The OSUCC Intramural Research Program (IRP) ensures a transparent, high-quality, scientific peer review of IRP grant applications.
IRP awards are intended to foster innovation and discovery among OSUCCC – James researchers by providing the seed money needed to develop promising research and to generate preliminary data and publications that will make them competitive for NCI grants.
IRP funding comes primarily from Pelotonia, the annual grassroots bicycle tour that raises millions of dollars for cancer research at the OSUCCC – James.
The IRP provides funding opportunities to our research community twice annually.
Application and Award Announcement Dates
| Application Cycle | Dates | Award Begins |
|---|---|---|
| Spring 2025 | January 2 - January 31 | July 1 (Award Begins) |
| Fall 2025 | July 28 – August 29 | January 1 (Award Begins) |
OSUCCC – James administration coordinates the request-for-proposal process and the subsequent internal/external peer review. Applications are evaluated by a minimum of three reviewers, including at least one from another university.
Administration also coordinates reviewer comments, organizes review sessions, records minutes, tabulates scores and produces a list of recommended awardees for review by the IRP Director, Dr. Monica Venere and the OSUCCC – James Senior Leadership Team for final approval.
Only scientifically meritorious applications that meet the criteria for quality and success are funded. Funding criteria include the likelihood that the project will receive future NCI funding and that the work will involve collaboration among investigators of different disciplines. Projects also are judged on innovation, potential impact on cancer treatment, budget considerations, and contribution to the OSUCCC – James mission.
All applications must be cancer focused. To date, more than 200 IRP awards have been issued.
Pelotonia participation requirement – All PIs must have contributed to the fundraising effort of this critical OSUCCC resource. If the requirements are not met at the time of review, applications will be administratively withdrawn without review. PIs, whether one or more, must be registered as a Rider or Challenger for Pelotonia, and must have raised a minimum of $1,250 in fundraising. The $1,250 minimum fundraising cannot be done through Peloton fund sharing from another Rider/Challenger. For faculty who have joined OSUCCC after June 1, the fundraising requirement is waived but are expected to participate in Pelotonia the following year and meet the requirements as above. In unusual circumstances, the fundraising requirement may be reduced or waived. Any concerns or questions should be directed to Jules Breckenridge.
Applicants who are not funded in a particular cycle may submit a revised application as many times as they deem appropriate. However, after two submissions, further submissions must be approved by Dr. Monica Venere and/or the study section chair prior to submission. Resubmissions must contain previous reviewer comments and show how they have been addressed. Applicants in each funding cycle who have received prior IRP funding must show that they have completed or made significant progress for earlier awards in terms of external grant submissions and publications in scientific journals. Poor progress on earlier awards may affect funding decisions.
The administration finance team manages the funding awards. Progress reports for IRP awards are managed by Jules Breckenridge. Dr. Venere reviews the progress reports and evaluates the work for continued funding.
IRP Funding Categories
Idea Grants
These grants, which draw from Pelotonia and donor funding, provide early funding support for high-risk, high-payoff research for which external grants are very hard to obtain. Idea Grant applications must include at least two PIs from different scientific disciplines.
“These awards provide seed funding for ideas that can lead to critical preliminary data, new collaborations and discoveries that can result in breakthroughs in cancer treatment and prevention strategies, as well as NCI grants.
Funds with a total budget up to $150,000 may be requested ($75,000 in year one and $75,000 in year two for a two-year project). No indirect costs are allowed. In addition, please include a timeline showing when an NCI “R” level grant will be submitted. Progress reports are required prior to the second year of funding being released showing adequate progress towards completion of aims.
Junior Investigator Awards
This award is designed to support the research of junior faculty with mentored career development plans that will lead to a cancer related grant, preferably an NCI R01 award. Junior Investigator is defined as a research or tenure track scientist who meets the NIH criteria as a new investigator. It is primarily meant to support exceptionally talented new investigators that have not previously competed successfully as PD/PI for a substantial NIH independent research award (see link for full details). The criteria for this category are similar to that for Idea Grant and are funded at the same level (up to $150,000 total). In addition, the following items should be included to support the career development of the applicant:
- A well-defined career development plan that must be specifically tailored to meet the needs of the candidate and the ultimate goals of attaining independence as a funded investigator
- A background statement about the applicant, scientific vision for an independent research position, resources and space available to the applicant’s career development activities (coursework including grant writing, scientific meetings, workshops, etc.).
- The applicant must select at least one mentor (preferably two mentors with complimentary research expertise) and will work together to develop a research program that will lead to a successful R01 or similar award in the cancer field. The selected mentor(s) must have a track record of funded research relevant to the selected research topic, and adequate experience as a mentor.
- A strong letter of support from the mentor(s), co-signed by the department chair, stating the commitment to mentoring and how this will happen, affirmation that the applicant will work independently on the project and working toward an independent career, and availability of space and other resources.
- Brief description of the plan for evaluation of his/her progress in the proposed research goals and how this will facilitate the potential transition to an independent research program.
Community-Based Partnership Awards
This category, involving both Pelotonia and donor funding, supports investigators who partner with a community entity to conduct a cancer-focused study that will lead to a peer-reviewed grant application to the NCI.
Community partners may include organizations such as local American Cancer Society units and community cancer coalitions, researchers involved in community-based research at other universities, and clinics that are not part of the OSUCCC – James clinical entities (e.g., non-cancer clinics, community health centers, regional hospitals, etc.).
“The goal of these grants is to allow the community to be part of the research project,” Shields says, noting that Ohio State researchers in any area of scientific investigation may apply as long as the project is hypothesis-driven and focused on cancer research.
Funds with a total budget up to $150,000 may be requested ($75,000 in year one and $75,000 in year two for a two-year project). No indirect costs may be included. In addition, please include a timeline showing when an NCI “R” level grant will be submitted. Progress reports are required prior to the second year of funding being released showing adequate progress toward completion of aims.
Clinical Trial Grants and Protocol-Specific Research Support
Clinical trials not only help develop new ways to prevent and treat cancer, but they also give participating patients access to some of the most advanced treatments available anywhere. Awards in this category, drawn from Pelotonia and/or Cancer Center Support Grant (CCSG) funding, support such studies.
The goal of these awards is to provide seed funding for investigator-initiated clinical trials that support novel concepts in cancer prevention and treatment. Trials must be phase I or pilot studies that are not supported by industry (other than for drug supply) and that are associated with one of the five OSUCCC – James research programs. Preference is given to trials that translate Ohio State basic science into the clinics."
Funds with a total budget up to $150,000 may be requested ($75,000 in year one and $75,000 in year two for a two-year project). No indirect costs may be included. Funds may be requested for correlative science, or for protocol-specific research support (i.e., CTO support). In addition, please include a timeline showing when an NCI “R” level grant will be submitted. Progress reports are required prior to the 2nd year of funding being released showing adequate progress toward goals. Only projects ready to start at the time of the award will be funded, otherwise the funds may be redirected.
For more details about the OSUCCC – James IRP and its award categories, or to obtain a list of past IRP awardees, please contact Julie Breckenridge at Julie.Breckenridge@osumc.edu.