The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network and AACR to Award Nearly $3 Million in Pancreatic Cancer Research Grants

EL SEGUNDO, Calif., Sept. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Association for Cancer Research in partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is now accepting applications for the 2011 research grants program. The program is administered using the AACR's rigorous peer-review system to ensure that the highest quality science is supported.

Numerous grants will be awarded in 2011, with a total funding level of nearly $3 million. This represents the largest annual dollar amount disbursed since the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network introduced the program in 2003, and is an almost 30 percent increase in funding over last year.

The grants program is designed to help incubate innovative research projects, grow the number of researchers directly working on pancreatic cancer, nurture collaborations across disciplines and institutions, and expedite scientific progress for patient benefit. In addition to receiving financial support for their research, grantees participate in a mentorship program that connects them with leading scientists in the field. Ongoing career support activities offer opportunities for education and professional development.

"This year's grants program marks a significant milestone as we will have surpassed $10 million in research funding since the program's inception in 2003," stated Julie Fleshman, president and CEO of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. "During this time, we have begun to form a community of researchers dedicated to making progress in the fight against pancreatic cancer.  For so many years, the pancreatic cancer research community was sparse and underfunded. We are beginning to see a transformation, due in part, to our research and advocacy efforts."

"All cancers are in great need of further investigation and increased funding, but because of its low survival rate, pancreatic cancer is particularly challenging and provides us with an urgent call to action," said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), CEO of the American Association for Cancer Research. "We are very proud of our strong and ongoing partnership with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. Together, through cutting edge scientific research, we feel strongly that we will increase our understanding of this deadly form of cancer and, ultimately, conquer it."

The following grants are open for application:

Pathway to Leadership Grant

The Pathway to Leadership Grant is designed to build future leaders in the pancreatic cancer research community by supporting promising early-career scientists in their postdoctoral positions through the transition to independence. Applicants must have started postdoctoral or clinical research fellowships on or after July 2, 2006 (i.e., must be in the first five years of a fellowship at the start of the grant term). The Pathway to Leadership Grant provides up to five years of support, totaling $600,000.  

Fellowship

The Fellowship supports early-career scientists during the mentored research phase. Applicants must have started postdoctoral or clinical research fellowships on or after July 2, 2008 (i.e., must be in the first three years of a fellowship at the start of the grant term). The Fellowship is a one-year grant, totaling $45,000.  

Career Development Award

The Career Development Award supports newly independent investigators to develop or strengthen their research programs in pancreatic cancer. Applicants must have completed postdoctoral or clinical research fellowships on or after July 2, 2007 (i.e., must be in the first four years of a full-time faculty appointment at the start of the grant term). This is a two-year grant, totaling $200,000.

Innovative Grant

The Innovative Grant supports creative and cutting edge ideas and approaches, including those successful in other areas of cancer that have justifiable promise for pancreatic cancer. The two-year grant totals $200,000 and is available to independent junior or senior investigators.  

The deadline for Letters of Intent for the Innovative Grant is October 4, 2010. Applications for the Pathway to Leadership Grant, Fellowship and Career Development Award are due October 27, 2010. Submissions must be completed online using the proposalCENTRAL website at https://proposalcentral.altum.com/. Funding decisions will available in March 2011. The grant term begins July 1, 2011.

Since the partnership began with the AACR in 2003, the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network has awarded 56 grants, totaling over $7 million. To learn more about the 2011 grants program, visit: http://www.pancan.org/section_research/research_grants_program/

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network:

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the only national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization raises money for direct private funding of research -- and advocates for more aggressive federal research funding of medical breakthroughs in prevention, diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network fills the void of information and options by giving patients and caregivers reliable, personalized information they need to make informed decisions. It creates a sense of hope and community so no one has to face pancreatic cancer alone. The organization helps support individuals and communities all across the country to work together to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for pancreatic cancer.

About the American Association for Cancer Research:

The mission of the American Association for Cancer Research is to prevent and cure cancer. Founded in 1907, the AACR is the world's oldest and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research. The membership includes 32,000 basic, translational and clinical researchers; health care professionals; and cancer survivors and advocates in the United States and more than 90 other countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise from the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer through high-quality scientific and educational programs. It funds innovative, meritorious research grants, research fellowship and career development awards. The AACR Annual Meeting attracts more than 17,000 participants who share the latest discoveries and developments in the field. Special conferences throughout the year present novel data across a wide variety of topics in cancer research, treatment and patient care. The AACR publishes six major peer-reviewed journals: Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention; and Cancer Prevention Research. The AACR also publishes CR, a magazine for cancer survivors and their families, patient advocates, physicians and scientists. CR provides a forum for sharing essential, evidence-based information and perspectives on progress in cancer research, survivorship and advocacy.

SOURCE Pancreatic Cancer Action Network