Research We Fund: Extramural Discovery Science

RFA: ACS IMPACT - Expanding Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials in the Community

Purpose

Despite declines in overall cancer mortality in the United States, prostate cancer deaths in Black men represent the greatest mortality disparity in oncology. 

Black men are 2 to 4 times more likely to die from prostate cancer than any other racial and ethnic group and have a 70% higher incidence rate compared to White men. 

Unfortunately, less than 5% of participants in oncology clinical trials are Black men. Clinical trials provide an avenue for patients to contribute to research findings for future generations and may offer access to cutting-edge therapies.

The American Cancer Society (ACS) is committed to enhancing racial diversity in clinical trials. 

Mark Your Calendar

Informational Webinar for Applicants: Sept. 16, 2024, 12-1 PM ET
Link to Webinar

LOI Deadline
Sept. 30, 2024

Application Deadline
Jan. 15, 2025

Anticipated Start Date
April 1, 2025

To increase participation of Black men with prostate cancer in clinical trials, ACS is announcing a new grant opportunity to support local oncology practices and hospitals in their efforts to expand clinical trial enrollment. This opportunity is part of the ACS IMPACT (Improving Mortality from Prostate Cancer Together) initiative.

To support clinical trial recruitment efforts, ACS will facilitate the use of Trial Library, a platform that helps clinical oncology practices identify clinical trials, pre-screen patients, and provides technology-enabled navigation services to ensure patients have needed resources to enroll and complete trials.

To build upon and facilitate the sustainability of efforts to boost diversity in clinical trial enrollment, ACS will connect and involve all awardees with The Prostate Cancer Clinical Trials Consortium (PCCTC). The PCCTC will assist awardees in determining what additional infrastructure and/or training could enhance their site's ability to conduct prostate cancer clinical trials and support the site in obtaining this infrastructure and/or training. Awardees will also have the opportunity to participate in new PCCTC-managed trials.

Eligibility and Budget

Eligible applicants must have direct patient interaction and the capability to participate in clinical trials. Because this initiative aims to expand past established networks, groups affiliated with an NCI-designated comprehensive cancer center must clearly justify how this award would engage community practices and diversify trial enrollment.
 
ACS will give awardees up to $200k direct costs per year for 2 years to build the infrastructure needed to boost diversity in clinical trials. These funds may be used to support clinical staff involved in recruitment and trial enrollment as well as any infrastructure needed to engage men with prostate cancer. An additional year of support may be available if significant progress is demonstrated.

Application and Review Process

Interested applicants must submit a letter of intent (LOI), 3 pages maximum, using ProposalCentral that includes the:
 
  • Title
  • Primary investigator (PI)
  • Contact information
  • Other key personnel
  • Volume of patients
  • Involvement in clinical trials
  • A description of the proposed project
Upon receipt, ACS will provide appropriate guidance to ensure applications are within scope of this funding announcement.
 
Successful applications will be those with demonstrated ability to participate in clinical trials, community engagement in areas that include a sizeable Black population, and viable plans to boost enrollment that will benefit from additional funds and services provided by this initiative.

Questions: Please contact joanne.elena@cancer.org Joanne Elena, PhD, MPH, Scientific Director, Clinical and Cancer Control Research, Extramural Discovery Science

See LOI Instructions

Apply on ProposalCentral