The Developmental Research Program (DRP) is designed to provide funding to initiate promisingtranslational studies with a focus on brain tumors. High priority will be given to projects that will generateclinically-relevant hypotheses aimed at reducing the morbidity or mortality of brain tumors or improving thequality of life of patients with brain tumors. At least annually, proposals for innovative translational braintumor research will be solicited throughout all institutions in the Texas Medical Center. It is anticipated thatsome applicants will be without extensive experience in preparing successful research proposals;therefore, the DRP Co-Directors will help investigators formulate specific aims and research plans that aretranslational in nature, with realistic and appropriate budgets. Thus, in addition to developing promisingresearch projects for the SPORE program, the DRP will also be a major educational activity that will furtherenhance the initiation and development of innovative translational research concepts in brain cancer.The SPORE Executive Committee will screen proposals for appropriate SPORE qualifications usingobjective criteria. The selected proposals will then undergo scientific review and prioritization by membersof the SPORE External Advisory Board; final selection of the research projects to be funded will be madeon the basis of these reviews. A two-year funding period will be allowed, with allocation of funds for thesecond year to be made after satisfactory review of a written progress report from the awardee. Additionalfunding may be granted, if it is felt that an additional year of work will lead to independent peer-reviewedfunding and/or lead to significant enhancement in diagnosis or treatment of brain tumors; requests for thisadditional funding will be very carefully reviewed by the SPORE Executive Committee and ExternalAdvisory Board. As part of our continuing efforts to expand brain tumor research at The University of TexasM. D. Anderson Cancer Center and in anticipation of this SPORE application, developmental researchprojects were solicited; the four projects considered to be of highest potential and consistent with thetranslational focus of the SPORE are included here and represent those that will be considered for fundingto begin in Year 1 of the SPORE program. These projects illustrate the breadth and depth of interest inbrain tumor translational research at our institution.
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