august 29, 2012

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Pancreatic Cancer Action Network -- AACR Grants Program Offers More Than $4 Million for Pancreatic Cancer Research

Applications Invited for 2013 Research Grants

PHILADELPHIA — The American Association for Cancer Research and the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network are pleased to announce the opening of the 2013 research grants program.

Five grant mechanisms are being offered to support research that has direct application and relevance to pancreatic cancer. For 2013, the grants portfolio includes a new grant mechanism called the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network-AACR Research Acceleration Network Grant, which was developed to respond to emerging needs in the pancreatic cancer research community. The grant is designed to fast track an existing pancreatic cancer research project that is ready for next steps and includes a clinical component that will have patient benefit.

“Pancreatic cancer is a very challenging disease, and one that urgently requires research that will improve prognosis,” said Margaret Foti, Ph.D., M.D. (h.c.), chief executive officer of the AACR. “The AACR is proud to partner with the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network on several grant opportunities to advance cancer research and improve diagnosis and treatment of this devastating disease.”

“We are thrilled to provide a record high total of more than $4 million in research funding through the 2013 grants program. Our expansion to five grant mechanisms will help us further meet the needs of the pancreatic cancer research community,” said Julie Fleshman, president and chief executive officer of the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. “Our goal is to fund innovative research, grow the number of researchers working in the field, foster collaborations across disciplines and institutions, and expedite scientific progress for patient benefit.”

Approximately every 12 minutes, another American is diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer is the fourth leading cause of cancer death in the United States, and is the deadliest among leading cancer killers with a five-year survival rate in the single digits, at just 6 percent.

“In an effort to meet our goal of doubling the survival rate for pancreatic cancer, the organization is excited to offer for the first time a new grant mechanism, the Research Acceleration Network Grant, which is intended to fast track a promising research project that is already underway within the pancreatic cancer community,” added Lynn Matrisian, Ph.D., vice president of scientific and medical affairs at the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network. “The $1 million grant represents the largest single grant funded through our grants program. We are hopeful this grant will provide a significant boost to a project that will ultimately lead to an early detection method or treatment option for pancreatic cancer patients.”

Through the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network – AACR Grants Program, funding is available for postdoctoral and clinical research fellows, and junior and senior researchers. Since the grants program was introduced in 2003, $12.7 million has been awarded to accelerate pancreatic cancer research.

Submissions must be completed online using the proposalCENTRAL website at https://proposalcentral.altum.com/. Funding decisions will be announced in March and the grant term will begin July 1, 2013. Please see below for grant deadlines.

Applications are being accepted for the following grant mechanisms:

Research Acceleration Network Grant
This new grant mechanism provides $1 million over one to three years to support a project currently underway within the pancreatic cancer research community that is ready to be accelerated, includes a clinical component, and will help double the survival rate for pancreatic cancer by the year 2020. The grant is open to independent investigators and needs to be implemented by at least two co-principal investigators from distinct institutions.

The deadline for the Letter of Intent is Oct. 8, 2012.

Innovative Grant
The Innovative Grant is a two-year grant totaling $200,000 to support the development of new and innovative ideas and approaches, including those successful in other areas of cancer that have promise for pancreatic cancer. The grant is open to independent junior or senior investigators.

The deadline for the Letter of Intent is Oct. 8, 2012.

Career Development Award
The Career Development Award is a two-year grant totaling $200,000 to support newly independent investigators develop or strengthen their research program in pancreatic cancer.

The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2012.

Pathway to Leadership Grant
The Pathway to Leadership Grant is a five-year grant totaling $600,000 that is designed to build future leaders in the pancreatic cancer research community by supporting the most highly promising postdoctoral or clinical research fellows during their mentored research and continuing through their transition to independence.

The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2012.

Fellowship
The Fellowship is a one-year grant totaling $45,000 to support a postdoctoral or clinical research fellow during the mentored research phase.

The application deadline is Oct. 31, 2012.

To learn more about the 2013 grants program, visit www.aacr.org/funding or www.pancan.org/2013grants

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About the AACR
Founded in 1907, the American Association for Cancer Research (AACR) is the world’s first and largest professional organization dedicated to advancing cancer research and its mission to prevent and cure cancer. AACR’s membership includes 34,000 laboratory, translational and clinical researchers; population scientists; other health care professionals; and cancer advocates residing in more than 90 countries. The AACR marshals the full spectrum of expertise of the cancer community to accelerate progress in the prevention, biology, diagnosis and treatment of cancer by annually convening more than 20 conferences and educational workshops, the largest of which is the AACR Annual Meeting with more than 17,000 attendees. In addition, the AACR publishes seven peer-reviewed scientific journals and a magazine for cancer survivors, patients and their caregivers. The AACR funds meritorious research directly as well as in cooperation with numerous cancer organizations. As the Scientific Partner of Stand Up To Cancer, the AACR provides expert peer review, grants administration and scientific oversight of individual and team science grants in cancer research that have the potential for near-term patient benefit. The AACR actively communicates with legislators and policymakers about the value of cancer research and related biomedical science in saving lives from cancer. For more information about the AACR, visit www.AACR.org.

About the Pancreatic Cancer Action Network
The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network is the national organization creating hope in a comprehensive way through research, patient support, community outreach and advocacy for a cure. The organization is leading the way to increase the survival rate for people diagnosed with this devastating disease through a bold initiative — The Vision of Progress: Double the Pancreatic Cancer Survival Rate by 2020. Together, we can know, fight and end pancreatic cancer by intensifying our efforts to heighten awareness, raise funds for comprehensive private research, and advocate for dedicated federal research to advance early diagnostics, better treatments and increase chances of survival.