New grant call: Research program with focus on toxicity and late complications
The Swedish Childhood Cancer fund announces interprofessional research programs in toxicity and late complications for children affected by cancer.
Late complications affect approximately 70 percent of childhood cancer survivors and often do not show up until several years after completed treatment. Current knowledge on late complications is primarily from studies based on questionnaires without precise treatment data. Individual susceptibility has also not been studied to a sufficient extent. Yet there is a great need for interventions against, and prevention of, late complications.
The Swedish Childhood Cancer Fund has therefore started a strategic investment in pediatric oncology research programs focusing on toxicity and late complications. The purpose of the research programs is to encourage national constellations of interprofessional researchers with complementary skills to work together, towards a common research goal, preferably within international collaborations. Complementary competences may include oncologists, cardiologists, psychologists, or other skills that may benefit the program.
The objectives of the research programs must be increased knowledge about toxicity and late complications and/or new interventions for increased quality of life in children who have or will be affected by cancer. The program must have high relevance for childhood cancer survivors and pediatric oncology, with a particular focus on neurocognitive, cardiovascular or fertility related complications.
Who can apply?
Grants are sought by a constellation of interprofessional researchers and other applicants with complementary skills. One of the applicants will be the main applicant and the others are defined as co-applicants.
The research program should cover one of the following focus areas:
- Neurocognitive complications
- Cardiovascular complications
- Infertility related complications
The application is made in a two-step approach.
Step 1
First, a draft application is submitted for assessment. The draft application is submitted by the main applicant. Co-applicants are named in the application.
Submitted draft applications are assessed by experts based by the following criteria:
- The objectives relevance to childhood cancer and childhood cancer research within the focus area to which the current application relates.
- Main applicants and co-applicants’ complementary skills.
- Feasibility of the program
If the draft application is recommended, the main applicant will be allowed to submit a complete application.
Step 2
Complete applications are submitted via the Swedish Childhood Cancer Funds application system by the main applicant with other participants as active co-applicants. The complete application includes a program description of a maximum of 10 A4 pages.
Received complete applications are assessed by expert based on the following criteria:
- Goals
- Methodology
- Competence/feasibility
- Relevance to childhood cancer and childhood cancer research
Under the competence/feasibility criterion, the co-applicant’s competence is evaluated. The childhood cancer relevance must lie within the program’s focus on toxicity and late complications and within any of the three focus areas presented.
How much can be applied for?
A total of SEK 16 million is available to apply for in this call, which may finance one to two research programs. Applications can include grants that span between one and four years. The goal is that research programs in all three focus areas (neurocognitive, cardiovascular, and fertility-related complications) should be supported within a 5-year period. Focus areas that are not prioritized during this round can be prioritized in a future call.
Grants can for example be applied for operating costs, traveling, salary costs and indirect costs.