LCFA/IASLC Translational Research Grants in Thoracic Oncology

Funder: International Association for the Study of Lung Cancer (IASLC)

The LCFA/IASLC Translational Research Grants in Thoracic Oncology support early-career researchers aiming to enhance lung cancer treatment and care. With a focus on impactful studies, the grants provide $100,000 annually for two years, contingent on progress. Special consideration is given to projects that promise near-term patient benefits, improve access, or directly aid underrepresented communities. Eligible applicants must hold a doctoral degree and be IASLC members without independent grants exceeding $125,000 in direct costs.

Objectives
The objective of the LCFA/IASLC Translational Research Grants in Thoracic Oncology (“Grants”) is to support research, undertaken by early-career investigators, that aims to improve the care and treatment of individuals with lung cancers and other thoracic malignancies.
Examples, though not exclusive, include studies designed to:
Define the molecular basis of lung cancer risk assessment,Improve molecular diagnostics.Detect the disease early and guide curative-intent therapy.Discover predictive features guiding the use of targeted or immune oncology therapy to reduce recurrence after standard curative-intent strategies in early-stage disease.Improve the outcomes or cure patients with metastatic lung cancer.Facilitate care by minimizing treatment side effects.Illuminate the causes of non-smoking related lung cancer.
Special consideration will be given to projects that:
Have a possible near-term impact on patients, specifically, those that have potential to rapidly advance to or actually incorporate a prospective clinical trial.Improve access to care and/or patient outcomes.Directly benefit underrepresented populations.
Research Focus and Overview
Successful applications submitted for this RFA require a research approach that seeks to make an immediate and relevant impact on lung cancer patient care or to interpret the results of a clinical trial from a molecular basis as appropriate to help inform decisions in future clinical trials.
Grant Structure and Allocation
The Grant will be $100,000 per year for up to each of two years. The second year of support is based on the Grantee demonstrating satisfactory research progress as determined by LCFA/IASLC as well as the availability of funding from LCFA/IASLC.
No more than 50% of the requested budget for the Grant may be used for a Grantee’s salary and/or fringe benefits.  Any unused Grant funds at the conclusion of the study period will be returned to LCFA.

Eligibility

At the time of application, eligible applicants must meet these criteria: Be a member of the IASLC. If selected, the applicant must maintain their IASLC membership throughout the duration of the grant.Hold a doctoral degree (including PhD, MD, DO, PharmD, ScD or equivalent).Academic rank should be at the Instructor, Assistant Professor, or Associate Professor or equivalent level. May not hold an independent grant of the R21, R01, DOD or comparable type, including project leader on a SPORE or P01.For physicians: be within seven years of completion of residency or fellowship.For laboratory scientists: be within seven years of completion of post-doctoral work.Exceptions to the seven-year criterion (but not academic rank) can be made for those who may have had interruptions in their career.The foregoing notwithstanding, the following candidates may be eligible:Individuals who are currently supported by NIH Mentored Career Development (K) Grants.Recipients of ASCO Career Development Grants or mentored career development grants/grants from other organizations.
You must be a member of this organization to apply for this award - become a member.

Ineligibility

The applicant may not currently be or previously have been:Recipient of an LCFA grant.A Principal Investigator (PI) of a National Institutes of Health (NIH) peer reviewed research grant of at least $125,000 in direct costs per year for a minimum of 3 years. (With the exception of mentored career development grants or grants where the PI is required to be mentored by another investigator).A Principal Investigator or Co-Investigator on a NIH competing multi-component research or center grant or cooperative agreement within a P or U series grant (e.g., P01 Program Project Grant, U01 or U19 Research Program.A Principal Investigator of a peer-reviewed research grant of at least $125,000 in direct costs per year for a minimum of 3 years from any of the organizations listed in the Organizations with Peer Review Funding Systems at: https://cancercenters.cancer.gov/PoliciesResources/PoliciesResourcesGrant budget may not be used to fund the purchase of permanent equipment.No indirect costs are provided.Full professors (or equivalent) are not eligible.