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Research We Fund: Extramural Discovery Science
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- Discovery Boost Grants (DBG)
- Arizona (AZ) Discovery Boost Grants (DBG)
- AHEAD (Advancing Health Equity and Addressing Cancer Disparities) Awards
- Mission Boost Grants (MBG)
- Research Scholar Grants
- Postdoctoral Fellowships
- Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG)
- ASTRO-ACS Clinician Scientist Development Grant (CSDG)
- Institutional Research Grants
- RFA: Extramural Discovery Science Accelerator Award
- HEALED Gold Medal RFA to Support Mind-Body-Spirit Wellness in Cancer Survivors
- RFA: Cancer Health Equity Research Centers
- RFA: Real-World Data Impact Award (RWIA)
- RFA: The Role of Health Policy and Health Insurance in Improving Access to and Performance of Cancer Prevention, Early Detection, and Treatment Services
- ACS Professor Award
- X RFA: Cancer Stem Cell Consortium
- Clinical Research Professor
- RFA: Metastasis in Melanoma and Other Cancers
- X Cancer Health Equity Research
- TheoryLab Collaborative (TLC) Grant
- Extramural Grants Department Staff Contacts
- Definition of Research Areas
- FAQs: ACS Extramural Discovery Science and Grant Application Submissions
- Extramural Priority Research Areas
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- Peer Review Committee for Experimental Therapeutics (ET)
- Peer Review Committee for DNA Mechanisms in Cancer (DMC)
- Peer Review Committee for Institutional Research Grants (IRG)
- Peer Review Committee for RNA Mechanisms in Cancer (RMC)
- Peer Review Committee for Tumor Biochemistry and Endocrinology (TBE)
- Peer Review Committee for Cancer Cell Biology (CCB)
- Peer Review Committee for Cancer Detection and Progression (CDP)
- X Peer Review Committee for Cancer Prevention, Screening, and Health Promotion (CPSH)
- Peer Review Committee for Healthcare Outcomes, Policy, and Systems Research (HOPS)
- Peer Review Committee for Mission Boost Grants
- Peer Review Committee for Immunology and Blood Cell Development (IBCD)
- Peer Review Committee for Treatment, Palliative Care, and Survivorship Research
- Discovery Scientific Council
- Stakeholder Participation on Grant Peer Review Committees
- Peer Review Committee for Metastasis and Microenvironment (MM)
- X Peer Review Committee for Clinical Studies and Clinical Trials
- Peer Review Committee for Etiology, Screening, and Early Detection (ESED)
- Peer Review Committee for Cancer Prevention and Health Promotion (CPHP)
- ACS Professor Peer Review Committee
- American Cancer Society Professors
AHEAD (Advancing Health Equity and Addressing Cancer Disparities) Awards
Purpose
The American Cancer Society (ACS) is committed to improving the lives of cancer patients and their families by enhancing access to quality cancer care and ensuring that all people have an equal chance to prevent, detect, treat, and survive cancer.
Toward this goal, ACS is announcing AHEAD (Advancing Health Equity and Addressing Cancer Disparities) Awards intended to fund pilot, first-in-field, innovative strategies that increase quality cancer screening, clinical trials—and cancer care closer to home.
Mark Your Calendar
Webinar: Email the Program Contact to request a recording of the webinar
Application Deadline: April 1 & October 15
Application Review: June and January
Grant Activation: January and July
Program Contact:
kimberly.clarke@cancer.org
Background
In this era of precision oncology, sophisticated technologies (including ’omic-based risk assessment, multi-cancer early-detection tests, and advancements in targeted and immune therapies) continue to drive progress against cancer. However, many people across the United States who need more personalized care are not benefiting from these innovations.
As the ACS boldly strives to end cancer as we know it for everyone, we recognize that a truly transformational impact on health equity in oncology requires investing in early-stage, and perhaps unconventional, approaches for meeting people where they live.
The spirit of our AHEAD Awards highly aligns with the Cancer Moonshot goal—to make the cancer experience less burdensome for patients and their families and caregivers. This special funding opportunity was inspired, in part, by successes made during the COVID-19 pandemic to pivot the delivery of medical care away from major health centers into communities and even the comforts of home. The COVID-19 pandemic also highlighted the value of facilitating home care in innovative ways, especially for immunocompromised cancer patients and other vulnerable populations.
Scientific Scope
AHEAD Awards will fund exploratory, novel research studies that seek to improve access to quality cancer screening and/or cancer care by bringing technologies to individuals rather than requiring travel to healthcare facilities. A scientist's proposed research may break new ground or strategize a new application of existing technologies or new intervention. We encourage the testing of high-risk, high-reward pilot projects to maximize the likelihood for breakthrough research and critical impact.
Examples of possible research areas:
- Digital technologies to democratize clinical trials
- Biometrics and wearables
- Remote imaging and at-home testing
- Novel strategies for telehealth
- Remote and at-home cancer screening
- Innovative modes of delivering at-home care
Eligibility and Budget
The principal investigator must:
- Have a doctoral degree
- Work at a US academic institution or eligible non-profit organization
- Have an independent faculty appointment (or equivalent position)
Discovery Boost Grants are funded up to $135,000 per year for up to 2 years, plus 10% indirect costs. The maximum allowable budget is $297,000 for a 2-year project period.
All application materials are located on proposalCENTRAL under the ACS Discovery Boost Grant funding mechanism.
Expected Outcomes
This funded exploratory/developmental research is expected to inform larger feasibility studies with the potential to advance health equity; build trust between patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers; and improve cancer outcomes for all.