Career Development Awards (CDA)

Career Development Awards (CDA) is sponsored by Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF). Career Development Awards (CDA) is a grant from the Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) that funds junior investigators beginning a research career focused on melanoma biology and treatment.

Grant Eligibility & Requirements – Melanoma Research Foundation Grant Eligibility & Requirements The Melanoma Research Foundation (MRF) provides emerging and established scientific investigators with highly sought-after research grants that allow them to explore new avenues in melanoma biology and treatments, ultimately leading to a cure.

The MRF’s Research Grant Program emphasizes both basic and clinical research projects that explore innovative approaches to understanding melanoma and its treatment. Applicants are encouraged to contact the MRF at research@melanoma. org with any questions.

Career Development Awards MRF’s Career Development Awards provide funding of up to $50,000 per year for two years to junior investigators. Researchers who are beginning a research career emphasizing melanoma-related projects and have not yet established strong federal funding for their research are eligible. Applicants must hold a Ph.

D. or M. D.

degree or equivalent Applicants must have a title equivalent to assistant professor or at least 4 years of postdoctoral experience Applicants must show evidence of strong departmental or institutional support and commitment and generally be within 10 years of their advanced degree or specialty qualifications Applicants must have not previously received any major (e.g., R01) grant support nor should they hold a tenured position Applicants are limited to submitting one application to the MRF’s Career Development Awards Program per year Applicants are encouraged to discuss any eligibility questions with the MRF prior to application for a Career Development Award Proposed research must be conducted in a nonprofit research organization, medical or educational institution located in the United States Proposed research must comply with all applicable National Institutes of Health (NIH) animal and human welfare guidelines Grants are awarded to cover research conducted over a two-year period.

A no-cost extension of one year may be permitted with sufficient justification Requests for a no-cost extension must be made no later than 30 days prior to expiration of the granting period Financial and scientific progress reports are to be submitted to the MRF no later than 30 days prior to the end of the grant’s first year A full financial and scientific report detailing all activities during the granting period is due to the MRF 60 days prior to the end of the granting period (even if a no-cost extension is requested) Acknowledgment of support from the MRF must accompany any published report using data or findings from research conducted under a grant from the MRF The Career Development Award cannot exceed the total grant amount requested Indirect institutional costs are not allowed Funds used for travel are limited to $2,000 per year and cannot be used for international travel Established Investigator Awards The Established Investigator Grants provide funding of up to $100,000 per year for two years to established melanoma researchers, or senior researchers working in closely related fields who wish to move into melanoma research.

Applicants must hold a Ph. D. or M.

D.

degree or equivalent Applicants must have a title equivalent to associate professor or higher for no fewer than 5 years Applicants must show evidence of strong departmental or institutional support and commitment Applicants are limited to submitting one application to the MRF Established Investigator Award Program per year Applicants are encouraged to discuss any eligibility questions with the MRF prior to submitting an application for an Established Investigator Award Proposed research must be conducted in a nonprofit research organization, medical or educational institution located in the United States Proposed research must comply with all applicable National Institutes of Health (NIH) animal and human welfare guidelines Grants are awarded to cover research conducted over a two-year period.

A no-cost extension of one year may be permitted with sufficient justification Requests for a no-cost extension must be made no later than 30 days prior to expiration of the granting period Financial and scientific progress reports are to be submitted to the MRF no later than 30 days prior to the end of the grant’s first year A full financial and scientific report detailing all activities during the granting period must be submitted to MRF 60 days prior to the end of the granting period (even if a no-cost extension is requested) Acknowledgment of support from the MRF must accompany any published report using data or findings from research conducted under a grant from the MRF The Established Investigator Award cannot exceed the grant amount requested Indirect institutional costs are not allowed Funds used for travel are limited to $2,000 per year and cannot be used for international travel