Developmental Research Program

PROJECT SUMMARY– DEVELOPMENTAL RESEARCH PROGRAM (DRP) The objective of the SPORE Developmental Research Program (DRP) is to identify and support exciting prostate cancer research and ensure a continuous renewal of high-quality scientific endeavors within the SPORE. The program will recruit diverse disciplines and backgrounds to bring fresh ideas and new

approaches to prostate cancer. The DRP will also create opportunities that support the recruitment and retention of women and underrepresented racial and ethnic groups in the field. Applications will be solicited broadly and reviewed fairly by a highly qualified and engaged committee. DRP recipients will become part of

the SPORE community with exposure, feedback, and access to core resources. Progress will be monitored, and recipients will be helped and encouraged to apply for other funding opportunities. Overall, the DRP will maximize the chance that new and cutting-edge concepts supported by promising pilot data have the

capability to receive larger grant funding and ultimately impact the field. This will be achieved through the following specific aims: 1) Foster the development of innovative and promising prostate cancer research by providing seed funding to the highest rated projects solicited from RFAs; 2) Identify and prioritize

solicitations focused on areas of with the potential to have the highest impact of improving the outcome of patients with prostate cancer, with a specific focus on underrepresented racial and ethnic groups; 3) Monitor the progress of developmental projects, provide critical and timely feedback, and encourage and enable

promising DRP projects to compete for extramural peer- reviewed funding. When necessary and promising, promote the most meritorious DRP projects to full SPORE research projects; 4) Bring new investigators into prostate cancer translational research with specific efforts to recruit females and investigators from under-

represented racial and ethnic groups.