1. American Cancer Society: Funding in Research and Training
Integrating the Life Sciences from Molecule to Organism
The American Physiological Society
American Cancer Society:
Funding in Research and Training
Charles Saxe, Ph.D.
Scientific Program Director
Cancer Cell Biology and Metastasis
American Cancer Society
Presented on April 26, 2017
Experimental Biology 2017
Chicago, IL April 2017

2. Kick Start Your Funding: Looking Beyond NIH and NSF
The American Physiological Society
This presentation is part of
the 2017 Trainee Symposium on
Kick Start Your Funding: Looking Beyond
NIH and NSF
Organized by the APS Trainee Advisory Committee
For more information and to listen to other presentations:

3. Charles Saxe, Ph.D. charles.saxe@cancer.org
The American Physiological Society
Charles Saxe, Ph.D.
Ph.D. (Genetics) - University of Arizona
Postdoctoral training - Univ Pittsburgh & UC-San Diego
Staff Scientist – NIH
Faculty – Department of Cell Biology Emory University School of Medicine
2007-present – American Cancer Society

4. The American Cancer Society Extramural Research and Training Programs
The American Physiological Society
The American Cancer Society
Extramural Research and Training Programs
Nation’s largest private, non-governmental, not-for-profit funder of cancer research in the US
ACS Research Program began with $1 million raised by Mary Lasker
Since 1946, ~$4.6 billion invested in cancer research
Over 24,000 investigators at more than 1100 institutions have been funded
More than 70% of junior faculty awarded ACS grants [2004-] have gone on to secure NIH R-level funding
47 ACS grantees selected for funding prior to winning a Nobel Prize
~70% of NCI-designated Cancer Centers are former grantees
Many ACS grantees have subsequently been selected for the Lasker Award, membership in the National Academy of Sciences, membership in the National Academy of Medicine [IOM], MacArthur Genius Award, etc.
Contributions to many advances in the understanding of causes, prevention, detection, and treatment of cancer; and contributions which improve patients’ lives

5. Focus of today’s presentation:
The American Physiological Society
Focus of today’s presentation:
Who we are
Make aware of ACS funding opportunities
Understand our processes; i.e., knowledge is power
Avoid frequent mistakes

6. Who we are… The American Physiological Society
Experts in cancer research and training across the cancer continuum
Our 6 Program Directors and SVP have a total of ~240 years of experience in, and commitment to, cancer research and training
Reputation for outstanding programs of research and training
Who we are

7. Extramural Research & Training Programs
The American Physiological Society
Extramural Research & Training Programs
Lynne W.
Elmore, PhD
Susanna
Greer, PhD
Ellie Daniels, MD, MPH
Ginger
Krawiec, MPA
Clinical
Cancer
Research & Immunology
Molecular Genetics & Biochemistry of Cancer
Cancer Cell Biology & Metastasis
Preclinical &
Translational Cancer Research
Cancer Control & Prevention
Research
Health Professional
Training in Cancer Control
Also acknowledge Bill Chambers and Bill Phelps
Molecules Cells Animals Patients Populations

8. 755 grants in effect - ~$407.2 million
The American Physiological Society
755 grants in effect - ~$407.2 million

9. Research Scholar Grants
The American Physiological Society
Research Scholar Grants
Support research projects initiated by investigators in the first six years of their independent careers.
Initial awards are made for up to four years and up to $165,000 per year, plus 20% indirect costs.
Exceptions: RSG applicants to the Cancer Control and Prevention Research Program ONLY may be at any career stage provided the focus of their project is either: health policy/health services research or cancer disparity reduction
Unfunded applications for Research Scholar Grants Fellowships may be resubmitted twice.
Make aware of ACS funding opportunities

10. ACS Applications Funded as a Percentage of Research Expenditures
The American Physiological Society
ACS Applications Funded as a Percentage of Research Expenditures
CY 2014

11. ACS* Funding of First Time RSGs vs. NCI† Funding of First Time RO1s
The American Physiological Society
ACS* Funding of First Time RSGs
vs. NCI† Funding of First Time RO1s
Why are our grants important? Our focus is on new investigators

12. Critical Elements of a Research Scholar Grant Application
The American Physiological Society
Critical Elements of a Research Scholar Grant Application
Applicant…why are YOU the person to do this research?
You will be judged entirely on your past accomplishments and your future potential.
Do you show you are independent from your postdoc advisor?
Do you show you are becoming a leader in the field?
Do you show you are building a team?
Do you have institutional support (dedicated lab space, startup funds, salary, term of appointment…all detailed in letter from your Department Chair)?

13. A Few Other Issues… The American Physiological Society
Your Research Plan; it obviously has to be
outstanding…but is it also:
Hypothesis driven?
Novel?
Do you suggest reasonable alternative approaches?
Cancer relevant?
Budget suggestion…actually think about it .

14. ACS Applications Funded as a Percentage of Research Expenditures
The American Physiological Society
ACS Applications Funded as a Percentage of Research Expenditures
CY 2014

15. Postdoctoral Fellowships
The American Physiological Society
Postdoctoral Fellowships
Designed to support a program of research training and study to enable a new investigator to qualify for an independent career in cancer research.
For new PhDs with 0-4 years fellowship experience at time of expected award.
Awards are made for 1-3 years.
Progressive stipends of $48,000, $50,000, and $52,000 per year, plus $4,000 per year fellowship allowance.
Unfunded applications for Postdoctoral Fellowships may only be resubmitted once.

16. Critical Elements of Postdoctoral Fellowships
The American Physiological Society
Critical Elements of Postdoctoral Fellowships
Applicant-why are YOU the person to do the research?
Past accomplishments and future potential; productivity?
Reference letters are CRITICAL.
Experience?
Motivation for cancer research??
Mentor
Accomplishments.
Record of successful mentoring.
Stable funding.

17. Postdoctoral Fellowships are further
The American Physiological Society
Postdoctoral Fellowships are further
evaluated on…
Mentoring Plan
Absolutely critical that the mentor be invested in training this postdoc.
This fellowship is meant to train the best and brightest fellows in the U.S.
Does this mentoring plan accomplish that goal?
Career development is key.
Research Plan
Cancer relevant? Pitfalls described?
Innovative? Technical systems, animals, etc. in place to accomplish in the timeframe proposed

18. Final Thoughts for all Grants
The American Physiological Society
Final Thoughts for all Grants
Lay audience summaries are often more impactful if actually written for a lay audience.
Reviewers will get into the weeds of your budget, institution, collaborators, basically ANYWHERE you invite them in…
Listen to your reviewers; their comments are an honest effort to make your grant, and your science, better.
Avoid frequent mistakes

19. American Cancer Society Peer Review Process
The American Physiological Society
American Cancer Society Peer Review Process
Two deadlines per year: April 1 and October 15
Grant applications are submitted on-line via proposalCENTRAL and are also mailed to the ACS
Submitted grants are sorted into six programs and 19 peer review committees
Applicants will be notified of committee assignments
and
approximate dates of review and outcome via proposalCENTRAL
Understand our processes

20. I’ve submitted my grant to the ACS…what happens next?
The American Physiological Society
I’ve submitted my grant to the ACS…what happens next?
Two levels of peer review:
Peer Review Committees (19): volunteer experts in field of study or practice review (critiques), rate and rank applications.
“Research Stakeholders” or lay community advocates on Peer Review Committees
Council for Extramural Grants: senior researchers and research stakeholders compare work of all committees and decides who is funded.

21. Review Criteria: The American Physiological Society
The qualifications, experience and productivity of the applicant.
The scientific merit of the application; novelty, creativity.
The promise of the research as related to the cause, prevention, detection, treatment or quality of life for cancer patients.
The facilities and resources available; the institutional commitment.
Career development potential.

22. American Cancer Society Peer Review Process
The American Physiological Society
American Cancer Society Peer Review Process
What does MY score mean?
Outstanding
Excellent
Good
Fair
Non-competitive
AD / SD Administrative / Scientific Disapproval

23. Funded! RANK NAME In the ‘Pay If Pool’ for 3 cycles
The American Physiological Society
THE PAYLINE IS SET…
RANK NAME
1 Watson
2 Blobel
3 Hartwell
4 Bishop
5 Baltimore
6 Perutz
7 Franklin
Funded!
PAYLINE
PAY-IF LINE
In the ‘Pay If Pool’ for 3 cycles
Not recommended
for funding

24. What feedback will I get?
The American Physiological Society
What feedback will I get?
To: Applicant
From: Program Director
Rating (not scores)
Likelihood of funding
Resubmission information
Reviewer 1
Strengths
Weaknesses
Recommendations
Karl
Saxe, PhD
Cancer
Cell Biology
and Metastasis
Reviewer 2
Strengths
Weaknesses
Recommendations
+ Committee
discussion comments
(if any) and consultation

25. The American Physiological Society
Become familiar with what’s available and be aware of new offerings:
Read Policies and Instructions carefully, especially the description of intent of grant, basis for review and award, eligibility criteria.
Call program directors for additional information or clarifications.
Ask the advice of successful grantees and mentors.
Be persistent!
Remind them of flyer containing all of the major funding mechanisms is here and available

26. For more information, to listen to other presentations,
The American Physiological Society
For more information, to listen to other presentations,
and for the PowerPoints with active links
and/or other resources
For further information, contact APS Education Office