Application Guidelines: The 2009 Grant Cycle

The Goldhirsh Foundation Brain Tumor Research Awards

Initial Application Deadline
The Initial Proposal Application must be submitted by Tuesday, January 13, 2009, 12:00 Noon, U.S. Eastern Time (GMT-5).

Full Proposal Deadline on April 21, 2009 (by invitation only)
Applicants who are invited to submit Full Proposals will be notified by email in early March 2009. The Full Proposal Application includes the Application Face Sheet, Department or Division Head Letter, Budget Forms, Budget Justification, Applicant’s C.V. and a 10-page Research Proposal. Applicants will be notified of funding decisions on or before June 1, 2009. Funding will begin July 1, 2009.

Size of the Award
Up to three investigators will receive grants of $600,000 USD (inclusive of 10% indirect costs) over three years at $200,000 USD per year. The Foundation also makes awards of $100,000 USD (inclusive of 10% indirect costs) for one-year pilot studies.

Statement of Purpose
New approaches in brain tumor research are emerging, generated by the use of new genetic tools, insights from neurogenesis and stem cell biology, and the availability of novel molecules as potential chemotherapeutic interventions. The Goldhirsh Foundation is interested in providing strategic investment in both pediatric and adult brain tumor research to accelerate progress toward more effective treatment for malignant diffuse glioma tumors. Applications are encouraged from investigators working in the continuum between basic research and clinical application, integrating and translating knowledge in various disciplines into meaningful progress for patients. Examples of funding areas include but are not limited to oncogenomics and proteomics, genetically engineered models, the discovery and testing of small molecule therapies, unusual drug delivery systems, or improved brain imaging techniques. Research projects at the interface of developmental biology and cancer along the stem cell to glial axis are eligible.

Applicant and Research Project Eligibility
The Goldhirsh Foundation is accepting Initial Applications from applicants who meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Have an M.D. and/or Ph.D. degree(s) or equivalent degree.
• Hold a faculty appointment at a nonprofit academic, medical or research institution in the United States, Canada or Israel. The applicant may collaborate with investigators from other institutions and these institutions may include for-profit companies.
• Preference will be given to originality of ideas, regardless of applicant seniority.
• Eligibility is not limited to those investigators currently working in brain tumor research.Investigators from other fields are encouraged to apply with proposals relevant to malignant diffuse glioma tumors.
• Projects must be relevant to tumors within the category of malignant diffuse gliomas, i.e., glioblastomas, diffuse astrocytomas (WHO grade III), oligoastrocytomas (WHO grade III), and oligodendrogliomas (WHO grade III).
• Projects focusing on WHO grade I-II gliomas, non-glial neuroepithelial tumors, meningeal tumors, nerve sheath tumors, CNS lymphomas, germ-cell tumors and tumors of the sella region are beyond the scope of the grant program.
• Projects that characterize genes and gene products of normal cellular development are not eligible, nor are epidemiological studies.

Applicants do not need to be nominated by their institutions. The sponsoring institution accepts responsibility for the scientific, administrative and financial management of the overall project including any subcontracts used for the project.

Resubmission
The Goldhirsh Foundation Brain Tumor Research Awards Program will not consider any research proposal that has been submitted more than two times (Original and Revision). Investigators who have submitted two versions of an application and have not been successful must substantially change all sections of the research proposal.

Award Selection Criteria
The Goldhirsh Foundation uses an independent Scientific Advisory Committee comprised of senior scientists who review applications and make recommendations to the Goldhirsh Foundation Board of Directors. A listing of the committee members and prior award recipients are available.

Only one application may be submitted per applicant who must choose to submit either a three-year or one-year award. Applications for the three-year ($600,000 USD) award will be evaluated separately from those for the one-year ($100,000 USD) award program. Applicants who receive a one-year award remain eligible to apply for the $600,000 USD awards in subsequent grant cycles. Selection is based on the following factors:

• Qualifications of the Applicant and prior experience in conducting innovative research;
• Hypothesis that is clearly stated, based on sound precedents and supported by relevant literature;
• Objectives that are well thought out, realistic, and technically feasible;
• Quality and originality of the research project; and potential to improve treatment of malignant diffuse glioma tumors

Note: The Goldhirsh Foundation will not provide individual written critiques of the Initial Application. Applicants invited to submit full proposals will receive brief written critiques of the research project.

Contact Information
Linda Lam
Program Officer, Brain Tumor Research Awards Program
The Goldhirsh Foundation
Tel:  (617) 279-2254
llam@goldhirshfoundation.org

Sally E. McNagny, M.D., M.P.H.
Director, Brain Tumor Research Awards Program
The Goldhirsh Foundation
Tel:  (617) 279-2240 ext. 704
smcnagny@goldhirshfoundation.org