Stand Up To Cancer® (SU2C): Pediatric Neuro-Oncology Consortium (PNOC) and the PNOC Foundation Diffuse Midline Glioma (DMG) Discoveries Challenge Grant Program

PROGRAM MISSION STATEMENT: The program will support highly innovative translational research that provides a step-change improvement in therapy for DMG, including diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG), hereinafter referred to collectively as DMG. DMG primarily affects children between 5 to 10 years old but can affect younger children, adolescents, and young adults (CAYA). The program seeks translation into the clinic within 18-24 months. By fostering rigorous, translational, and accessible research, the program aims to accelerate treatments with high potential for significant increases in long-term survival and high quality of life for CAYA diagnosed with DMG. The program will also consider early-phase clinical trials representing highly innovative, out-of-the-box approaches to DMG treatment.

RESEARCH PROJECT CRITERIA:

This funding call invites proposals that primarily aim to design, validate, and test ground-breaking interventions to treat DMG resulting in a step-change of long-term survival and high quality of life for CAYA patients. Projects may include:

* Pioneering therapeutic approaches as proof of concept

* Novel combination treatment strategies

Proposals should be focused on research at the preclinical research stage or later, i.e. candidate targets and/or interventions should already have been identified. The project must aim to deliver interventions to patients in a clinical research study within 18-24 months of the project start. For studies focused on earlier stages of clinical development, where later-stage trials and/or implementation of a final intervention is outside the scope of the study timeframe and budget, a clear line of sight to the following steps required for intended implementation should be articulated. All proposals should align with SU2C and PNOC’s mission.

Funding: Teams may apply for total support up to $1,000,000 for up to a 2-year term. Funding is available for up to two Challenge Grants. Towards the end of the grant term, selected team(s) that successfully demonstrate high potential for treatment with long-term survival and high quality of life for CAYA patients with DMG may be eligible for larger-scale funding to support an early phase clinical trial or an expansion of an early phase trial.

Research may be carried out internationally. There are no citizenship or residency status restrictions for team members.

https://standuptocancer.org/science/grant-opportunities/

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