Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Research Grant
Program Summary
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer death in the United States in men and women combined. According to the American Cancer Society, in recent decades incidence of colorectal cancer and mortality due to the disease have been declining in older adults, diagnosed over the age of 50 years old. However, scientists are now reporting a sharp rise in colorectal cancers in adults diagnosed before the age of 50 years old, an ominous trend including young adults diagnosed in their 20s and 30s.
A recent study published in the Journal of the National Cancer Institute states that adults born circa 1990, compared with those born circa 1950, have double the risk of colon cancer and quadruple the risk of rectal cancer. In addition, from 1989-90 to 2012-2013 the proportion of rectal cancers diagnosed in adults younger than age 55 doubled from 14.6% to 29.2%. Currently, one in ten colorectal cancer patients are diagnosed before the age of 50 and nearly one-third of rectal patients are younger than age 55.
Given these rising trends, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance Chris4Life Research Grants in young-onset colorectal cancer research represent an effort to encourage and support researchers to conduct young-onset colorectal cancer research and to establish a successful career path in this field.
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance will award three Colorectal Cancer Alliance Chris4Life Research Grants in Young-Onset Colorectal Cancer Research in June 2020.
Grant proposals will be considered in the following categories:
- Basic
- Translational,
- Clinical, or
- Epidemiological in nature
Focus could be but is not limited to one or all of the following areas:
- The risk factors and causes associated with the rise in young-onset colorectal cancer including but not limited to changes in the microbiome and its impact on young-onset colorectal cancer.
- Cellular, genomic, and epigenomic mechanisms in young-onset colorectal cancer for improving early detection and improving treatments.
- Better mechanisms for increasing the long-term survival rates of those with young-onset colorectal cancer.
- The psychosocial impacts of young-onset colorectal cancer and the overall social influence on daily survivorship.
Examples of such projects include, but are not limited to:
- Research that leads to improvement in early detection and intervention of colorectal cancer in young-onset populations.
- Research that leads to a better understanding of the risk factors and causes associated with the rise in young-onset colorectal cancer thus enabling diagnosis at earlier and more treatable stages with an increased survival rate.
- Research that leads to better treatment mechanisms for those living with young-onset colorectal cancer thus increasing the long-term survival rates for those living with the disease.
- Research that leads to a better understanding of the psychosocial impacts associated with young-onset colorectal cancer and its influence on both short-term and long-term survivorship and daily life.
An eligible proposal must demonstrate substantial potential for impact on prevention/early detection or treatment of young-onset colorectal cancer survivor population.
Three three-year grants in the amount of $300,000 each will be awarded to support the work of the researcher while working on young-onset colorectal cancer research. No more than 25% of the PI’s salary can be allotted to the budget. A partial amount of funds may be designated for non-personnel expenses, such as research/laboratory supplies, equipment, publication charges for manuscripts that pertain directly to the funded project, and other research expenses.
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Who can apply
- Researchers with PhD, MD, MD/PhD or equivalent degrees
- Researchers from US non-profit institutions (including academic and research institutions, hospitals and medical centers) are eligible to apply
- Early career researchers and young investigators at the assistant professor or equivalent level
- Senior researchers who have shifted their area of interest toward colorectal cancer research
- Researchers at any academic level who need seed funding to test an innovative hypothesis
- Researchers from for-profit institutions or government institutions will NOT be considered
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Important information for applicants
The goal of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s research program is to provide funding for innovative projects expected to lead to future funding from other peer-reviewed sources.
- Basic science grants must demonstrate substantial potential for impact on either determining the causes and risk factors associated with an increase in the incidence of young-onset colorectal cancer, identifying better mechanisms for long-term survival of young-onset colorectal cancer or determining prevention and early detection strategies for increasing the survival rates associated with young-onset colorectal cancer.
- Applications that do not have a biographical sketch for all key personnel will not be considered.
- Researchers need not be United States citizens. However, research must be conducted in the United States.
- Researchers who applied in a previous cycle and wish to resubmit their project for reconsideration may do so only one time.
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Policy on tobacco-industry funding and conflicts of interest
Scientific investigators or health professionals who are currently funded by the tobacco industry for any project, or who have been funded by the tobacco industry during the previous four years, or whose named mentors in the case of mentored fellowships are funded by the tobacco industry for any project (currently or during the previous four years) may not apply and will not be eligible for the Colorectal Cancer Alliance research grants. Scientific investigators, health professionals, or named mentors who accept funding from the tobacco industry for any project during the tenure of a Colorectal Cancer Alliance research award must inform the Alliance of such funding, whereupon the Alliance grant will immediately be terminated. Tobacco industry funding includes the receipt of funds from a company that is engaged in or has affiliates engaged in the manufacture of tobacco produced for human use; funds in the name of a tobacco brand, whether or not the brand name is used solely for tobacco products; funds from a body set up by the tobacco industry (e.g., a corporate foundation) or by one or more companies engaged in the manufacture of tobacco products. The following do not constitute tobacco industry funding for the purposes of this policy:
- Legacies from tobacco industry investments (unless the name of a tobacco company or cigarette brand is associated with them)
- Funding from a trust or foundation established with assets related to the tobacco industry but no longer having any connection with the tobacco industry even though it may bear a name that (for historical reasons) is associated with the tobacco industry.
- Funds from the Master Settlement Agreement of November 23, 1998
For purposes of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance grants, tobacco industry funding is defined as money provided or used for all or any of the costs of the research, including personnel, consumables, equipment, buildings, travel, meetings and conferences, and operating costs for laboratories and offices.
Applicants to the grant program must disclose any additional financial relationships that may impact the integrity of science and results.
Application Policies
Award amount
The grant will be awarded for three years for a total of $300,000. The grant will be paid in three installments:
- The first installment of $100,000 to be paid at the inception of the research project.
- The second installment of $100,000 will be paid after satisfactory review of the first annual progress report. An interim progress report, personal statement, and financial statement are due one month prior to the end of year one. The second year of funding is contingent upon a satisfactory year-one progress report. Should the principal investigator not meet the criteria set forth in his/or her application, funding for the second year will NOT be granted.
- The final installment of $100,000 will be paid after the satisfactory review of the second year progress report. An interim progress report, personal statement, and financial statement are due one month prior to the end of year one. The second year of funding is contingent upon a satisfactory year-one progress report. Should the principal investigator not meet the criteria set forth in his/or her application, funding for the second year will NOT be granted.
See POST-AWARD REQUIREMENTS for information about required interim and final progress reports. The goal of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s Chris4Life Research Program is to provide funding for innovative projects expected to lead to future funding from other peer-reviewed sources. Therefore, grants are non-renewable.
Application submission information
We're currently accepting grant applications. Grant selections will be completed in Spring 2020 and awards will be announced in Summer 2020.
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Components |
Purpose |
Page or Character Limit |
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Application Copies |
Applicants must mail a signed hard copy of the application in addition to the submission of the online application |
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Font Size and Type
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Application should be typed in no smaller than 11-point font size in Arial or 12-point size in Times New Roman. Applications with smaller fonts will be disqualified. Applications should be typed in single space. |
N/A |
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Margins |
Margins should be at least .5" on the right and left and top and bottom. Margins that don’t meet this specification will be automatically disqualified. |
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Tables |
Tables should be prepared in black ink. |
N/A |
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Document Header |
The Principal Investigator’s name and project title should be included in a header on the right side of each page. |
N/A |
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Layperson’s Summary |
Explain research proposal in layperson terms/language. State how the work is significant to young-onset colorectal cancer. It should also demonstrate that the researcher has a clear grasp of the project’s significance to young-onset colorectal cancer. |
350 word limit |
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Technical Abstract |
Scientific abstract suitable for a technical audience. |
350 word limit |
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Applicant's and institution information |
Enter contact information for the PI including MyNCBI or OrcId number. Enter the name of the organization’s Business Official responsible for sponsored program administration. Enter the title of the application, 5 programtic key words and 5 application specific key words |
N/A |
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Specific Aims |
Should state the goals, objectives and relevance to young-onset colorectal cancer. |
Attach a file: 1 single-sided page limit |
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Research Plan / Narrative
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Statement of the significance of the proposed project with respect to young-onset colorectal cancer and a statement of the problem or need that will be addressed by the proposed project. Statement of the study design and methodology to be used in achieving the specific aims, including an adequate statistical analysis as well as a plan for how the research will be evaluated. |
Attach a file: 6 page, single-sided limit |
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Bibliography |
List of literature cited |
Attach a file: 3 page, single-sided limit |
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Biographical Sketch
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Principal Investigator and all key personnel require a biosketch in NIH format. |
Attach a file: Up to 5 single-sided pages per person |
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Budget |
Budget should include the name and role of all key personnel associated with the application and all collaborators. Base salary and fringe should be included. Salary request of the PI cannot exceed 25% of total budget. No capital equipment over $500.00 should be included. |
Complete the budget form |
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Budget Justification |
Budget justification for the proposed direct costs for the research project. Indirect costs will not be covered. The plan must address how all funds will be used to cover personnel, supplies, services, and other expenses such as grant-related travel, dissemaination of results. Travel requests should include costs to attend a scientific/technical meeting. If known, include meeting name and location. Estimate the costs of publishing and reporting research results. |
Attach a file: 2 page limit |
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Letters of support |
A letter of support signed by the department chair of the applicant. |
Attach a file |
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Letters of collaborations |
Upload letters of support from collaborators if applicable. |
Attach files. |
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Certification for Human Subjects
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If activities involving human subjects are planned at any time during the proposed project period, you must submit a letter of approval from your Institutional Review Board (IRB). Letters of approval are not required at the time of application. If you receive a notification of award from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, you must verify IRB approval within 90 days after the award notification. If verification of IRB approval is not received within 90 days after the award notification, the application will be considered incomplete and any money awarded will need to be returned. |
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Certification for Vertebrate Animals |
If activities involving vertebrate animals are planned at any time during the proposed project period, you must submit a letter of approval by the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC). Letters of approval are not required at the time of application. If you receive a notification of award from the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, you must verify IACUC approval within 60 days after the award notification. If verification of IACUC approval is not received within 60 days after the award notification, the application will be considered incomplete and any money awarded will need to be returned.
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Colorectal Cancer Alliance Statement of Compliance with Tobacco Policy |
The grant applicant must sign the Colorectal Cancer Alliance Statement of Compliance with Tobacco Policy that he/she (and his/her mentor) does not accept tobacco-industry funding, as outlined in the application information. The application will be considered incomplete if the signed statement is not included with both electronic and hard copy applications. See agreement at the end of the grant application. Please sign and date and return with hard copy application. |
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Application Fee |
The application fee is $75.00, which must be paid with a credit card. You will be asked to make a credit card payment at the end of the electronic application process. This fee is non-refundable. |
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Appendix
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Appendix shall not include any part of the proposal narrative, preliminary data or additional figures. Examples of eligible files include pre-print publications and surveys. |
Attach a file
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Grant review criteria
Grants are evaluated by an independent Scientific Review Panel according to a peer-review process similar to that of the National Institutes of Health. However, the Colorectal Cancer Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, which is supported by the general public.
Proposals not meeting the Alliance's funding guidelines will not be considered by the panel.
Administrative and eligibility review
- All applications are reviewed for their completeness and compliance with the guidelines. Any application incomplete or non-compliant with stated guidelines will be disqualified during the administrative review process.
Scientific review criteria
A criteria score on a scale of 1-10 will be given by the Scientific Review Panel according to the following criteria:
- Significance and Impact to young-onset colorectal cancer
- Clarity of specific aims
- Innovation
- Project design: methodology and feasability
- Competence of Principal Investigator and supporting personnel
- Quality of Institution and Research Environment
- Budget and appropriateness of project size to resources and timeline
A final grade based on a score of 1-10 will be determined by the following:
- Does this project contribute significantly to the field of colorectal cancer?
- Do these results significantly improve the application of knowledge and its impact on young-onset colorectal cancer?
- Will these data stimulate further scientific research into young-onset colorectal cancer?
- Potential for future impact on the field, given the innovative nature of the project.
- If incorporated into public health policy, will this new knowledge make a useful contribution to the above area within the field of colorectal cancer.
- Achievability of the project's specific aims within the two-year time frame. Reviewer comments will be shared with applicants: grades are not shared.
Post-award requirements
All grant recipients must adhere to the following requirements:
Yearly reporting
1) An interim progress report, personal statement, and financial statement are due one month prior to the end of year one and year two. The second and third year of funding are contingent upon satisfactory year-one and year-two progress reports, respectively.
2) A final progress report, personal statement, and cumulative financial report are due no later than two months after the end of year three. The final and cumulative report must include all information through the project end date.
- Progress Report (3-6 pages): Summarize the main focus of your research and clearly state your findings. Specify how the research results met the objectives established in your application. This report should include, but is not limited to, answering the following questions: Did you meet all of the goals you set out to achieve? If not, why not? What is the impact of your research on the current understanding of the rising trends associated with young-onset colorectal cancer? What further research remains to be done? Specify any disseamination of your research in conferences, publications etc.
- Personal Statement (1-3 pages in lay-friendly language) How has the funding provided by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance helped your overall professional growth (e.g., journal submissions, career opportunities, new research focus)? Has this grant led to other funding opportunities? Have you had the opportunity to report your findings at professional meetings?
- Financial Statement Give a breakdown by category (i.e., personnel, supplies, etc.) of how the Alliance’s funds were utilized. This document should be filed by the University’s Office of Research Administration or other comparable source. You may use your institutions’ template for this and must be signed by the designated official in order to have a completed report.
- Publication of Award The awarded grant must be publicized by the recipient institution, either in its own publications (student newspaper, alumni newsletter, institutional magazine, etc.) or in a local newspaper, with attribution to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance. Please forward copies of these news articles to the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s Research Department upon publication. Recipients should also send a reprint of all research published as a result of their Colorectal Cancer Alliance award.
- Peer-Reviewed Publications: All publications, presentations, project materials, etc., must acknowledge the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s support of the project by displaying the statement, “This project is supported by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance.” The recipient must also send a reprint of all research published as a result of his/her Colorectal Cancer Alliance award.
- Authorization Funding of a proposal authorizes the Colorectal Cancer Alliance to use the applicant's name and proposal in soliciting contributions to fund its cancer research and educational programs. The awarded proposals may be featured on the Colorectal Cancer Alliance website, blog, annual report and other publications. Awardees should expect to answer additional questions regarding their work periodically throughout the two-year period to support future funding of the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s cancer research and educational programs.
- Participation in Colorectal Cancer Alliance National Conference: Grant recipients will be required to attend the Colorectal Cancer Alliance’s National Conference to present their funded work and any results associated with the project.
Photo submission and photo release
The recipient must provide a hi-res photo (600 dpi, 1 MB) for use on the Colorectal Cancer Alliance website, blog, and publications. If the recipient does not have a hi-res photo, the recipient must provide contact information for a staff person in the university press office. See acceptance agreement for details. Please sign and return a photo release form along with the signed Acceptance Agreement. The awarded proposals will be featured on the Colorectal Cancer Alliance website, social media accounts, and blog.
No-cost extensions
In the event that a project cannot be completed within the three-year time line granted by the Colorectal Cancer Alliance, a request for one six-month, no-cost extension must be submitted to the Medical Affairs Department at least two months prior to the project end date.
Final payment policy
The Colorectal Cancer Alliance will hold the final payment of all awarded grants and until receipt of the second progress report, personal statement, and cumulative, signed financial statement. If these reports are not received within six months of the project end date (including no-cost extension end date), the Alliance will withdraw the final payment; no payment will be made.
Sunshine Act
Physicians who receive grant funding may be required to sign the Sunshine Act Physician Payment Information Form.