FBCF: Scientific Research Grant - Pilot Program

The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation (FBCF) offers the Scientific Research Grant - Pilot Program, providing up to $100,000 for innovative breast cancer research. This initiative emphasizes collaborative projects that address critical areas such as environmental links to breast cancer, translational research, and psycho-immunological studies. FBCF aims to support new investigators and multidisciplinary teams to transform breast cancer treatment and understanding, ultimately striving for a significant impact on outcomes for patients in Florida.

Grants are awarded in support of innovative education and research programs throughout Florida.
The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation strives to fund breast cancer research projects that have the potential to make a significant impact on breast cancer, particularly in multidisciplinary and/or multi-institutional collaborations. The FBCF believes that collaborative research is the path to making extraordinary leaps in the future of breast cancer, and by working together, we will make a difference and change the breast cancer landscape.
As we work to end the suffering caused by breast cancer, FBCF continues to fund research that will reduce mortality rates, decrease chances of metastatis or relapse, improve current treatments, as well as provide pathways to discovering new therapies.
The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation is currently offering scientific grants for Pilot Program research projects, with a maximum of $100,000 for a one year project. Preference will be given to new/first time applicants and to research applications that are a reflection of a collaborative and integrated multidisciplinary approach. The committee reserves the right to place limitations on awards.
Innovative projects can be in the areas of: basic, clinical, and translational breast cancer research and novel epidemiological studies of breast cancer, research on possible links between breast cancer and the environment, and psycho-immunological, research as examples.
Priority Areas
Basic, clinical (including novel diagnostic/therapeutic modalities), and translational breast cancer research.
Understanding the links between environmental factors and breast cancer in Florida.
Novel epidemiological studies to provide insight on opportunities for improving breast cancer detection and treatment in Florida.
Psycho-immunologic mechanisms and breast cancer progression: implications for improving outcomes.
Special Emphasis Areas
Vulnerable populations/disparitiesComorbidities/treatment-related adverse side effectsAge-associated breast cancer studiesGenetic screening and risk assessment
Statement of Need
The Florida Breast Cancer Foundation supports unique research projects or ideas (from small- to large-scale) that specifically focus on scientific and clinical breast cancer issues, which, if successfully addressed, could ultimately revolutionize the understanding and/or treatment of breast cancer and move closer to the goal of eradicating the disease.
The critical components of this award mechanism are as follows:
Impact: The most important aspect of the grant is the potential of the proposed research to have a radical, revolutionary impact on an area of paramount importance in breast cancer. The potential impact may be near-term or long-term, but it must be transformative. It is the responsibility of the applicant to clearly and explicitly articulate the potential impact on breast cancer, including how it would be transformative.Research Question: Research proposed under the grant must address an underexplored issue of critical significance in breast cancer. The FBCF particularly encourages applications that focus on less explored or poorly understood areas that are of high importance in breast cancer, such as those related to prevention, susceptibility, protection, recurrence, and metastasis. The proposed work must be based on a sound overall research strategy and may be from any discipline or combination of disciplines.New Investigators and multi-disciplinary research teams: New investigators are considered to be in the first three years of a tenure-track position, or an equivalent independent research appointment, at their institution. Multi-disciplinary research teams can be composed of investigators from all levels but should involve expertise from at least two or more different disciplines, such as a basic cancer biologist teamed with a medical oncologist or a chemist.
Funding
Funds will be limited to $100,000 for 1 year including a maximum of 20% for indirect costs.

Eligibility

Only Florida-based non-profit community-based organizations that are tax-exempt under Internal Revenue Code section 501(c)(3), Florida governmental entities, Florida-based tax-exempt educational institutions, and Indian tribes within the State of Florida, are eligible to apply for funding. Organizations registered as 501(c)(3) entities outside of Florida are eligible to apply if a physical presence is maintained within the state of Florida that is open and fully operating for 12 months a year. All activities funded through this competition must occur in Florida. All work must occur, and all funds must be spent in Florida at the applicant organization and any collaborating entities within Florida.All applications must cover at least one of the priority areas.Applicants must ensure that all past and current FBCF grants or awards are up-to-date and in compliance with FBCF’s contract and reporting requirements.
If the organization has an open Scientific award with FBCF, the award must be current and due to be completed by the end of the grant period, to be eligible to apply for the new grant cycle.

Ineligibility

If the applicant or any of its key employees, directors, officers, or agents are convicted of fraud or any crime involving other financial or administrative impropriety within the preceding 12 months, the applicant is not eligible to apply for a grant during the current funding cycle, and will not be eligible to apply for a new grant until the applicant can demonstrate that appropriate remedial measures have been implemented to mitigate any criminal conduct occurring in the future.