2023 Borrelli Family Pilot Grant in Lynch Syndrome

Penn Institute for Immunology and the Penn Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Program

2023 Borrelli Family Pilot Grant in Lynch Syndrome 

The Penn Institute for Immunology and the Penn Gastrointestinal Cancer Genetics Program is announcing a Pilot Grant Program for research focused on Lynch Syndrome.  Lynch syndrome affects approximately 1 in 300 individuals, and significantly increases risk for multiple cancers, including colorectal cancer and endometrial cancer.  The aim of this pilot award is to further advance basic science, translational, or clinical research in Lynch syndrome that has potential to make a significant contribution to the Lynch syndrome field.  Applicants are encouraged, but not required, to propose utilizing existing Lynch syndrome resources at Penn, including a comprehensive database of Lynch syndrome patients followed at Penn Medicine as well as a growing Lynch syndrome biobank including serum, plasma, PMBCs, colonic mucosal tissue, stool and colonic-derived organoids (please contact Dr. Bryson Katona for more information about these resources, bryson.katona@pennmedicine.upenn.edu).
 
Importantly, pilot grants that introduce new collaborations and are responsive to an upcoming RFA, future NIH Concept or other future funding mechanism will be given priority. It will also be important to describe how these studies will position the investigator(s) to compete more effectively for a future application and/or translated into potential future clinical opportunities regarding Lynch Syndrome.  The science remains a priority; however, it is important to emphasize how the proposed studies will develop a new line of investigation for the PI and how the results of these studies will be capitalized on in the future.
 
Important Dates:

Submission deadline for full applications:  November 3, 2023

Awards made by:        December 15, 2023

It is anticipated that 1 pilot will be awarded.  Applications may request up to $100,000 in support for one year.

Eligibility

All Penn faculty members (including Instructors) are invited to submit proposals.

Full applications must be submitted by email to Samantha Halter (shalter@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) by November 3

Full Application Instructions:

A single PDF should include the following:

•                     Cover page: includes abstract of up to 250 words (and list of approved or pending IACUC/IRB protocols [see attached cover page that should be included in each application]. 

•                     Application (Aims, Significance and Innovation, Preliminary Results and Experimental Design). Limited to two pages including all preliminary data (excluding references; references can be on additional pages).

•                     Applicants should include an additional half page section devoted to explaining how pilot funds will enable a strong, competitive application to a larger funding mechanism (e.g., NIH application)

•                     NIH biographical sketch for each investigator

•                     NIH other support for each investigator

•                     Budget and justification: one year, up to a maximum of $100,000; one page only

•                     Award Terms

1) Awardees are required to inform the IFI in the event that the Pilot/Feasibility Project receives external funding during the project period.

2) A final progress report is due one month after the close of the project period. The report will contain a one-page synopsis of scientific progress and a list of resulting collaborations, publications, and grants.

3) Awardees will also be required to present their proposed work in some capacity at the 2024 Lynch Syndrome Symposium taking place on March 11, 2024.  For additional information, please contact: Samantha (shalter@pennmedicine.upenn.edu)