Request for Applications (RFA) for CREATE Pilot Funding
The San Diego State University/ UC San Diego Cancer Research and Education to Advance HealTh Equity (CREATE) Partnership is soliciting applications from SDSU and UCSD faculty co-researchers for pilot research projects for the 2025-2026 grant cycles. Pending continued CREATE funding from NCI, pilot awards are up to $240,000 in Direct Costs ($120,000 total direct per year, or $60,000 direct per institution per year, for a project period of up to two years).
The overarching goal of CREATE is to advance cancer health equity in underserved communities throughout the southern California border communities of San Diego and Imperial Counties. CREATE aims to further increase SDSU’s cancer research capacities and expand SDSU’s and UCSD’s emphasis on cancer health disparities research, while also developing cancer research opportunities and pathways for undergraduate, graduate, and medical students as well as early-stage investigators (ESIs). We are interested in funding projects that are consistent with the goal of the Partnership.
AWARD INFORMATION
Pilot project funding is intended to support a two-researcher team of Co-Leaders, one from SDSU and one from UCSD, who will develop a mid-scale (R21-like) hypothesis-driven research proposal including data collection and analysis; implementation, scale-up, or new applications of developed protocols; further development of existing partnerships; etc., with the expectation that preliminary findings will support proposals for additional funding.
Pilot projects may be in any research discipline - basic, clinical, translational, and/or all areas of population science (epidemiology, behavioral science, etc.). Projects must have a focus on one or more of CREATE’s priority cancer areas: lung, breast, prostate, cervix, gastrointestinal (colorectal, liver, pancreas). Research may focus on socioeconomically disadvantaged populations in San Diego and/or Imperial Counties. Partnerships and subawards for community partner organizations are especially encouraged. Pilot awards must include one Co-Leader from SDSU and one from UCSD, as well as a Community Co-Leader when applicable.
Pending continued CREATE funding from NCI, pilot awards are up to $120,000 total direct costs per year, or $60,000 direct per institution per year, for a project period of up to two years. No indirect costs are allowed. For projects including community partners, a subaward will be required using funding from the $120,000 annual total. In this case, allocations to each institution may be adjusted. Funds are anticipated to be disbursed by end of calendar year 2025, after proposal reviews. When applicable, human or animal subjects research must have obtained IRB/IACUC approval prior to disbursal of funds.