US Dept of Defense – Melanoma Research Program

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US Dept of Defense – Melanoma Research Program

June 21, 2022

Idea Award – W81XWH-22-MRP-IA – up to USD$500,000 over 3 years – Pre-applications close 8 July 2022 – supports new ideas that represent innovative, high-risk/high-gain approaches to melanoma research that are beyond an incremental advancement. Emphasis on innovation & impact. Must address at least one Focus Area.
Melanoma Academy Scholar Award – W81XWH-22-MRP-MASA – up to USD$550,000 over 3 years – Pre-applications close 14 September 2022 – must be within 7 years of PhD award – supports the addition of new Scholars to the unique, interactive virtual academy that provides intensive mentoring, national networking, collaborations, and a peer group for early-career melanoma investigators/faculty – A Career Guide who is an experienced melanoma researcher with melanoma cancer funding is required (Career Guide does not have to be at the same institution) – Must address at least one Focus Area.
Mid-Career Accelerator Award – W81XWH-22-MRP-MCAA – up to USD$725,000 over 3 years – Pre-applications due 14 September 2022 – Assistant or Associate Professors at least 7 years post first faculty appointment – supports mid-career researchers to conduct impactful melanoma research – must show evidence of at least one peer-reviewed external funding award – preliminary data relevant to melanoma required – must address at least one Focus Area
Team Science Award – W81XWH-22-MRP-TSA – up to USD41M over 3 years – Pre-applications due 14 September 2022 – At least 2, up to 3 investigators partnering in one overarching multi-disciplinary research study – Assistant Professor and above – new or existing partnerships – emphasis on synergy, multi-disciplinary research and impact – particularly keen on studies involving correlation associated with clinical trials; analysis of large/complex melanoma datasets; bioengineering approaches to address diagnostics, high risk markers, dormancy, metastasis – must address at least one focus area
Focused Program Award – Rare Melanoma – W81XWH-22-MRP-FPA – up to USD$2M over 4 years – Pre-application due 14 September 2022 – Applications may propose research across the entire spectrum (biology, etiology, prevention, diagnosis and detection, prognosis, treatment, and quality of life) and must address a critical unmet need relevant to rare melanomas (uveal, acral, mucosal, pediatric, etc.). – Supports a synergistic, multidisciplinary research program of at least two, but not more than three, distinct but complementary projects addressing an overarching question relevant to rare melanomas.

2022 MRP Focus Areas
Research across the entire spectrum (biology, etiology, prevention, diagnosis and detection, prognosis, treatment, and quality of life) for rare melanomas (eg uveal, acral, mucosal, pediatric) in patients and model organisms.
Identify and understand risk factor determinants for melanoma, including rare subtypes.
Develop prediction and surveillance tools for distinguishing patient populations at risk for second primary/recurrence and/or metastasis.
Understand how precursor lesions and environmental/endogenous factors influence melanomagenesis, including (but not limited to) race, sex as a biological variable, etc.
Develop new tools for the detection and diagnosis of melanoma, which includes easily accessible technology (beyond the dermoscope) for primary care physicians and dermatologists.
Identify how the tumor microenvironment (e.g., stromal, immune, microbiome) impacts tumor initiation, response to therapy, progression, recurrence, and/or dormancy.
Delineate the molecular pathways that influence metastatic spread, recurrence, and/or dormancy.