U.S. CDMRP – Rare Cancers Research Program (RCRP)| Research Funding

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

• The Concept Award supports highly innovative, untested, potentially groundbreaking novel concepts in rare cancers. The Concept Award is not intended to support an incremental progression of an already established research project; instead, it allows Principal Investigators (PIs) the opportunity to pursue serendipitous observations. Preliminary data are not required. This award mechanism supports high-risk studies that have the potential to reveal entirely new avenues for investigation. Applications must describe how the new idea will enhance the existing knowledge of rare cancers or develop an innovative and novel course of investigation. Research completed through a Concept Award may generate sufficient preliminary data to enable the PI to prepare an application for future research.
  Applications must address at least one of the FY2024 focus areas listed in this document.
   
• The Idea Development Award promotes new ideas that are still in the early stages of development and have the potential to yield impactful data and new avenues of investigation. This award supports research supported by preliminary data that could lead to critical discoveries or major advancements that will accelerate progress toward eradicating deaths and suffering from rare cancers. Applications should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale.
  Applications must address at least one of the FY2024 focus areas listed in this document.
   
• The Resource and Community Development Award supports the development of clinical or preclinical data sets and research resources that advance the field of rare cancers research and ultimately improve outcomes for individuals with rare cancers. Major gaps in patient care of rare cancers include lack of communication and dissemination strategies for rare cancers research and clinical findings within communities; lack of therapeutics and mechanistic studies to inform treatment development; lack of research and clinical resources, including patient tissues, cell, and tumor models; and lack of infrastructure for sharing data and other resources.
  Applications must address the Research Platform Development focus area: Develop platforms (such as tumor tissue repositories with clinical annotation, centralized databanks, patient registries with common data structure, research models, “Omics” databases and longitudinal studies of natural history and treatment response) for type(s) or sub-type(s) of rare cancers to allow sharing of data, bio-specimens and resources.

• Concept Award: $100,000
• Idea Development Award: $350,000
• Resource and Community Development Award: $800,000

• Concept Award: 2 years
• Idea Development Award: 3 years
• Resource and Community Development Award: 4 years

• 17 June 2024, 5:00 p.m. Eastern time
• 15 July 2024, 5:00 p.m. Eastern time for the Concept Award          

• 23 September 2024, 11:59 p.m Eastern Time
• 26 August 2024, 11:59 p.m Eastern time for the Concept Award                                              

• To find the full program announcements and to start your pre-application see here
• A useful summary of each call can be found here
• For questions about the eBRAP or Grants.gov platforms, contact the Research Office.
• Grants.gov Funding Opportunity Numbers:
  • Concept Award: HT942524RCRPCA
  • Idea Development Award: HT942524RCRPIDA
  • Resource and Community Development Award: HT942524RCRPRCDA