2020-2021 Four Diamonds Pilot Projects in Collaborative Pediatric Cancer Research Grant

Sponsor Name: 
Four Diamonds Fund
Description of the Award: 

The mission of Four Diamonds is to provide superior care and comprehensive support for pediatric cancer patients and to support innovative research in pediatric oncology. For many years, the Four Diamonds research mission has been advanced through the laboratories of Four Diamonds pediatric cancer investigators who have primary appointments in Pediatric Hematology/Oncology.

This announcement invites applications from Penn State investigators who are not currently funded by Four Diamonds. Applications are required to have a scientific collaboration with a cancer researcher in the Department of Pediatrics to pursue pilot projects in important and promising areas of pediatric cancer research. The pilot projects supported under this initiative will facilitate the development of substantial collaborative interactions between Penn State pediatric cancer researchers to further the mission of Four Diamonds.

ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA:

1. Pilot Projects for Collaborative Pediatric Cancer Research may focus in any area of cancer research with relevance and applicability to pediatric oncology.

2. The Principal Investigator (Pl) must have his or her primary academic appointment at Penn State at the rank of Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor. Junior investigators with promising preliminary data are encouraged to apply.

3. The Pl cannot be a Four Diamonds Endowed Investigator or receive other support from Four Diamonds and the application must include as a Collaborator one of the investigators listed below:

  • Lisa McGregor, MD, PhD
  • Barbara Miller, MD
  • Sinisa Dovat, MD, PhD
  • Suming Huang, PhD
  • Vladimir Spiegelman, MD, PhD
  • H.G. Wang, PhD
  • Wei Li, PhD
  • Valerie Brown, MD, PhD
  • Chandrika Gowda, MD
  • George Blackall, PsyD
  • Smita Dandekar, MD
  • Andrew Freiberg, MD
  • Robert Greiner, MD
  • John Neely, MD
  • Pooja Rao, MD
  • Gayle Smink, MD
  • Elizabeth Finch, MD
  • Daniel McKeone, MD
  • Nidhi Shah, MD

4. PIs may submit only one application; however, there is no limit on the number of applications that an investigator listed above may contribute to as a Collaborator.

5. A track record of research relevant to pediatric oncology is preferred.

6. Applicants who have previously been funded by Four Diamonds are expected to have a publication record resulting from the initial funding period, advancing either fundamental understanding of pediatric oncology or a novel diagnostic or therapeutic approach to pediatric cancer. Successful application for external funding is desirable.

7. Applicants may only hold one Four Diamonds Grant at a time. Applicants who were previously funded can submit a new application but this must be on a new area of research.

Sponsor Final Deadline: 
Jan 29, 2020
OSVPR Application or NOI Instructions: 

* indicates required

To be considered as a Penn State institutional nominee, please submit a notice of intent by the date provided directly below.
OSVPR Downselect Deadline: 
Wednesday, January 29, 2020 - 12:00pm