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1 Updated January 16, 2015

2 OUR VISION We want to live in a world where no one develops a preventable cancer. OUR HERITAGE The American Institute for Cancer Research champions the latest and most authoritative scientific research from around the world on cancer prevention and survival through diet, weight and physical activity, so that we can help people make informed lifestyle choices to reduce their cancer risk. OUR MISSION AICR is a member of the World Cancer Research Fund network of cancer charities with a global reach, dedicated to the prevention of cancer through diet, weight and physical activity. For additional information please contact: American Institute for Cancer Research 1759 R St. NW Washington, DC Phone: Fax: research@aicr.org Web:

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT AICR and WCRF GLOBAL NETWORK RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAMS AICR Grant Program and Types of Grants AICR General Research Principles Exposures and Outcomes of Interest AICR Research Themes AICR Grant Application Timeline and Deadlines INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS Eligibility Types of Applications Grant Budgets Grant Application Review Process APPLICATION PROCEDURES: GUIDANCE FOR COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORMS Letter of Intent First Stage of Application Process Full Application Second Stage of Application Process Full Application Proposal Attachments PROCEDURES FOR FUNDED GRANTS: TERMS AND CONDITIONS Getting Started Changes to the Grant Monitoring of Grants Dissemination Intellectual Property and Patents AICR/WCRF EXPERT REPORTS... 19

4 1. INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION The American Institute for Cancer Research Grant Program is dedicated to funding research on cancer prevention, treatment and survival through food, nutrition, physical activity and weight management (body fatness). This publication provides the key information you need to apply for funding from the AICR Grant Program. Grant applications must adhere to AICR s general research principles and be clearly related to at least one of AICR s research themes (see sections 3.2 and 3.3). Preference will be given to applications that have direct relevance to human cancer. Grant application deadlines: AICR uses proposalcentral for online submission of grant applications. There are two stages to the application process: (1) Letters of Intent and (2) Full Applications. Letters of Intent are required from all applicants and must be submitted by January 26, AICR applications may be revised one time. If a Full Application for a new Investigator-Initiated Grant was submitted in the 2014 grant cycle but the project was not funded, the Principal Investigator may submit a Letter of Intent to revise the application in the 2015 grant cycle. Not all revised projects will progress to the Full Application stage. Letters of Intent will be evaluated by AICR and Grant Panel members and a limited number of applicants will be invited to submit Full Applications. Invitations to submit Full Applications will be issued by AICR by March 16, No feedback is provided to the applicant at the Letter of Intent stage. Full Applications must be submitted by May 11, Types of grants awarded by AICR: Investigator-Initiated Grants. These awards are generally made for a two-year term for a maximum of $150,000 plus 10% indirect costs. A limited number of special Investigator-Initiated Grants will also be made for a three-year term and a maximum of $225,000 plus 10% indirect costs. These three-year grants will be awarded to support the start-up of epidemiologic or intervention studies that require additional time. See section 3.1 for more information. Matching Grants. These grants follow the same eligibility requirements as Investigator-Initiated Grants. AICR is interested in working with for-profit corporations and/or non-profit organizations in funding cancer research consistent with AICR s areas of interest. Please note: Applications for Postdoctoral Awards are not being accepted during this application period. Eligibility to apply for an AICR grant: Principal Investigators must have a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree, and be a research staff or faculty member at a non-profit academic or research institution at the level of an assistant professor (or its equivalent) or higher. Applications for the AICR Grant Program will be accepted only from the Americas (North America including the United States and Canada, Central America, the Caribbean and South America). Applications from anywhere else in the world will be accepted and administered by the WCRF International Grant Program ( 1

5 2. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT AICR and the WCRF global network are united in their mission to eradicate preventable cancer through diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity. This research grant program is an important element of how we fulfill that mission. The scope, focus and content of the program are informed by independent expert advice. The 2007 AICR/WCRF Second Expert Report Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity, and the Prevention of Cancer: a Global Perspective identified research directions to build on current knowledge in the area of food, nutrition, physical activity, body fatness and cancer. Those research directions were devised to increase understanding of the cancer process, from initiation to metastasis. They are often interdisciplinary and address issues that could help translate research into action to prevent cancer. They provide the basis for the research principles and themes for the AICR Grant Program, outlined in section 3. Building on the Second Expert Report, the WCRF International Continuous Update Project (CUP) is an on-going program to review the evidence on how diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity affect cancer risk and survival. The scientific findings from the CUP add to those from the Second Expert Report, and in turn help shape the grant program, the principles that underpin it and the themes that it comprises. Other research of particular interest to AICR and the WCRF network has also fed into the updated research themes. Visit the AICR website for more information on the Continuous Update Project reports and the Second Expert Report: 2

6 3. AICR and WCRF GLOBAL NETWORK RESEARCH GRANT PROGRAMS The WCRF global network operates two research grant programs that provide similar funding opportunities in different regions of the world: AICR Research Grant Program based in Washington, DC, USA WCRF International Research Grant Program based in London, UK Applications for the AICR Research Grant Program will be accepted from anywhere in the Americas (North America, including the United States and Canada, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America). Applications from anywhere else in the world will be accepted and administered by the WCRF International Grant Program. AICR Research Grant Program AICR manages and administers the AICR Research Grant Program. AICR Grant Panel members review and recommend applications for funding, which are then presented to the AICR Board of Directors. The Board of Directors approves the grants for funding. Instructions for AICR s Research Grant Program are contained in this Grant Application Package and are available online at WCRF International Research Grant Program WCRF International manages and administers the Research Grant Program on behalf of the WCRF national members (WCRF UK, WCRF NL, and WCRF HK). Details of the WCRF International Research Grant Program can be found online ( Alternatively the WCRF grant application package can be obtained either by mail (22 Bedford Square, London WC1B 3HH) or by (research@wcrf.org). 3.1 AICR Grant Program and Types of Grants AICR offers two types of research grants: Investigator-Initiated Grants Matching Grants Please note: Applications for Postdoctoral Awards are not being accepted during this application period. Investigator-Initiated Grants (IIGs) are awarded to researchers at non-profit universities, hospitals or research centers. These grants are generally for a maximum of $150,000 for up to two years, plus 10% indirect costs, with a limit of $75,000 direct costs in any one year. A limited number of IIGs will be awarded for up to three years for a maximum of $225,000, plus 10% in indirect costs, with a limit of $75,000 direct costs in any one year. These three-year grants will be awarded to support the start-up of epidemiologic or intervention studies that require additional time. Matching Grants follow the same eligibility requirements as Investigator-Initiated Grants. AICR is interested in working with for-profit corporations and/or non-profit organizations in funding cancer research consistent with AICR s areas of interest. AICR usually provides up to $75,000 as its part of the funding arrangement. Applications are evaluated by a peer review process and are held to the same high and rigorous standards as all other AICR-funded grants. Special grants may be awarded from time to time at AICR s discretion for specific research projects of particular relevance to AICR and WCRF global network priorities. 3.2 AICR General Research Principles Exposures and Outcomes of Interest The following research principles are criteria for successful applications. Please note that applications that do not meet the research principles will not be put forward for review. 3

7 Novelty Applicants need to demonstrate they will carry out novel and original research. Applications that propose a novel research question from careful interpretation of existing data, and/or propose an innovative approach to an existing research question, will be prioritized: the aim is to test new or innovative ideas. Please note that applicants must still consider the plausibility and feasibility of their proposed study, and justify it in terms of the overall body of scientific evidence, including the findings from the Continuous Update Project and the Second Expert Report. Impact To have impact, funded research must contribute to a better understanding of the role of diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity in cancer. Ultimately it should make a difference to people s lives. The outcome of the research must, in some way, contribute toward helping people reduce their risk of developing cancer, and/or improve the outcomes of cancer survivors. Applicants need to demonstrate they have considered the potential impact of their research in relation to all or some of the following spheres, as appropriate: Direct effect and/or potential for translation into clinical practice Usefulness to other researchers in the field Outreach to the general public and/or patients Influence on public health, including, when relevant, in policy settings Relevant exposures Relevant exposures encompass both confirmed and possible cancer risk factors related to diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity. The rationale for the chosen exposure needs to be sufficiently justified in the application. Exposures must be well defined and could include: Diet, dietary patterns, other diet related behaviors and, provided that they are part of the usual diet, food, food components and dietary supplements. Markers of nutrition status, including physiological or metabolic markers, body composition and measures of growth, development and maturation. Physical activity, physical fitness, time spent being sedentary, metabolic or other markers related to 4 physical activity and physical activity related behaviors. In this document the above exposures are referred to as relevant exposures. Please note that proposals focusing on the role of isolated extracts that are not part of the usual diet will not be accepted. Exposures must be relevant to usual human exposures. For mechanistic research, exposures should be in the biochemical form that would normally be encountered by the cell in vivo and at a level that could reasonably be achieved in humans. Exposures in animal research need to be justified in terms of their relevance to exposure in humans. Extreme or unusual exposures, in dose or method of administration, will not be considered. Cancer-related outcomes Outcomes should be well defined. Relevant outcomes include specific cancer endpoints as well as accepted intermediate or surrogate markers of cancer risk, including mammographic density, colorectal adenomas, leukoplakia, inflammation or hormone levels. Applications that aim to identify new intermediate or surrogate endpoints will also be considered. Applicants must justify in their proposal why a particular intermediate or surrogate marker of cancer was chosen. In this document the definition of cancer includes the whole cancer process, both before and after diagnosis, from initiation to progression, metastasis and cancer mortality. Factors such as adiposity and behavioral change will not be considered appropriate outcomes, but they could be appropriate exposures. An exception is made for cancer survivors: for appropriate outcomes for cancer survivors research see the research theme regarding cancer survivors in section 3.3. Relevance to human cancer Studies must be justified in terms of their direct relevance to human cancer. Experimental designs outside in vivo human settings, such as the use of cell lines or animal models, will be considered for relevant studies that examine mechanistic pathways of the cancer process. The relevance to humans and to human cancer of the

8 proposed cell or animal model will need to be clearly explained in the application. For animal studies the choice of an animal model, including species and any genetic modification, should be justified in terms of its relevance to human cancer. Please note that chemically induced tumor models in animals and in vivo studies outside mammalian systems will not be accepted. Appropriate study design The study design must be appropriate and able to answer the research question. Sufficient detail on the proposed study design must be provided, and any statistical methods must be described, with power calculations provided. Studies that will be considered include, but are not limited to (1) human epidemiologic, clinical or metabolic studies; (2) studies that use human biological samples (e.g., blood, tissue, urine); (3) in vivo or in vitro studies. An interdisciplinary approach to the research is encouraged. Experimental models need to be relevant to epidemiological and clinical observations, and epidemiological and clinical study designs need to take into account evidence from basic science. Applicants must demonstrate they have secured the appropriate expertise across all relevant disciplines in their research team (i.e., through consulting, collaborating and/or staffing provision) both in the design of the study and to carry out the research. When feasible, applicants should optimize resources through appropriate collaborations, for example, the addition of a nutrition or physical activity component to an existing or planned study. Please note that applications that solely propose the validation of food frequency questionnaires and other research tools, or the development of new methodologies, including new statistical models, will not be accepted. This type of research could be acceptable as part of a larger proposal, provided its need is scientifically justified. Process evaluation studies will not be accepted. Case-control study designs not nested in a cohort study will not normally be accepted, unless their need is explicitly and strongly justified. 3.3 AICR Research Themes An application to AICR must fall into one or more of the research themes listed here. These themes have been derived from the research directions and knowledge gaps identified by the Second Expert Report and the Continuous Update Project reports (see section 2), as well as from emerging areas of research of particular interest to AICR and the WCRF network. Please note that any application, in addition to falling into one or more of the following research themes, must adhere to all the research principles, as described in section Address emerging exposure-outcome links relating diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity to cancer This theme encourages the exploration of relevant exposures with under-researched cancers, or cancers not previously associated with those exposures; please note that a valid rationale will be expected. For example, links flagged as limited suggestive or noted from narrative reviews in the Continuous Update Project reports and/or the Second Expert Report might merit more investigation. Examples are those between red and/or processed meat and esophageal, lung, stomach and pancreatic cancers; physical activity and lung and breast cancers; sedentary habits and endometrial cancer; diet and body composition and thyroid cancer; and food, alcohol and body composition and hematological cancers. Please note that we welcome the use of validated new methodologies to identify emerging links between diet, nutrition (including body composition), physical activity and cancer. Additional examples that illustrate the scope of this theme are: Studies that explore the relationship between cancer and other chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes, in the context of diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity. Studies that explore the links between diet, nutrition (including body composition), physical activity and cancer in relation to the genetic and molecular profiles of tumors. 5

9 Studies that explore the possible role of diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity on the tumor microenvironment and the metastatic process. Studies that aim to explore novel epidemiological findings in a larger cohort. Studies that aim to translate mechanistic findings to a human setting. 2. Improve the characterization of existing exposureoutcome links relating diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity to cancer This theme encourages studies that better characterize known links between relevant exposures and cancer. Please note that we welcome the use of validated new methodologies to help better characterize existing links between diet, nutrition (including body composition), physical activity and cancer. The following examples are not exhaustive but illustrate the scope of this theme: Studies that estimate the effect of physical activity and sedentary behavior independently of body composition, and clarify the volume (amount, frequency, intensity) and type of physical activity required to reduce cancer risk. Studies that aim to develop biomarkers of intermediaries between adiposity or physical activity and cancer. Studies that better characterize types of processing in meat and carbohydrate-related exposures in relation to cancer. Studies that explore how changes in exposures, such as changes in body composition, dietary modifications or physical activity, relate to cancer outcome or to recognized surrogate or intermediate markers of cancer. Interactions between foods and nutrients in relation to cancer. Studies that explore epigenetic alterations in relation to cancer. Studies that help better characterize and interpret measures of growth, development and maturation in relation to cancer. Studies that aim to develop a more integrated approach to overall patterns of diet and physical 6 activity, such as studies that explore the impact of adhering to the AICR Recommendations for Cancer Prevention. The application of new techniques and methodologies to aid the characterization of whole diets and patterns of diet and physical activity that might be associated with a protective profile. For example the use of metabolomics to identify metabolic profiles that might link certain dietary patterns with cancer. Studies that explore established exposure-outcome links in new populations whether ethnically, geographically or culturally different. For example, studies that explore variability in susceptibility to alcohol or response to soy products among different populations, and any subsequent impact on cancer. A better understanding of the impact of relevant exposures on the immune and endocrine systems in the context of cancer. For example, studies that explore the impact of diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity on inflammation or on persistence of viral infection within the context of cancer. 3. Identify and characterize host factors/susceptibility that might explain variation in cancer risk or progression in response to diet, nutrition (including body composition) or physical activity The role of diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity on an individual s risk of developing cancer is likely to be modulated by host factors. These include fixed factors such as age, ethnicity, genetic variation and gender differences, and potentially modifiable ones such as hormonal, metabolic and epigenetic influences. Better characterization of the variability in an individual s response to relevant exposures, as well as a better understanding of what underpins that variability, would permit a more stratified approach to preventive or management strategies. A better understanding of nutritional factors that might modify an individual s response to other exposures, and if so, how, is also important.

10 The following examples are not exhaustive but illustrate the scope of this theme: Studies that help identify genetic and epigenetic variations that modify susceptibility to, or clinical course of, cancer, or might contribute to prognostic scoring, in relation to diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity. Studies that address how exposures at critical periods during the life course, particularly in fetal life, early childhood or adolescence, affect susceptibility to, or the process of, cancer. Studies that explore how the impact of exposures on cancer might vary through the life course. Studies that investigate specific exposures that influence growth, development and maturation (e.g., adrenarche, menarche), and that identify epigenetic or other biomarkers that predict or impact on later disease susceptibility. Increased height and greater birth weight are linked to higher risk of some cancers, yet they are also associated with lower rates of cardiometabolic diseases and other conditions; therefore there is a need to characterize optimal growth trajectories that take account both of cardiometabolic and cancer risks. Characterization of dose response (including possible threshold or plateau effects) in relation to body composition, energy intake, expenditure and balance, sedentary habits and related exposures over the life course, and their interactions and related mechanisms. Studies that explore how diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity interact with the human microbiome, and how this in turn might relate to cancer. Also, studies exploring how the microbiome response to diet or dietary change varies between people, in relation to cancer. 4. Identify and characterize progression and outcome in cancer survivors in relation to diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity The AICR/WCRF Second Expert Report and the Continuous Update Project have identified a relative lack of good quality evidence in the area of cancer survivors; therefore AICR particularly welcomes proposals in this area. Cancer survivors include anybody who has received a cancer diagnosis. To accommodate the clinical complexities of research on cancer survivors, AICR allows a wider range of outcomes for this research theme. For cancer survivors, relevant outcomes may include: Survival Tumor recurrence Quality of life Behavioral change Development of second primary cancers Metastasis Effectiveness or toxicity of treatment Please note that the exposure must remain related to diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity, as described in section 3.2. The feasibility of proposed interventions is particularly relevant in cancer survivors research, so must be clearly justified in the application. Both intervention and observational studies are acceptable, but exposures, outcomes and possible confounders (when appropriate) need to be well characterized. The following examples are not exhaustive but illustrate the scope of this theme: The extent to which cancer survivors are similar to, or different from, people without diagnosed cancer, in terms of the extent to which their cancer is sensitive to changes in diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity. Exploration of genetic or epigenetic differences between cancer survivors (or their tumors) in relation to the impact of diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity on outcomes, and identification of which cancer survivors are more likely to respond to interventions based on those exposures. The addition of a nutrition or physical activity component to an existing or planned study on cancer survivors. A better understanding of the nutritional, physical activity and anthropometric trajectories of cancer survivors from before diagnosis to after treatment in relation to cancer outcomes in routine clinical practice. Studies should characterize the timing of events in relation to diagnosis, treatment and progression. 7

11 The development of risk prediction for prognosis scoring in relation to diet, nutrition (including body composition) and physical activity. The impact on cancer outcomes of interventions aimed at changing physical activity or body composition in cancer survivors. Understanding the role of relevant exposures and related pathways in cancer metastasis. 5. Identify mechanisms that underpin links between diet, nutrition (including body composition), physical activity and cancer This theme encourages research that explores mechanisms that help identify possible causal associations between relevant exposures and cancer development or progression. Research in this area is especially likely to benefit from interdisciplinary work and the use of newer technologies, such as genomics, epigenomics and metabolomics. The following examples are not exhaustive but illustrate the scope of this theme: Studies that integrate clinical and epidemiological research with advances in molecular genotyping and phenotyping. Studies that aim to identify and characterize biological mechanisms behind genetic and/or epigenetic profiles associated with diet, nutrition (including body composition), physical activity and cancer. Studies that explore the mechanisms linked to specific hallmarks of cancer ; please note these types of application must propose an exposure relevant to diet, nutrition (including body composition) or physical activity. Studies that explore disordered regulation of metabolism at the whole body, tissue or cellular level including cellular energetics and its control. Studies that explore the role of nutrition, including body composition and physical activity, on the interactions between tumor cells, the tumor environment and the host. Studies that aim to identify or better understand the mechanisms behind known exposure-outcome links, including experimental human studies and basic laboratory research. Studies that explore the roles and interactions of specific nutritional factors on cancer development or progression. Studies that explore the biological mechanisms that might explain observed associations between meat processing, and between carbohydrate-related exposures, and cancer. Studies that explore mechanisms behind the interaction of the microbiome with diet and with the host in relation to cancer outcomes. Evidence from small and short-term trials suggests that proposed biological mediators are favorably affected by weight loss or activity interventions, but longer-term studies in cancer patients are needed to understand mechanisms and substantiate recommendations for cancer patients. Studies that explore the mechanisms underpinning established nutrition or physical activity related links between cancer and other chronic diseases and conditions, such as diabetes. Please Note: All applicants must adhere to the general research principles (section 3.2) and may address one or more of the specific research themes (section 3.3). AICR uses an online submission and grants management system (proposalcentral) with a two-stage application process. Letters of Intent are required from all applicants. 8

12 3.4 AICR Grant Application Timeline and Deadlines 2015 January 26, 2015 Deadline for Letters of Intent to be submitted Please note: ALL applicants must submit a Letter of Intent March 16, 2015 Invitation from AICR for online Full Applications May 11, 2015 Deadline for Full Applications to be submitted July/August 2015 Grant Panel meeting: review applications and prioritize grants on scientific merit September 2015 Approval of grants for funding by the AICR Board of Directors October 1, 2015 Applicants notified of funding decisions January 2016 Funding begins 9

13 4. INSTRUCTIONS FOR APPLICANTS 4.1 Eligibility Research Grants are awarded to non-profit institutions (universities, medical schools, research institutes, etc.). Principal Investigators working at an institution in the United States must be a citizen of the United States or foreign national with either permanent residence status or a visa that is valid for the duration of the grant award. Grant applications will not be accepted from agencies of the federal government or agencies supported entirely by any federal or foreign government. All applications must bear the signature of the official head of the organization or that of a designee, since grants are not made to individual researchers, but to the relevant institution. AICR, in awarding grants, does not assume any responsibility for the conduct of the investigation or the acts or omissions of the investigator, since both are under the direction and control of the grantee s institution and are subject to its medical, ethical and scientific research policies. Please note that prior to starting a grant, the institution will need to accept the Terms and Conditions as covered in section 6 of this document. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make all appropriate departments aware of the Terms and Conditions before an application is submitted. For Investigator-Initiated Grants and Matching Grants, the Principal Investigator must have a PhD, MD, or equivalent degree, and be a research staff or faculty member at a non-profit academic or research institution at the level of an assistant professor (or its equivalent) or higher. 4.2 Types of Applications New Applications Applications must be initiated with a Letter of Intent. Only one Letter of Intent per Principal Investigator per grant cycle is permitted. 10 Revised Applications For the current grant cycle, unfunded applications from the last (2014) grant cycle are eligible to be revised. A Letter of Intent is still required. Please note: not all applicants will be invited to proceed to the Full Application stage. The revised Full Application should contain an additional uploaded attachment, not to exceed 2 pages, entitled Response to Reviewer Critiques, where issues raised by the reviewers are addressed. A revised application competes equally with all submitted applications in that cycle. Renewal Applications AICR Grants may not be renewed. Award Terms Investigator-Initiated Grants are generally made for a term of two years, although the applicant may specify a shorter period of time. A limited number of special Investigator-Initiated Grants will be made for a term of three years. These three-year grants will be awarded to support the start-up of epidemiologic or intervention studies that require additional time. 4.3 Grant Budgets Funds Available Most Investigator-Initiated Grants are awarded for a maximum $150,000, plus 10% in indirect costs, with a limit of $75,000 direct costs for any one year. The special start-up Investigator-Initiated Grants are awarded for a maximum of $225,000, plus 10% in indirect costs, with a limit of $75,000 direct costs for any one year. Budgets must be realistic estimates of the funds required for the proposed research. Unless specified otherwise, grants are generally made to cover the costs of such items as salaries for staff, research equipment and expendable supplies. Accurate financial tracking and management of the grant is the responsibility of the Principal Investigator, together with the institution s finance department. Budgets should be submitted in U.S. dollars only. Equipment Requests for equipment in excess of $500 should be itemized and justified on the budget attachment page. The title for equipment costing more than $500 must

14 stay with the AICR-sponsored project. If the Principal Investigator moves to a new organization and continues the AICR-sponsored project, the equipment and the title will transfer to the new organization. Travel Monies should be budgeted to present a poster at the AICR Annual Research Conference on Food, Nutrition, Physical Activity and Cancer at least once during the grant period. The maximum allowance for travel is $2,000 in any one year. Institutional Expenditures The grantee institution is expected to provide the required physical facilities and administrative services normally available to research institutions. AICR does not provide funds for items such as: Tuition and graduate fees Purchase of journals and books Purchase of lab or office furniture Payment of dues and memberships to professional societies Recruitment and relocation expenses Construction or maintenance of buildings Payment of non-medical or personal services to patients Payment of per diem charges for hospital beds Indirect costs are computed at ten percent (10%) of total direct costs. 4.4 Grant Application Review Process AICR will accept Letters of Intent starting on December 15, The deadline for submission is January 26, Letters of Intent are considered at a meeting of members of the AICR Grant Panel. Principal Investigators of the Letters of Intent recommended for further consideration will be invited to submit Full Applications. Grant Panel members review the Full Applications, which are discussed at the Grant Panel meeting. The Grant Panel is responsible for recommending a list of grants of sufficient scientific quality for funding to the AICR Board of Directors. Each September, the Board gives final approval for funding. The funding year begins the following January. Conflicts of Interest Members of the AICR Grant Review Panel may not review an application submitted by (1) a member of the 11 review panel, (2) a panel member s organization, or (3) a colleague who lists the panel member as having any responsibility or involvement in the project being reviewed or who collaborates or currently associates with the panel member in other capacities, which may or may not involve the application under consideration. In such cases, applications are reviewed by the other Grant Panel members or reviewers and the member is barred from all discussion on the proposed project. Letters of Intent: Assessment Letters of Intent may be submitted up until January (midnight, ET). The Letters of Intent are reviewed by members of AICR s Grant Panel, comprising senior scientists in the fields of nutrition, physical activity and cancer, who advise AICR on which applications to invite to submit a Full Application. Letters of Intent are evaluated on scientific merit and relevance to AICR s research principles and themes. Principal investigators will be notified of the decision by March 16, No specific feedback will be given at the Letter of Intent stage for unsuccessful applications. Full Applications: Assessment The Principal Investigator for each proposal that is recommended for further consideration is invited to submit a Full Application. Full Applications must be submitted by May 11, 2015 (midnight, ET). Full Applications are reviewed by AICR s Grant Panel and are evaluated for relevance to AICR s research principles and themes; the scientific merit and novelty of the application; the qualifications, experience and productivity of the investigator; the facilities available; the budget; and the promise of the research for adding to our understanding of the role of food, nutrition, physical activity and weight management in relation to cancer prevention, treatment and survivorship. Each application is reviewed by a primary and a secondary reviewer. Reviewers are asked to provide thoughtful and objective considerations of the application in light of the review criteria and to judge the merit of each proposal independently of other proposals. Considerations for scoring include study design, hypothesis, supporting evidence, originality and feasibility in relation to timeline and budget, as well as relevance to AICR s general and specific research themes. Reviewers provide written reviews that are discussed by the entire panel. The Panel Chair leads the discussion

15 and asks for input and comments from the other Panel members. The written reviews are provided in unattributed form to the applicants at the end of the review process. If a submitted application does not address one of AICR s specific research themes, the application is deemed out of scope and is not discussed. Each panel member gives the approved application a numerical score, and these are averaged to prioritize them as a basis for funding decisions. Acceptance indicates that the application has sufficient merit to be worthy of funding; rejection indicates insufficient merit to warrant funding. Funding recommendations for accepted applications are based primarily on the priority scores assigned by the Grant Panel. Recommended grants are approved for funding by the AICR Board of Directors at their September meeting. Funding begins the following January. AICR s grant program meets the general National Institutes of Health standards of peer review and funding. AICR support may be considered a peerreviewed, funded research project and listed as competitive grant support on applications for research to government agencies and private funding organizations. Outcome Applicants will receive their priority score and copies of the primary and secondary reviews. Applications that are in the fundable range are presented at the AICR Board meeting at the end of September Successful applicants will be notified in writing by the AICR Research Department in early October. The initial letter includes the dates of the budget period and the amount of funds authorized for obligation to the grantee institution during the period indicated; the terms and conditions binding upon the award; and all general terms applicable to the award (as contained in this document). Collaboration with Other Organizations AICR may occasionally enter into collaboration with forprofit corporations and/or non-profit organizations to fund cancer research consistent with AICR s areas of interest. Applications are evaluated using a peer review process and must meet the same high and rigorous standards as all other AICR funded grants. 12

16 5. APPLICATION PROCEDURES: GUIDANCE FOR COMPLETING THE APPLICATION FORMS AICR uses proposalcentral, an online submission system, for both the Letter of Intent and Full Application stages. This section provides guidance for completing the Letter of Intent and Full Application forms. Many parts of the forms are self-explanatory. Instructions for each section of the Letter of Intent and the Full Application are outlined in separate documents entitled Guidelines for Submitting an AICR Investigator-Initiated Grant Letter of Intent for the 2015 Grant Cycle and Guidelines for Submitting an AICR Investigator-Initiated Grant Full Proposal for the 2015 Grant Cycle. These documents are located in the Download Templates and Instructions step in proposalcentral as well as on the AICR website at Please Note: Applications that are not clearly relevant to AICR s specific research principles and research themes (sections 3.2 and 3.3) or otherwise do not follow the instructions in this Grant Application Package will not be reviewed. January 26, 2015 March 16, 2015 May 11, 2015 IMPORTANT DATES Letters of Intent due Full Applications invited Full Applications due 5.1 Letter of Intent First Stage of Application Process All applicants must submit a Letter of Intent, with accompanying documentation. The link to the Letter of Intent guidelines and template attachments are available on the AICR website at Applicants will first need to register with proposalcentral and then can leave and re-enter the application form at any point. The Letter of Intent must be submitted using the proposalcentral website: 1. Title Page Include: project title, amount requested (direct and indirect costs), start date and duration of project, type of application (new or revision), sub-program (in vivo, in 13 vitro, clinical, metabolic, epidemiologic and other). The total funds requested must be given in U.S. dollars. 2. Download Templates and Instructions The Grant Application Package (including AICR s Terms and Conditions) as well as instructions for how to complete each step are provided. 3. Enable Other Users to Access this Proposal Applicants have the option to allow others to access their application. Three levels of permission are available: view only, edit and administrator. 4. Applicant/Principal Investigator Include: name and contact details and postbaccalaureate degree information. This is automatically populated from the applicant s professional profile in proposalcentral. Any changes must be made through the proposalcentral professional profile section. 5. Institution and Contacts Institution contact information is automatically populated from the applicant s lead institution in their professional profile. Please check to verify it is correct. 6. Summary and Abstract Include: general audience summary, scientific abstract and keywords. General audience summary: The general audience summary should be written for a lay audience, as though describing the project to one of AICR s donors. This summary may be shared with donors, so do not include any proprietary or confidential information. The summary should not exceed 1,500 characters, including spaces.

17 Scientific abstract: The scientific abstract should be written at a level that would be appropriate for experts in the field. The abstract must include: (a) a description of the hypothesis, objectives and design of the proposed research; (b) a description of the relevance of the research to diet, nutrition and cancer; (c) up to 5 keywords describing the project. The abstract should not exceed 3,000 characters, including spaces. 7. Letter of Intent Attachments Applicants will be asked to provide the following: (a) Biographical sketch for Principal Investigator (NIH biosketch is acceptable). Limit to 4 pages. (b) Letter of Intent outlining research plan and relevance to AICR s mission and research themes. Requirements for the content of the Letter of Intent are available at the AICR website and on the AICR proposalcentral site. Limit to 2 pages. 8. Validate Check for any missing required information. Applicants will not be able to submit their Letter of Intent without completing all required sections. 9. Submit Applicants must submit their Letter of Intent once completed. 5.2 Full Application Second Stage of Application Process PLEASE NOTE: The Principal Investigator of a Letter of Intent recommended for further consideration will be invited to submit a Full Application. Upon notification of progression to the Full Application stage, applicants will be sent guidelines on how to submit their Full Application and the relevant template documents. Applicants will need to supply the following information: Title Page carried over from Letter of Intent Download Templates and Instructions o Grant Application Package (PDF) o Full Application Instructions (PDF) Enable Other Users to Access this Proposal Applicant/Principal Investigator carried over from the Letter of Intent and Professional Profile Institution and Contacts carried over from the Letter of Intent Key Personnel Summary and Abstract carried over from the Letter of Intent Budget Period Detail Budget Summary carried over from the Budget Period Detail step Other Support Organization Assurances Proposal Attachments PI Data Sheet Validate Signature Page(s) printed and signed, then uploaded as an attachment Submit Questions If you have any questions about these procedures, please contact the AICR Research Department at research@aicr.org. 5.3 Full Application Proposal Attachments In addition to filling out the online forms, applicants completing a Full Application are required to submit the following attachments: Principal Investigator Biosketch (limit to 4 pages) Proof of non-profit status Proposal Narrative (in one PDF document): o Background and Significance (2 page limit) o Specific Aims (1 page limit) o Research Design and Methods (including preliminary data) (5 page limit) o Facilities (1 page limit) o Consultation (1 page limit) o References Signature Pages Download from signature page of online proposal Response to Reviewer Critiques required for all revised applications (limit to 2 pages) Appendix optional (limit to 40 pages, single-sided) 14

18 Format for Attachments The body of the proposal should be typed, singlespaced. The type must be clear and readily legible, using only 12 point Times New Roman font or larger. A smaller point size will result in administrative rejection of the proposal. If constant spacing is used, there should be no more than 15 cpi, whereas proportional spacing should provide an average of no more than 15 cpi. Also, there must be no more than six lines of text within a vertical inch. Margins should be at least one-half inch from the top, bottom and both sides of the page. Pages should be numbered consecutively from the Background and Significance Page (page 1) through the References (last page). All pages should include the name of the Principal Investigator in the upper right corner. 15

19 6. PROCEDURES FOR FUNDED GRANTS: TERMS AND CONDITIONS 6.1 Getting Started Notice Successful applicants will be notified in writing by the AICR Research Department in early October 2015, after grants are approved for funding. The initial letter includes the dates of the budget period and the amount of funds authorized during the period indicated. AICR Terms and Conditions The Procedures for Funded Grants form needs to be signed by the Principal Investigator and the appropriate institutional representative before funding can begin. The form can be downloaded from the AICR proposalcentral site. Award Terms Investigator-Initiated Grants generally are made for a term of 2 years, although the applicant may specify a shorter period of time. A limited number of grants are made for a term of 3 years (see section 3.1). Awards are made without assurance of continued support beyond the designated term. Funds Disbursement Payments for Investigator-Initiated Grants will be made by AICR on a monthly basis. Note that all funds are disbursed at the end of the month, beginning with the commencement date of the grant term, and are disbursed in U.S. dollars. AICR s Accounting Department will notify the designated institution of the official payment schedule. 6.2 Changes to the Grant Budget AICR allows the Principal Investigator justified transfers of funds between the following categories in the budget: personnel, equipment, supplies, travel and miscellaneous. Any budget transfer between categories that is greater than 25% requires prior written approval from AICR. Transfers must be within the approved budget amounts. 16 Transfer to a New Institution Grants may be transferred from one institution to another with prior written approval from AICR. The Principal Investigator of the grant is responsible for submitting the following to AICR, in a timely manner: A letter from the Principal Investigator requesting transfer of the grant to the new institution. The letter should include the Principal Investigator s new contact information as well as the name and contact information for the new grants administration officer. Written release and a final report of expenditures from the original institution, together with the refund to AICR of any unexpended balance. Written acceptance of the grant by an authorized official of the new institution. This also applies to grants that are transferred before the grant start date. AICR will notify the institution and the Principal Investigator of approval in writing. Payments will be initiated to the new institution upon receipt of a final financial accounting of all expenditures from the original institution and a letter acknowledging that the grant has been accepted by the transfer institution. Transfer to a New Principal Investigator Grants may also be transferred from one Principal Investigator to another with prior approval from AICR. When a transfer from one Principal Investigator to another is sought, the original investigator must submit a request in writing, stating the reason for the requested change, with evidence that the proposed new investigator can complete the project. Also, include a completed biographical information section of AICR s application form and a CV for the proposed new Principal Investigator. The new Principal Investigator must also submit a letter to AICR. AICR will then notify the Principal Investigator in writing of its decision whether or not to transfer the grant. Unfunded (no-cost) Extension The grant period may be extended for up to one year without additional funds after prior written approval from AICR. Requests for extensions should be submitted no less than two months prior to the expiration of the grant period. Requests for extensions should be in the