ResearchWe improve the care, quality of life, and survival rate of children with malignant diseases. |  |
The Grant Cycle for 2012 is Closed
Grant Applications will be accepted January 1, 2013 through May 1, 2013.
Applications are to be submitted to the PCRF Offices.
Grant Information & Procedures
Since its establishment in 1982 as a grass-roots organization, the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation (“PCRF”) has focused its efforts to improving the care, quality of life and survival rate of children with malignant diseases. PCRF concentrates its efforts in support of laboratory research that will translate into immediate treatment for children with cancer.
PCRF will primarily fund research that brings innovative new drugs and treatment regimens to children. In funding these research activities, PCRF ensures that laboratory discoveries are made available quickly to patients who can benefit by receiving the best cancer care possible.
PCRF is an equal opportunity organization. No one is excluded from employment, membership on its governing body, or research support because of race, religion, sex, national origin, age or physical handicap.
Program Goals and Scope
PCRF wishes to encourage and provide support for research which is intended to develop innovative approaches to the treatment, diagnosis or prevention of pediatric cancer. PCRF desires to foster investigation with the intent of enhancing basic research and enhancing its transfer to clinical usefulness.
Applications proposing novel approaches to the prevention, management or cure of pediatric cancer are sought. Proposals should be based on molecular, cellular or integrated systems and be conceptually innovative. The application should have a clear plan for study and future clinical use of the factual data obtained.
Information and Procedures
PCRF has established procedures that allow it to utilize its resources as judiciously as possible. Receiving and reviewing grant requests at one predetermined time each year provides the framework for a thorough and thoughtful funding process.
The funding cycle for research grants begins with the receipt of grant proposals by May 1st each year, followed by a review period of 3 to 4 months, with notification delivered between October 1st – December 31st of the year, and actual funding beginning January 1st of the following year.
Length of funding period
Awards will generally be made for a one to three year period at the Board’s discretion. Renewals for additional years may be made for promising projects as recognized by the Scientific Review Committee.
Funding Range
There are no set dollar limitations for our Research Grants. However, grants for research support are subject to the constraints of our annual budget. No overhead or indirect costs to institutions will be funded. Budget requests must be carefully justified and be consistent with the objectives of the project.
Eligibility requirements
Applications may be submitted by individuals holding a M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree working in domestic non-profit organizations such as universities, colleges, hospitals, or laboratories (the “sponsoring institution”). Applications may be multi-institutional in nature. Applicants currently holding a grant may re-apply for extension of similar research by submitting a Renewal Application.
Review procedures
Scientific peer review is conducted by PCRF’s Scientific Review Committee according to the review criteria summarized below. The Scientific Review Committee will direct their recommendation for awards based on scientific merit to the Scientific Affairs Committee. The PCRF Board of Directors will consider the recommendations of the Scientific Affairs Committee and will determine the number and dollar amount of awards to be funded based on the budget approved for the year.
The Scientific Review Committee will review applications during the months of June through August. Applications will be judged on the Review Criteria (see below). If any application does not meet the goals of PCRF it will be disqualified. Applicants selected for funding will be notified during the period October 1st through December 31st of the year. Funding status is relayed by mail only and not available by telephone. All priority scores are considered confidential and are available to the Scientific Review Committee, Scientific Affairs Committee, PCRF Board of Directors and administrative staff only. Written critiques of applications are not provided to applicants.
Review Criteria
- The probability of an advance in prevention, diagnosis or treatment for the near-term
- The novelty of the concept and strategy
- The clarity of presentation
- The overall plan for bringing the research findings to clinical application
- Experience, background and qualifications of the investigators
- Adequacy of resources and environment. (Facilities, patients, etc.)
Funding Cycle
Funds awarded shall be used solely for the purposes specified in the application submitted for consideration and in strict compliance with the budget submitted with the application. No indirect costs will be funded.
PCRF uses the calendar year of accounting, and thus, all awards will be activated on January 1 of the year following the application, and a contract will be forwarded for signature by the grantee and sponsoring institution. Grant payments will be made periodically (generally quarterly or semiannually) at the discretion of PCRF and subsequent payments will only be remitted upon submission, review, and approval of the appropriate Progress and Accounting Reports as discussed below. Payments will be made to the controller or other fiscal officer for the institution as indicated in the application’s budget. The institution will be responsible for disbursing the funds to the grantee in accordance with the budget submitted.
PCRF is not responsible if for any reason funds are expended at an amount in excess of the awarded Grant amount. It will be the responsibility of the sponsoring institution to make restitution to PCRF for any remaining funds in the event of transfer or premature termination of the grant.
If a Primary Investigator grantee transfers or terminates from his sponsoring institution during the course of the Grant award period, the Grant will immediately terminate, and can be only be transferred to another institution with the written approval of PCRF’s Scientific Committee or Board of Directors.
Failure of the grantee and/or sponsoring institution to adhere to any of the terms and conditions in the contract shall constitute sufficient grounds for PCRF, in its discretion, to withhold any or all funds due until the deficiency is corrected. Either PCRF or the sponsoring institution may then terminate the contract upon giving ninety (90) days written notice, if the deficiency cannot be corrected. In such case, any unexpended balance of funds must be returned to PCRF.
PCRF grants do not constitute an employer-employee relationship between the recipient and PCRF.
PCRF does not assume any legal responsibility or obligation for the conduct or acts of the recipient.
Recognition and credits
The designation “Supported by a research grant from the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation” shall be used in all related research publications during the period of the grant. “Support by the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation” should also be stated in any news releases about the grantee or grantee’s project by the public relations department or its equivalent at the sponsoring institution.
Transfers
In the event the grantee desires to transfer to another institution while the grant is in effect, continuation of the funding at the new institution may be allowed with the prior written approval of PCRF’s Scientific Committee or Board of Directors. To obtain permission for relocation, the grantee must request a transfer from PCRF 30 days prior to the projected move. The decision to approve the transfer will be at the sole discretion of PCRF and will be dependent upon several factors including acceptance by the new sponsoring institution and convincing evidence that the new environment and collaborations will permit successful pursuit of the research.
A final accounting of all disbursements of the Grant funds by the original institution through the proposed day of transfer will also be required. Requests for transfer should be sent to the Chairman of the Scientific Affairs at PCRF.
Progress reports
The grantee must submit a typewritten report of his/her progress sixty (60) days prior to the grant anniversary date in each year that the grant is in effect. As part of the report, there must be a one or two paragraph summary written for the lay public. In addition, PCRF may request, at its sole discretion, more periodic or quarterly progress reports.
Progress reports which are more than thirty (30) days late will result in suspension of funds. These reports shall be reviewed by the Scientific Affairs Committee of PCRF in order to evaluate the research progress of each grantee. The PCRF Scientific Affairs Committee reserves the right to terminate any grant if it determines that there has been inadequate research progress.
Final reports
Within ninety (90) days of the expiration of the grant period, the grantee shall submit a summation of the research, together with copies of all publications concerning completed research. A summary of the research project must be included for the lay public. The final grant payment shall be made only after the receipt by PCRF of a satisfactory final research report and a satisfactory final accounting report.
Accounting reports
The financial officer of the sponsoring institution must submit periodic reports detailing how the grant funds were expended during the appropriate time period as set forth by PCRF. These reports shall be submitted within sixty (60) days after the end of the requested time period (generally quarterly or semiannually). In addition, the sponsoring institution also agrees to submit a cumulative final accounting immediately upon completion or termination of the grant. The final grant payment shall be made only after the receipt by PCRF of a satisfactory final research report and a satisfactory final accounting report. Any requests for payment made more than ninety (90) days after the conclusion of the Grant will not be honored.
Deadlines
Applications will be accepted through May 1st of each year. Completed applications must be received at the PCRF office by 5:00 PM on May 1st. Any application received after the May 1st deadline will not be considered. If any of the deadlines fall on a Saturday or Sunday, the applications are due the next business day.
Confidentiality
All applications are considered confidential and are available to the members of Scientific Affairs Committee, the Scientific Review Board and administrative personnel only.
Applications and Questions
Grant guidelines and application may be obtained from the Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation website at www.pcrf-kids.org. Questions relating to the granting process may be directed to:
Director of Scientific Affairs
Pediatric Cancer Research Foundation
9272 Jeronimo Rd. Ste. 122
Irvine, California 92618
Telephone (949) 859-6312
Fax (949) 859-6323
