The V Foundation-AACR Grants in Translational Cancer Research support the development of novel approaches to the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Translational research is a two-way bridge that conveys new ideas and discoveries between the laboratory and the clinic. In this manner, advances in such areas as molecular genetics, regulatory proteins and cellular signaling can be applied to new diagnostic technologies, targeted treatments and prevention strategies to help the cancer patient.
Grant winners will be announced in September 2004, with funding to begin in October.
"These grants will make a significant contribution toward the prevention and cure of cancer by bringing together talented basic and clinical scientists throughout the United States," said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), Chief Executive Officer of the AACR, the world's oldest and largest scientific organization dedicated to cancer and cancer-related biomedical research. AACR provides a vital link between translational scientists and clinicians, and fosters important connections between these two research groups.
"This unique collaboration between AACR and The V Foundation will benefit cancer patients around the world," added Dr. Foti. "These new grants represent an exciting new opportunity to capitalize on our advances in basic cancer research and translate them into a benefit for cancer patients."
In welcoming this new partnership, Nick Valvano, Chief Executive Officer of The V Foundation said, "We are excited and honored to form this alliance. Since 1993, one of our goals has been to fund the best and brightest research scientists. This collaboration ensures that we will be able to continue to achieve that goal."
These grants will be awarded to National Cancer Institute (NCI)-designated cancer centers, prominent universities, and freestanding research institutions, on behalf of their research teams. Proposals that hold outstanding promise for translating basic cancer findings into a new preventive strategy or therapeutic application for cancer, including improved survival and/or quality of life, will be selected for the grants.
Recipient institutions will receive grants of $300,000 over three years, to be matched by the institutions from all available sources, creating a total project commitment of $600,000 for each award. A project team must have a minimum of two scientists from the same facility and the team must possess basic and clinical research expertise.
"Today, we are celebrating an extraordinary partnership between two organizations with complementary strengths but a common dedication to curing cancer," said AACR President-Elect Lynn M. Matrisian, Ph.D., Ingram Professor of Cancer Research and Chair, Department of Cancer Biology, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, Tenn. "In tackling the difficult process of translating basic laboratory findings into new cancer therapies, we hope to accelerate progress against this disease."
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is a professional society of over 22,000 laboratory and clinical scientists engaged in basic, translational, and clinical cancer research in the United States and over 60 other countries. The AACR's mission is to accelerate the prevention and cure of cancer through research, education, communication, and advocacy. Its principal activities include the publication of five major peer-reviewed scientific journals (Cancer Research; Clinical Cancer Research; Molecular Cancer Therapeutics; Molecular Cancer Research; and Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention). The AACR's Annual Meeting attracts more than 15,000 participants who share new and significant discoveries in the cancer field, and the AACR's specialty meetings throughout the year focus on all the important areas of basic, translational, and clinical cancer research.
The V Foundation for Cancer Research is a charitable organization dedicated to saving lives by funding essential cancer research. The Foundation seeks to make a difference by generating broad-based support for cancer research and by creating an urgent awareness among all Americans of the importance of the war against cancer. The V Foundation performs these dual roles through advocacy, education, fundraising, and philanthropy. The Foundation was created by ESPN and Jim Valvano, former North Carolina State University basketball coach and broadcaster, who succumbed to cancer at age 47. . In the 10 years following Valvano's death, The Foundation has raised more than $32 million and awarded more than 191 research grants. The Foundation operates efficiently, with 85 cents of every dollar raised designated directly to research. For additional information on The V Foundation for Cancer Research log on to http://www.jimmyv.org or call 1-800-4-JimmyV.