U.S. CDMRP – Ovarian Cancer Research Program| Research Funding

Through the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP), the Department of Defense is announcing the 2024 Ovarian Cancer Research Program (OCRP) Awards. Several award programs are available:

The Clinical Trial Award supports the rapid implementation of clinical trials with the potential to have a significant impact on the treatment or management of ovarian cancer. Clinical trials may be designed to evaluate promising new products, pharmacologic agents (drugs or biologics), devices, clinical guidance, and/or emerging approaches and technologies. Proposed projects may range from small proof-of-concept trials (e.g., pilot, first-in-human, phase 0) to demonstrate the feasibility or inform the design of more advanced trials through large-scale trials to determine efficacy in relevant patient populations.

• The Clinical Trial Translational Endpoints Research Award intends to support correlation of clinical trial-related data (e.g., biosample analysis, imaging, or epidemiological data) with clinical outcomes or responses to therapies. Correlative studies may be associated with a past, ongoing, or future clinical trial in order to associate various factors (genetic, biochemical, environmental and others) with initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence, prognosis, diagnosis or effect of intervention on ovarian cancer outcomes. The translational research should address high-impact or unmet needs in ovarian cancer. The proposed research may be hypothesis testing or may be designed to generate new hypotheses to be tested in followup clinical research. The award may not be used to directly support a clinical trial.
   
• The Investigator-Initiated Research Award is intended to support high-impact research that addresses a critical need and has the potential to make an important contribution to ovarian cancer or patient/survivor care. Research projects may focus on any phase of research, from basic laboratory research through translational research, excluding clinical trials. The application must demonstrate logical reasoning and a sound scientific rationale established through a critical review and analysis of the literature for the application to be competitive. Applications must include preliminary data that are relevant to ovarian cancer and support the proposed research project. These data may be unpublished or from the published literature.
   
• The Ovarian Cancer Academy (OCA) is a unique, interactive virtual academy providing intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for junior faculty. The overarching goal of the OCA is to develop successful, highly productive ovarian cancer researchers in a collaborative research and career development environment.
  • The OCA is a virtual career development and research training platform that consists of Early Career Investigators (ECIs), their Designated Mentors from different institutions, and an Academy Dean and Assistant Dean. The OCA-ECI Award is not a traditional career development award; the ECI is expected to participate in monthly webinars and annual workshops and to communicate and collaborate with other members of the Academy (other ECIs, Mentors, the Dean and Assistant Dean) as well as with the advocacy community. Since its inception, the Academy’s ECIs have presented at and chaired sessions for ovarian cancerspecific symposia and served on symposia review committees. They have also served as peer reviewers for the Department of Defense (DOD) OCRP and other funding agencies.
  • This FY24 Funding Opportunity is soliciting applications for an Academy Dean and Assistant Dean to lead the ongoing OCA. The Academy Dean and Assistant Dean catalyze the growth and professional development of the ECIs in collaboration with their Designated Mentors, assess the progress of the ECIs, and facilitate communication and collaboration among all of the Academy members. The Academy Dean and Assistant Dean (referred to as Academy Leadership) must be established ovarian cancer researchers and can be at different institutions.
     
• The Pilot Award supports the exploration of innovative concepts or theories in ovarian cancer that could ultimately lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will drive the field forward. The proposed research must demonstrate a clear focus on ovarian cancer (e.g., using tissues, cell lines, datasets, or appropriate animal models), and serve as a catalyst to expand or modify current thinking about and/or approaches in ovarian cancer. If cell lines or animals are to be used, a clear justification should be provided for the choice of proposed cell line(s) or animal model(s).

• Clinical Trial Award: max. $ 2M
• Clinical Trial Translational Endpoints Research Award: max. $ 1M
• Investigator-Initiated Research Award: $ 1M – 1.2M
• Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award: max. $725,000
• Ovarian Cancer Academy – Leadership Award: max. $ 1.75M
• Pilot award: max. $300,000

• Clinical Trial Award: 4 years
• Clinical Trial Translational Endpoints Research Award: 3 years
• Investigator-Initiated Research Award: 4 years
• Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award: 4 years
• Ovarian Cancer Academy – Leadership Award: 4 years
• Pilot award: 2 years

• 14 May 2024, 5:00 p.m. Eastern time for
  • Investigator-Initiated Research Award
  • Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award
  • Pilot award
     
• 03 June 2024, 5:00 p.m. Eastern time for
  • Ovarian Cancer Academy – Leadership Award
  • Clinical Trial Translational Endpoints Research Award
  • Clinical Trial Award

• 06 August 2024, 11:59 p.m Eastern Time

• To find the full program announcements and to start your pre-application see here.
• A useful summary each call can be found here.
• For questions about the eBRAP or Grants.gov platforms, contact the Research Office.
• Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Numbers:
  • Clinical Trial Award: HT942524OCRPCTA
  • Clinical Trial Translational Endpoints Research Award: HT942524OCRPCTTERA
  • Investigator-Initiated Research Award: HT942524OCRPIIRA
  • Ovarian Cancer Academy – Early-Career Investigator Award: HT942524OCRPOCAECI
  • Ovarian Cancer Academy – Leadership Award: HT942524OCRPOCALA
  • Pilot award: HT942524OCRPPA

• Understand the basic biology and etiology of ovarian cancer initiation, progression, metastasis, recurrence, genetics, proteogenomic and other critical events.
• Develop novel therapeutic strategies for treatment.
• Investigate innovative approaches for ovarian cancer prevention.
• Identify and develop new strategies for screening, early-stage detection, accurate diagnosis, and prognosis.
• Identify and implement strategies to improve survivorship and quality of life.
• Address health disparities.
• Improve precision medicine.