The PCARP Focused Pilot Award supports the exploration and development of impactful and innovative concepts under two patient-centered focus areas of pancreatic cancer research that could ultimately lead to major advancements that will have a profound effect on patients’ overall quality of life.Examples

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of studies appropriate for the PCARP Focused Pilot Award include, but are not limited to:Investigations into behaviors that affect access to health care,Correlations between mental health and/or cancer-related outcomes and quality of life,Strategies to overcome psycho-social issues,Behavioral studies that examine quality of life, decision-making and/or cognitive function research,Development and pilot testing of nutritional or educational interventions, and symptom management.To foster advancement in these understudied areas of research, preliminary data is allowed, but not required.

All projects should include a well-formulated, testable hypothesis based on strong scientific rationale.

Research supported by this award should strive to produce robust preliminary data that can be used as a foundation for future clinical or real-world research application.Clinical research studies are allowed; however, interventional clinical trials are beyond the scope of this funding mechanism and will not be supported.Preclinical animal studies do not meet the intent of the Focused Pilot Award mechanism.

PIs seeking this funding for this type of research should utilize one of the other FY23 PCARP mechanisms.Significant features of the Focused Pilot Award include:Impact:
The proposed research is expected to provide the scientific foundation that will ultimately lead to improved outcomes and quality of life for individuals with pancreatic cancer.

The project’s impact on both pancreatic cancer patient-centered research and care should be articulated, even if clinical impact is not an immediate outcome.Innovation:
Research deemed innovative may represent a new paradigm, challenge existing paradigms, look at existing problems from new perspectives, or exhibit other highly creative qualities.

Research may be innovative in study concept, research methods or technology, or adaptations of existing methods or technologies.

Research that represents an incremental advance on previously published work is not considered innovative.A congressionally mandated Metastatic Cancer Task Force was formed with the purpose of identifying ways to help accelerate clinical and translational research aimed at extending the lives of advanced state and recurrent patients.

As a member of the Metastatic Cancer Task Force, the CDMRP encourages applicants to review the recommendations (https://health.mil/Reference-Center/Congressional-Testimonies/2018/05/03/Metastatic-Cancer-Research) and submit research ideas to address these recommendations, provided they are within the limitations of this funding opportunity and fit within the FY23 PCARP Focused Pilot Award Focus Areas.Collaborations between researchers at military or Veterans institutions and non-military institutions are strongly encouraged.

These relationships can leverage knowledge, infrastructure, and access to unique clinical populations that the partners bring to the research effort, ultimately advancing cancer research that is of significance to the Warfighter, the military, military families, and the American public.