Release Date: 2/27/2026
Full Application Due: 4/1/2026
Background & Purpose
The prevention and early detection of cancer have been recognized as priorities by the UF Health Cancer Institute’s Community Advisory Board representing community members within the Institute’s catchment area. Prevention strategies for all community members and high-risk populations have been requested to decrease our community’s cancer burden. Early detection, via improved awareness and access to screening, will help decrease the number of advanced malignancies being diagnosed within our catchment area.
The purpose of this request is to develop new interventional trials focused on the prevention and early detection of cancer.
Responsive applications should propose an interventional trial evaluating the prevention or early detection of cancer. Funding will be for two years. Competitive applications for funding will target enrollment of at least 500 patients and must have the ability to open to enrollment within 6 months of award notification.
Who can apply?
- Each project must include at least one UFHCI member, acting as the Contact Principal Investigator (PI). Only independent investigators can apply for funding as a PI.
- Faculty at all academic stages may apply.
- Investigators may submit only one project during a funding cycle as the Contact PI. Clinical/Scientific advisory roles on more than one application are allowed.
- Applications from investigators with active pilot projects or active multi-investigator projects will be administratively disqualified unless:
- The active project is ending before the award is issued for the current round. Or,
- The investigator(s) is/are proposing a project that is clearly scientifically distinct from the currently funded project.
What is the application process?
- Applicants will submit their concepts for presentation at the Investigator Initiated Trial Think Tank (I2T3) using the form HERE. Completed concept forms should be sent to ResearchAdmin@cancer.ufl.edu.
- Concepts must be reviewed and completed concept forms submitted by 4/1/2026 for presentation at the 5/7/2026 I2T3 meeting.
- Applicants will present concept at I2T3 meeting and receive feedback from I2T3 committee members.
- Funding determination and application selection will be based on strength of concept and feasibility by UFHCI senior leadership.
What are the budgetary allowances?
Limited PI salary support may be considered.
Will support from other entities enhance the potential for funding?
Leveraging funding from this award by combining resources from other entities is encouraged but not required.
When will applicants receive notification of award?
Notification of award is expected by June 2026 and funds will be distributed contingent upon approval of the project from the local Institutional Review Board (IRB).
Awardee Expectations
Scientific Review and Monitoring Committee Approval:
Awardees must have obtained approval from the UFHCI Scientific Review and Monitoring Committee within 90 days of receiving notice of award. Failure to obtain SRMC approval in this time will result in the award being withdrawn and funds reallocated.
Publication Acknowledgement:
Shared Resource Acknowledgement:
It is expected that pilot awardees will utilize UFHCI Shared Resources. All publications utilizing UFHCI Shared Resources shall acknowledge that “Support was provided by the University of Florida Health Cancer Institute <INSERT SHARED RESOURCE>” and must be in PMCID compliance.
Data Sharing:
Scientific data (including the raw data) directly generated from this RFA must be submitted to the Cancer Data Commons for sharing and reuse with other UFHCI investigators, following the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse (FAIR) principles. The Cancer Informatics Shared Resource (CISR) will provide support in data management and assuring that study generated research data can be readily available in the Cancer Data Commons.
Presentations:
It is expected that pilot awardees will present on their research within the first 6 months of the project at a Community Advisory Board meeting. Additional presentation expectations will be outlined in the award letter.
Questions
Please direct any questions about the application process or budget requirements to ResearchAdmin@cancer.ufl.edu or 352-273-5940. For questions regarding research scope or other science related inquiries, contact Dr. Paul Crispen, UFHCC Associate Director for Clinical Investigations at Paul.Crispen@urology.ufl.edu.
* Cancer Institute membership is available and encouraged for all University of Florida investigators holding a faculty appointment and actively engaged, or demonstrate interest, in cancer-focused basic, clinical, translational, and population-based research.
