The Foundation Seed Grant program has been extremely successful in providing research support to basic and clinical scientists and investigators in the United States and overseas. To date the foundation has provided $7 million for this program. The goals of the program are:
- To provide start-up funding for basic scientists and clinicians who intend to test innovative ideas for improving diagnosis and to develop new treatment modalities for pancreatic cancer.
- To obtain preliminary data required for additional funding from other agencies for pancreatic cancer research.
- To impact on the understanding of pancreatic cancer cell biology, biochemistry, physiology, morphology and response to therapy.
- To establish collaborations within the field for mutual projects that can be considered for further funding.
Due to the current COVID-19 pandemic, the Hirshberg Foundation Seed Grant program will be postponed until June 2021.
Eligibility and expectations:
- Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) or Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree.
- Academic institutions of the U.S. and their investigators with the intent of developing a strong curriculum in pancreatic cancer research.
- All levels of academic faculty (assistant, associate and full professors).
- Research scientists and research associates with recommendations from their academic faculty supervisor(s).
- Postdoctoral fellows and young investigators after two years of completed training in pancreatic cancer research in any academic or private institution of the U.S.
- The Foundation expects that seed grant awards will generate quality abstracts, papers, presentations, as well as new proposals. The Foundation seeks and supports investigators whose primary intent is to build a strong curriculum in pancreatic cancer research.
Review process, timetable, funding amount & schedule:
- Peer review and priority scores assigned by the Seed Grant Advisory Board of the Foundation.
- Internal and external reviewers are recruited by the Foundation, however recommendations for or exclusions of potential reviewers by the applicant are also considered.
- Successful application starting date is November 15th of the same calendar year.
- Funding is provided on a year-to-year basis in the amount of up to $40,000. Programs can be extended for one more year upon a competitive renewal/ progress report, which is evaluated by the Advisory Board. (No indirect costs will be paid)
- Each applicant is obliged to submit a 3 page progress report by July 15th of the following year, regardless of future funding from the Foundation.
- Progress reports must include abstracts, papers, presentations and grant proposals (in preparation, completed or already submitted to other funding agencies) as the result of the seed grant fund from the Foundation, due July 15th, the following year.
Format:
- Each proposal must include: Specific Aims, a short Background and a Research Plan
- Preliminary data, if available, are optional
- The Research Plan is limited to 6,000 words omitting the administrative pages, abstracts and literature cited. Should you need additional space, please use your best judgement when submitting your proposal.
- Proposals must be written in English. Proposals must include both a public information abstract and a scientific abstract, not to exceed 250 words each.
- For animal or human cell culture studies obtaining IRB approval is the responsibility of the applicant.
- Established publication track record in pancreatic cancer and previous funding are desirable but not required for consideration.
It is not necessary to submit a hard copy of your application. When your application is received you will receive an onscreen confirmation. Official signatures are obligatory in the electronic forms, with all contacts (Applicant, Department Chair and Grants Officer). Grant proposals are delivered to reviewers electronically with the necessary evaluation forms attached by the Foundation.
To date, the seed grant program has funded in the following areas:
