DoD Peer Reviewed Cancer, Horizon Award

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The FY19 PRCRP Horizon Award supports junior-level scientists in conducting impactful research with the mentorship of an experienced cancer researcher (i.e., Mentor). The intent of the Horizon Award is to recruit junior-level scientists to perform research in one of the FY19 PRCRP Topic Areas. The Horizon Award challenges junior scientists to develop and implement research in the cancer field. This opportunity allows for junior investigators to develop a research project, investigate a problem or question in the field of cancer, and further their intellectual development as a cancer researcher of the future. Under this award mechanism, the junior investigator is considered the Principal Investigator (PI), and the application should focus on the PI’s research and career development. It should be clear that the proposed research is intellectually designed by the PI with assistance from the Mentor. Preliminary data are not required. However, logical reasoning and a sound scientific rationale for the proposed research must be demonstrated. Clinical trials will not be supported by this mechanism. Key elements of the Horizon Award are as follows: · Principal Investigator: Both predoctoral candidates and postdoctoral fellows are eligible according to the following definitions: o A predoctoral candidate within 2 years of completing required graduate coursework, having completed all laboratory rotations, successfully passed qualifying examinations (excluding time in residency, clinical training, or on family medical leave), and is working in his/her Mentor’s laboratory by the time of the application submission deadline. or o A postdoctoral fellow within 3 years of completion of his/her terminal degree (excluding time in residency, clinical training, or on family medical leave) and working in the Mentor’s laboratory at the time of the application submission deadline. The PI’s record of accomplishments (including but not limited to publications, awards, and research recognition) will be evaluated to determine his/her potential for contributing to the FY19 PRCRP Topic Area(s) the proposed research addresses. · Mentor: The Mentor must be an experienced cancer researcher as demonstrated by a strong record of active funding and publications. In addition, the Mentor must demonstrate a commitment to advancing the PI’s career in cancer research. The Mentor’s record of accomplishments (such as publications, patents, presentations, etc.) should include documentation of significant contribution to cancer research. If the Mentor is not a researcher in the selected FY19 PRCRP Topic Area of the PI, it is strongly recommended that a collaborator or co-Mentor be named. · PRCRP Topic Areas: The proposed research must address at least one of the FY19 PRCRP Topic Areas in Section II.A.1 . · Research Approach: The scientific rationale and experimental methodology should demonstrate in-depth analysis of the research problem presented. The feasibility of the research design and methods should be well-defined, and a clear plan should be articulated as to how the proposed goals of the project can be achieved. · Researcher Development Plan: A researcher development plan is required and should be prepared with appropriate guidance from the Mentor. The application should include a clearly articulated strategy for acquiring the necessary skills, competence, and expertise to successfully complete the proposed cancer research in at least one of the FY19 PRCRP Topic Areas in Section II.A.1 . A commitment of 100% effort by the PI is required for the proposed research. If the PI is a predoctoral candidate, the proposed research should be in the topic of the PI’s thesis. · Impact: The proposed research should have the potential for significant impact on at least one of the FY19 PRCRP Military Health Focus Areas in one of the FY19 PRCRP Topic Areas.

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