Free to Breathe 2015 Research Grant To Prevent or Stop Lung Cancer Metastasis. Request for Proposals

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1 Free to Breathe 2015 Research Grant To Prevent or Stop Lung Cancer Metastasis Request for Proposals Award Overview Free to Breathe has a new funding opportunity solely focused on research to prevent or stop lung cancer metastasis. We seek to support high-impact and innovative lung cancer research within this area of emphasis that will result in clinical translation (e.g. clinical trial) by the end of the 3-year award period. Our ultimate goal is to fund research that will result in treatments for lung cancer patients and increase survival. For 2015, we expect to support up to three awards of $600,000 each, paid over 3 years. Free to Breathe is a 501(c)(3) partnership of lung cancer survivors, advocates, researchers, healthcare professionals and industry leaders. We are united in the belief that every person with lung cancer deserves a cure. Our vision is to double lung cancer survival by To reach this vision we seek to fund research with the greatest potential to save lives. Key Dates Letter of Intent (LOI) deadline: November 7, 2014 Invitation for submission of full applications: January 7, 2015 Full application deadline: March 9, 2015 Applicant notification: May 2015 Anticipated funding start date: June 1, 2015 Area of Interest Free to Breathe will only consider Letters of Intent proposing research to prevent or stop lung cancer metastasis including a clear vision and plan for clinical translation within 3 years. Proposals with interdisciplinary, collaborative teams and two or more Principal Investigators (PIs) are encouraged. Free to Breathe is interested in (but are not limited to) proposals with: Collaborations with industry partners; however the primary PI must be employed at a not-for-profit entity (such as an academic or research institution) Access to existing patient samples or data, especially tissue from metastatic sites Studies that include mechanistic investigations into the underlying causes of metastasis Studies that are distinct research components of new or existing clinical trials. The clinical trial costs may be partly covered by the grant if mechanistic questions are also addressed. Clear evidence, including timelines, that the clinical trial will be initiated must be presented. If the proposed studies are dependent on the completion of a planned clinical trial, a copy of the study protocol must be submitted with the full application. Novel approaches for preventing brain metastasis

2 Proposals with the following will not be considered for funding: Research focused generally on treatment for advanced stage patients without a direct focus on preventing or stopping lung cancer metastasis Research focused on mesothelioma, thymic or other thoracic malignancies, or smoking prevention/cessation Research focused solely on basic pre-clinical cell line and animal models Sponsoring institutions outside of the United States Eligibility and Requirements Principal Investigators (PIs) must hold a doctoral degree (MD, PhD, DO, DrPH, or equivalent) and be independent investigators at or above the level of Assistant Professor (or equivalent) Sponsoring Institutions are limited to not-for-profit institutions located within the United States Applicants need not be a citizen of the US; however verification of work visa must be provided Proposals must present a clear vision as well as a strategic plan and timeline for clinical translation in 3 years from the start of the award Research proposals must demonstrate compelling preliminary data and proof of concept at the time of submission Preliminary data demonstrated in other cancer types must also include convincing rational of applicability to lung cancer Applications will only be accepted from PIs engaged in non-small cell or small cell lung cancer research. In the case of co or multiple PIs, at least one PI must have a demonstrated track record in lung cancer research Applicants may not have knowingly received any research funding from the tobacco industry, its parent companies, or subsidiaries, within the last 5 years No more than 20% of the requested budget may be used for salary and fringe benefits for the principal investigator(s) Applications involving human participants must receive approval from the local Institutional Review Board before award commencement Applications involving animals must receive approval from the institution s Animal Care and Use Committee before award commencement Free to Breathe will not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, creed, religion, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, age or any other factor irrelevant to the quality of the application

3 Letter of Intent Instructions The deadline for Letter of Intent submission is 5 pm EST on November 7, Late submissions will not be accepted. An online grant submission system, including detailed application instructions, is available: Mailed or ed applications will not be accepted; all applications must be submitted through the online system. Applicants will be notified of the status of their Letter of Intent by January 7, Full applications will only be accepted from PIs invited to apply based on review of their Letter of Intent. Letter of Intent Components Principal investigator(s) information Collaborator information Project title Abstract: A brief (1,500 characters or less) description of the proposed research in terms and format appropriate for publication in a peer-reviewed forum Project Narrative: the narrative is limited to four (4) pages, not including references. This limit includes the text and any figures, tables, etc. The project narrative should include: o Rationale: Clearly and concisely articulate the ideas and reasoning behind the project, including relevant citations and preliminary data. A summary of preliminary data supporting the hypothesis is required. o Hypothesis and specific aims o Research Approach: brief overview of the experimental approach(es) to be used to address the aims o Impact: Describe the impact of the work to increase lung cancer patient survival. A strategic plan and timeline for clinical translation in 3 years from the start of the award must be included References Cited (1 page limit) Full NIH biosketch for the PI and any co-pis, including personal statement and current and pending support. Evaluation Process & Criteria The Grant Review Committee is comprised of members of the Free to Breathe Scientific Executive Committee, additional scientific and medical experts, and lung cancer patient advocates. Applicants will be judged on: Merits of the project narrative and objectives How the project fits with the research focus of this RFP Quality of the preliminary data and project rationale Feasibility of research plan to result in clinical translation by the end of the 3-year award period Outcomes and benefits of the work and potential to increase survival for patients PI s qualifications, including research experience and publications Research environment, including facilities, patient/sample population, personnel, etc.

4 Terms of the Award Award Payment This award provides funding up to $600,000, including a maximum of 8% ($48,000) indirect costs ($552,000 in direct costs, $48,000 in indirect costs). Grants will be paid over 3 years at $200,000 per year. The second and third year payments will be contingent on receipt and approval of written progress reports. Payments will be made by Free to Breathe annually to the comptroller or to the designated financial officer of the sponsoring institution. The grant may not be transferred to another sponsoring institution or individual without prior approval by Free to Breathe. Unless otherwise agreed, the first payment will be paid immediately following execution of the grant agreement with the sponsoring institution. Use of Grant Funds Personnel expenditures The Free to Breathe Research Grant is to be used primarily for research support. No more than 20% of the requested budget may be used for salary and fringe benefits for the principal investigator(s). The Grant is not designed to supplement an existing salary of the principal investigator. Award funds may be used for salary and fringe benefits for other personnel directly conducting the funded research, including post-doctoral fellows, technicians and graduate students. However, grant funds may not be used for tuition. Equipment and supply purchases Grant funds may be used for supplies, reagents, and equipment, including computers, integral to the research plan. No more than 30% of the total grant budget may go to fund the purchase of permanent equipment. No portion of the grant funds may be used for: i) repair or service contract costs for institutional equipment, ii) furniture; or iii) construction or renovation of facilities. Upon conclusion of the grant, all remaining equipment and supplies become the property of the institution at which the work was done. Any departure from this term requires prior written approval from Free to Breathe. Travel expenditures The maximum amount of funds expendable for travel is $1500 per year. All travel costs must be directly related to the project described in the research plan Research involving vertebrate animals, human participants, or biohazards Research involving vertebrate animals, human participants, or biohazards must meet or exceed standards required for Federal Government funding. Appropriate certification of approval for research involving vertebrate animals, human participants, and/or biohazards or exemption from approval must be included with the application packet. Free to Breathe assumes no responsibility or liability for the use or care of any animal; for the authorized or unauthorized use of human participants or materials; or for any biohazard or the failure to safeguard such hazards used in the research project.

5 Expectation of presentation and publication Publication of the research results in a peer-reviewed scientific journal is expected. Free to Breathe shall be notified of acceptance of any abstract or manuscript by the grant recipient that is accepted for publication or for presentation at any regional, national, or international scientific meeting that is based on the research performed with the support of the grant. The grant recipient may be expected to present final or interim research results at a public or internal Free to Breathe meeting, videoconference, or in print (organization s newsletter, website, or similar). Patent and intellectual property policy All inventions, discoveries, or intellectual properties that result from support of the Grant recipient will be subject to the patent policies of the sponsoring institution. The sponsoring institution agrees to notify Free to Breathe of the decision to apply for letters of patent or other legal protection for intellectual property. Free to Breathe agrees to keep all information confidential. All patenting expenses or intellectual property application expenses shall be borne solely by the sponsoring institution. Confidentiality All grant Letters of Intent, applications, evaluations, and priority scores are considered confidential and are made available only to Free to Breathe s Grant Review Committee, Board of Directors, and administrative staff. For questions about the Research Grant competition, please contact: Alice Yuroff, Ph.D. Senior Programs Manager, Free to Breathe ayuroff@freetobreathe.org