research
• Identify projects that are innovative and have significant potential for reducing breast cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality or for increasing survival
• Encourage collaborations among investigators within the UAB Breast SPORE and with investigators outside the UAB Breast SPORE environment
• Define specific criteria for meritorious projects
• Develop a peer-review mechanism for scoring and ranking competing applications
• Provide funds for developmental research both within and outside the UAB Breast SPORE
• Develop an effective evaluation process for funded developmental research projects.
The mission of the UAB Breast SPORE is to develop a program that is flexible and promotes translational research. Developmental research projects that show promise follow one of three courses: 1) they are funded for a second year; 2) associated scientists are encouraged to apply for R01 or other research support; or 3) they are elevated to a full SPORE project. Unpromising projects are discontinued. The objectives of the Developmental Research Program are being met successfully. In Years 1 to 4 of the UAB Breast SPORE, the program funded 18 investigators not previously funded by the SPORE. It is generating intense interest among non-SPORE investigators, which is made evident by the large number of preliminary developmental research project applications submitted during the 2004 solicitation (n = 23). Of these, 14 were asked to provide a full application and up to six quality projects will be funded in October 2004.
--Applications and awarded projects:
PROJECTS
PUBLICATIONS
