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Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Announces $13 Million in Grants for New Focused Areas of Study Grant Program

Posted on: Monday, 25 September 2006, 15:01 CDT

DALLAS, Sept. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, recognized as the global leader in the fight against breast cancer, has announced the availability of at least $13 million in funding for the launch of its new Focused Areas of Study Grant Program, designed to attract high-caliber, innovative research proposals addressing key questions in four specific areas of breast cancer: Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS), Experimental Model Systems, Biomarker Identification and Validation, and Environmental Research Methods.

At least $13 million will be awarded this year for qualified, non- traditional proposals of merit that have the potential to make a large impact in the four designated research areas. Additional grants in these focused areas of study may be awarded if the Foundation receives additional funding.

The $13 million designated for the new Focused Area of Study Grant Program is supplemental to the Foundation's annual investment in research through its Research Award Grants Program. In fiscal 2005, the Komen Foundation's Research Award Grants Program distributed more than $54.8 million to fund a total of 247 investigator-initiated scientific research grants. Since the Komen Foundation's inception in 1982, it has invested more than $630 million in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

"The Komen Foundation is launching this new focused funding direction, in addition to maintaining its investigator-initiated research grant program, to stimulate deeper inquiry into four specific areas that have been identified as having great potential to move breast cancer research forward in significant ways," said Rebecca Garcia, Ph.D., vice president health sciences for the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

Ductal Carcinoma in Situ (DCIS)

The Foundation is currently accepting applications for basic, clinical and translational research initiatives that examine Ductal Carcinoma in Situ initiation, progression and invasion as well as underlying biological processes for each. Proposals ranging from $300,000 to $1.5 million for a funding period of two to three years will be considered.

Experimental Model Systems

Proposals are also being accepted for research focused on Experimental Model Systems that faithfully mimic human biology. Proposals in this category should catalyze the development and refinement of laboratory methods that are surrogates of human biology. Funding may be granted to proposals of merit for the development of tools that facilitate the testing and generation of hypotheses that advance the understanding of breast cancer initiation, growth, progression or metastasis. Proposals ranging from $300,000 to $1.5 million for a funding period of two to three years will be considered. Proposals involving mouse models will not be considered for funding through the Focused Area Program, but should be directed to the Komen Foundation's Research Grant Program.

Biomarker Identification and Validation

The Foundation seeks proposals in the area of Biomarker Identification and Validation that demonstrate the potential to catalyze the next generation of breakthroughs in the understanding of breast cancer causation, progression, metastatic and recurrent disease. A biomarker is defined by the Foundation as any measurable biological characteristic having high fidelity relevance to breast biology and/or physiology as it applies to normal or cancer biology. Priority will be given to those applicants addressing key challenges or barriers pertaining to the validation of breast cancer biomarkers. Proposals will be accepted ranging from $300,000 to $3 million for a funding period of two to three years.

Environmental Research Methods

The Foundation will accept proposals in Environmental Research Methods beginning October 2007. Proposals in this category should address current environmental research challenges in laboratory or clinical settings relevant to breast cancer. Preference may be given to proposals that address specific challenges pertaining to research methodology, measurement standards and assessment instruments, research focusing on mammary-specific models, or projects demonstrating potential to enhance clinical application or utility. Proposals will be accepted ranging from $300,000 to $5 million for a two- to five-year period.

For more information on the Komen Foundation's Focused Areas of Study grants, contact Chandini Portteus, 972-855-4393. To apply for a grant, visit http://www.komen.org/focusedgrants

About the Komen Foundation

The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation was established in 1982 by Nancy Brinker to honor the memory of her sister, Susan G. Komen, who died from breast cancer at the age of 36. Today, the Foundation is an international organization with a network of more than 75,000 volunteers working through local Affiliates and events like the Komen Race for the Cure(R) to eradicate breast cancer as a life-threatening disease. A global leader in the fight against breast cancer, the Foundation fulfills its mission through support of innovative breast cancer research grants, meritorious awards and educational, scientific and community outreach programs around the world. Through fiscal year 2005, the Komen Foundation, together with its Affiliate Network, corporate partners and generous donors, has invested $630 million in breast cancer research, education, screening and treatment programs.

For questions about breast health or breast cancer, visit the Komen Foundation's Web site at http://www.komen.org/ or call the Komen Foundation's National Toll-Free Breast Care Helpline at 1.800.I'M AWARE(R) (1.800.462.9273).

Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation

CONTACT: Jean Maza, +1-972-701-2105, or jmaza@komen.org , or RebeccaGibson, +1-972-855-4319, or rgibson@komen.org , both of Susan G. Komen BreastCancer Foundation

Web site: http://www.komen.org/http://www.komen.org/focusedgrants

Source: PRNewswire

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