NEW YORK (GenomeWeb News) – The National Cancer Institute will support research into cancer etiology and epidemiology with small grants of up to $100,000 over two years, according to a program announcement issued yesterday.
Studies covered under the Small Grants Program for Cancer Epidemiology program will involve epigenetic approaches, the influence of both genes and environment in cancer, genetic polymorphisms, and ‘omics technologies that could be used to assess cancer risk, NCI said.
The program will support pilot projects, new techniques, analyses of existing data, new research methodologies, and new research technologies.
Researchers may seek funding for up to two years for two modules at $25,000 per year each, totaling $50,000 per year plus costs for facilities and administration.
NCI is encouraging scientists to propose studies that involve circulating DNA, haplotype analysis, proteomic arrays, mass spectrometry, in silico assays, and immunoassays.
Examples of research NCI would like to fund include epigenetic and microRNA studies of cancer epidemiology; analyzing pooled analysis of data from multiple studies; studies of genetic factors that contribute to individual cancer susceptibility and risk; the application of biomarkers of tumor initiation and progression to epidemiologic studies; evaluating biomarkers for host susceptibility; and studying susceptibility based on genetic and epigenetic factors, as well as social and cultural criteria.