DoD Prostate Cancer Physician Research Award

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The Physician Research Award supports a mentored research experience to prepare physicians with clinical duties and/or responsibilities for productive careers in prostate cancer research. The mentored physician is considered the Principal Investigator (PI) of the application. This award emphasizes equally the quality of the proposed research project and the career development of the PI, which should prepare physicians for careers in basic, population science, translational, or clinical prostate cancer research. All applications for the Physician Research Award are to be written by the PI, with appropriate direction from the Mentor(s). Key elements of the award are as follows: • Principal Investigator: Physicians with clinical duties and/or responsibilities who, at the application submission deadline, are either in the last year of an accredited graduate medical education program as a resident or fellow, or within 3 years of having initiated an appointment as an Instructor, Assistant Professor, or equivalent, are eligible to apply. The PI must demonstrate a commitment to a career as an investigator at the forefront of prostate cancer research and clinical practice; however, the PI is not required to have previous prostate cancer research experience. The award is intended to provide protection of at least 40% of the PI’s time for prostate cancer research. • Mentor(s): This award requires the involvement of at least one designated Mentor with an established research program in prostate cancer, evidenced by recent publications, active funding, and successful mentorship. In addition, the Mentor(s) must demonstrate a commitment to advancing the PI’s career in prostate cancer research. • 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. The inclusion of preliminary data relevant to prostate cancer and the proposed project is encouraged but not required. Any preliminary data provided should be from the PI, Mentor(s), or member(s) of the collaborating team. Additionally, required resources should be identified and supported through documentation. • Researcher Development Plan: An individualized researcher development plan is required and should be prepared with appropriate guidance from the Mentor(s). The researcher development plan should include a clearly articulated strategy for acquiring the necessary skills, competence, and expertise that will enable the PI to successfully complete the proposed research project and foster the PI’s development as an independent prostate cancer researcher. An environment appropriate to the proposed mentoring and research project must be clearly described. • Impact: The proposed research should have the potential to make a significant impact on the program’s mission of eliminating death from prostate cancer and enhancing the well-being of men experiencing the impact of the disease. Proposed research projects are expected to address at least one of the PCRP focus areas and are strongly encouraged to address one or more of the PCRP overarching challenges. If the proposed project does not address any of the overarching challenges, the application should include a description to justify how the project will nevertheless address a critical need in the field of prostate cancer research and/or patient care.

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