Cancer Treatment Research

To develop the means to cure as many cancer patients as possible and to control the disease in those patients who are not cured. Cancer Treatment Research includes the development and evaluation of improved methods of cancer treatment through the support and performance of both fundamental and applied laboratory and clinical research. Research is supported in the discovery, development, and clinical testing of all modes of therapy including: surgery, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and biological therapy including molecularly targeted therapies, both individually and in combination. In addition, research is carried out in areas of nutritional support, stem cell and bone marrow transplantation, image guided therapies and studies to reduce toxicity of cytotoxic therapies, and other methods of supportive care that may supplement and enhance primary treatment. Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: To expand and improve the SBIR program; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to increase small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: To stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research and development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

The awardee will be a university, college, hospital, public agency, nonprofit research institution, or for-profit organization that submits an application and receives a grant or cooperative agreement for support of research by a named principal investigator. SBIR grants can be awarded only to domestic small businesses (entities that are independently owned, and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees). Primary employment (more than one-half time) of the principal investigator must be with the small business at the time of award and during the conduct of the proposed project. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council. STTR grants can be awarded only to domestic small business concerns (entities that are independently owned and operated for profit, are not dominant in the field in which research is proposed and have no more than 500 employees) which "partner" with a research institution in cooperative research and development. At least 40 percent of the project is to be performed by the small business concern and at least 30 percent by the research institution. In both Phase I and Phase II, the research must be performed in the U.S. and its possessions. To be eligible for funding, a grant application must be approved for scientific merit and program relevance by a scientific review group and a national advisory council.

Grant applications are evaluated by scientific authorities for scientific and technical merit. Applications must also be reviewed by the National Cancer Advisory Board. All competitive applications compete for available funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit, program relevance, and program balance, consistent with NCI and NIH priorities and strategic plans. Initial award provides funds for the first budget period (usually 12 months) and Notice of Grant Award (Form PHS 1533-2) indicates support recommended for the remainder of the project period, allocation of Federal funds by budget categories, and special conditions, if any. All accepted SBIR/STTR applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit by an appropriate scientific peer review panel and if they are recommended for further consideration, by a national advisory council or board. All applications receiving a priority score compete for available SBIR/STTR set-aside funds on the basis of scientific and technical merit and commercial potential of the proposed research, program relevance, and program balance among the areas of research.

Approximately 10 months. SBIR Applications: About 7-1/2 months.